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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2009 6:09:56 GMT
That was Aboubakar Diop, who created the Vis@vis cybercafé. It has since disappeared but he hit the jackpot just because of the name. Vivendi Universal lauched a portal with great fanfare about six months after Diop opened his place, and its name was Vizzavi. Since Vivendi was risking trademark infringement, they paid many million euros to buy the Vis@vis name. Diop went back to Senegal and started a bus company.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 11:32:30 GMT
Back in post #28 I am again amazed that this was taken out of the same exact window! You must have freaked when you saw this,that's incredible! I meant to reply back then on it and got sidetracked. Now viewing it again, I am equally amazed.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 13:19:17 GMT
Just a little update on the street works. They have already planted the new trees. The group of people waiting in front of one of the doors are the early arrivals for help at the France Terre d'Asile refugee agency. Most of the arrivals these days are Afghan, Iraqi and Srilankan. More and more parking spaces are being removed to provide hitching posts for bicycles.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 27, 2009 14:40:03 GMT
That is wonderful news - twenty years ago I'd never have bet on Paris becoming a cycle-friendly city. I cycled with a friend of mine who lives not so very far from you (he was in the 19th then, now he's in the northwest of the 20th, but all Belleville-Ménilmont area - not really up on the frontier between the two) but wouldn't have done it in central Paris. This friend and I were both activists for making Montral a more cyclable city, in the association "Le monde à bicyclette".
No surprise that people want to flee Iraq, Afghanistan or Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankans I've met in Europe recently (they were speaking about the conflict there) have been subjected to many death threats; sad how such a beautiful place has become so violent and perillous.
And I hope the trees can thrive. That narrow street looks just wide enough for through traffic and emergency vehicles.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 14:46:18 GMT
They are just leaving one lane for traffic, which completely excludes any thought of double parking.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 28, 2009 22:17:56 GMT
Yes, I can see that. I think that in many cases that is a better option for traffic-calming than completely pedestrian streets - the latter can work well in areas with a lot of pedestrians, like near Beaubourg, but even for those of us who would like to have the car occupy a much smaller place in cities can see the need for emergecies, deliveries, accomodating those disabled people and frail elderly who will never really be able to use public transport, no matter how family and disabled-friendly it becomes (like the new trams in Amsterdam, just for example, though I'm sure the new trams in Paris would be similar).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2009 21:30:25 GMT
I've been waiting for them to finish the damned street, but clearly they have a different work plan from the one I had decided. The first section of the street has been reopened, but I was expecting them to repave the sidewalks and finish the new lamp posts, but clearly they are going to do that in one big bundle when they have finished the next two blocks. Anyway, here is what the street looked like this afternoon. I also noticed that the new main streetlights have been put up on the sides of the buildings, but that the old ones have not yet been removed since they are still in service (the lamp post lights are just for decoration, not for real utility). New curbing stones are awaiting installation at the next section. This is all rather difficult work, so I do understand why the entire street (maybe a little more than a kilometer in length) is not due to be finished until December. Some of the most impressive maneuvering that I have seen is that done by the garbage trucks, which must still pick up the garbage from the buildings even when the street is closed.
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Post by lagatta on Apr 22, 2009 0:26:43 GMT
Interesting. See there are a lot of bicycle-parking posts. Odd work plan though.
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Post by spaman on May 27, 2009 21:24:07 GMT
I think that all your picture essays are wonderful. We will be in Paris in September and look forward to seeing your "subjects" personally.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 28, 2009 0:05:51 GMT
And we'll look forward to reading and looking at your trip report(s), Spaman!
Have you been to Paris many times? It's always interesting to see how places are perceived by different people.
I see you're from Long Island. There is another Long Islander in AnyPort ~~ I'll leave you to find out who it is.
At any rate ~~ welcome!
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Post by spaman on May 28, 2009 0:09:38 GMT
We've been to Paris once (1995) on a tour. We were there for one night so we went to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge, etc. This time we intend to walk around the city for 5 days and try to find some of the places that kerouac has photographed.
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Post by lagatta on May 28, 2009 21:00:36 GMT
A French rapper (Kwal), "là où j'habite - similar title and not too dissimilar neighbourhood from this thread... This is transcribed in prose form, but there are a lot of rhymes and it is very rhythmic. You can find a lot of videoclips, but my computer is screwed up so I can't view them, so I won't send any...
By the way, there is one of the art nouveau entrances at a métro station here. Think it was a gift for Expo '67.
Kwal – Là où j’habite
Là où j'habite, ce n’est pas bien grand et pas bien luxueux, mais j'aime bien : c'est des apparts, et au milieu, il y a une cour toute petite. Là où j'habite les voisins ne sont jamais loin, tous les jours on se fait bonjour et dans son coin chacun s'agite.
C'est sympa, là où j'habite, puis il y a un coté cosmopolite, un petit parfum d'Afrique, parce que, parmi mes voisins, il y une famille de Guinéens...chaque fois que je les croise c'est magique... Ils parlent frannçais et malinké dans leurs beaux boubous en bazin. La France d'en haut balance des phrases sur des bruits et des odeurs, moi je vois ces gens polis, travailleurs, presque toujours de bonne humeur. Le père il a l'air de bosser dur et tard, et le soir, ses enfants s'amusent dans la cour ou sur le trottoir. Ils ont des jeux de gamins et quand ils crient un peu trop fort, il y a la maman jamais très loin derrière...elle leur fait signe de se taire! Là où j'habite, il y a le voisin du numéro trois, alors lui c'est un cas : emmerdeur comme pas deux, et 100% gaulois. Il est debout bien avant le soleil, il voudrait qu'on fasse tous pareil, du coup, dès qu'il se réveille, il fonce dans la cour s'en prendre à nos oreilles : "allez debout les sales nègres, je vous emmerde bande de feignants!" Et il frappe sur leur porte et il les insulte allègrement. Et personne ne dit rien... Et moi non plus... Forcément parce qu'il est méchant, ça c'est sûr, c'est un cauchemar pour le voisinage, mais tout le monde le ménage, c'est qu'il a une maladie des méninges... On pourrait cogner dessus... ça le rendrait pas plus sage! Mais lui pour qu'ils le vire il faudrait qu'il tue quelqu'un, et quand je l'entends gueuler, des fois, je me dis qu'il ne va pas tarder à y venir. Mais les négros comme il le dit, entre chez eux et chez lui, le mur, il est épais comme du papier et lui il a des insomnies alors même la nuit c’est une teigne ! Et eux, ils subissent tout le temps ses conneries… et jamais ils se plaignent… Là où j’habite… Là où j’habite…, c’est petit mais c’est pas ça le pire : Un jour, gêné, le père guinéen vient me voir avec un papier à me faire remplir, sinon lui est sa famille ils allaient devoir partir… Ben ouais des papiers, ils en avaient pas assez pour rester en France et on les menaçait d’être expulsés. Ils avaient reçu un courrier de m’sieur le ministre de l’intérieur, signé Nicolas en personne, et Nicolas dans son petit papelard, il emploie un ton autoritaire à faire peur… et moi je me demande plus si ce gars là a des rêves de dictateur… Nicolas c’est aux voisins qu’il demandait d’attester que les guinéens étaient intégrés et qu’ils méritaient de rester ! Moi ça m’a fait penser au passé… A une autre époque on avait demandé aux voisins de dénoncer. Ca avait fini avec des étoiles jaunes mais c’est comme ça que ça avait commencé ! Là où j’habite… Et puis un jour mes voisins de Guinée sont partis… je les ai jamais revus… On les a ramenés en Guinée, parce que de toute façon, les papiers à faire signer, c’était pour les recenser, pas pour qu’ils puissent rester ! Mais le gars du numéro trois il est encore là… il a plus de nègres à insulter, mais lui on peut pas le virer : il est gaulois, il a des droits, pour lui il y a des lois. Là où j’habite, maintenant ça craint : il y a toujours l’autre pour nous faire chier, mais il y a plus de gamins dans la cour, plus de malinké, plus de bazin ! Elle est pas drôle mon histoire… elle est même triste… mais elle est authentique… Et j’ai pas été la chercher bien loin… Tout juste… là où j’habite…
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 21:07:45 GMT
The "now-in-political-disgrace" rapper Doc Gynéco used to live on my street and one of his first songs was about it.
Ma Rue
Ma rue est bourrée de vices, À chacun ses délices, à chacun sa 8.6. Dans ma rue, les lascars se serrent la main, Ce n'est pas comme dans le show biz, ou les mecs se font la bise. Dans ma rue, les chinois s'entraident et se tiennent par la main, Les youpins s'éclatent et font des magasins, Et tous les lascars fument sur les mêmes joints. Dans ma rue, c'est un pub pour Benetton, Et tout le monde écoute les mêmes son à fond, Mangeur de cacher ou de saucisson. Dans ma rue, je suis posé, je marche tranquille dans la ville, J'esquive les civils et reste patron du style. À chacun sa banlieue, la mienne, je l'aime, Et elle s'appelle le 18ème.
Dans ma rue, pour communiquer il faut être trilingue, Et faire attention quand on marche sur des seringues, Se méfier des dingues, qui sortent leurs flingues. Dans ma rue, les péripapéticiennes craquent pour du crack, Les pompiers les réveillent en leur mettant des claques. Personne ne veut tenter le bouche à bouche, Les clodos s'échappent, pour ne pas prendre de douche. Dans ma rue, le vendeur de grec veut nous empoisonner, Sa viande est bizarre, son huile est périméé. Comme moi l'épicier fait ses courses à ED, Il me revend les mêmes produits que j'achète l'après midi, Quatre ou cinq fois plus cher, la nuit. Dans ma rue, ça vole, ça viole, Mais qu'est ce que tu veux, à chacun sa banlieue, La mienne je l'aime et elle s'appelle...
Porte de la Chapelle, ou terminus, Tout le monde descend reste ou prend son bus. Bienvenue dans ma rue ou la crasse colle à tes pieds Sur le trottoir comme de la glu. Bienvenue dans ma rue, ou les pigeons meurent dans le caniveau, À force de manger du dégueuli de toxico. Dans ma rue, autant de flics que de mecs cocus. Le coiffeur raconte des blagues au dealer, Les policiers donnent des planques aux voleurs, Le facteur aide le maquereau à relever les compteurs. J'ai été élu président de ma rue, J'ai placé mes ministres, tout le monde est corrompu. À chacun sa banlieue, la mienne je l'aime, Et elle s'appelle le 18ème.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 21:16:18 GMT
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Post by lagatta on May 28, 2009 21:26:56 GMT
Ha! Another of your posts explained "la 8.6" - that overly strong beer the supposedly halal kebab places sell.
That could be just about any multiethnic, working-class neighbourhood anyshere. I have my share of shitheads who let their pitbulls run loose and terrify children and old ladies. But there is also a lovely lady (Chinese, or Vietnamese?) who always has red flowers on the windowsill of her tiny flat.
The little corner grocery shops run by immigrant families that sell stuff four times as expensive as the discount stores where they buy them are called "dépanneurs" in Québec. Yes, of course it also refers to emergency towing or car repair, as in France. We knew a couple who owned a "dépanneur" who were stabbed to death late in the evening by a thief. They were from Lebanon and had fled the civil war there.
If you think your épiceries "chez l'Arabe" or "chez le Chinois" or our dépanneurs are overpriced, you haven't experienced the Amsterdam "night shops", infinitely worse with less choice. But their regular supermarket opening hours are far more regulated.
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gyllenhaalic
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Post by gyllenhaalic on May 29, 2009 1:45:08 GMT
I think that all your picture essays are wonderful. We will be in Paris in September and look forward to seeing your "subjects" personally. Hi, spaman! I, too, will be in Paris with my sister in September: the 15th to the 22nd. We will be two older ladies with white hair trying to blend in, enjoying French wine at sidewalk cafes and watching out for pickpockets. I hope your trip is absolutely spectacular, as I'm sure it will be and we can compare notes when we get back!
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Post by spaman on May 29, 2009 1:52:35 GMT
Gyll,
I will try to keep a log on my computer and upload it when I get back. I really enjoy this sight and really feel welcome here.
Enjoy your trip!
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Post by traveler63 on Jun 4, 2009 15:43:35 GMT
Spaman: My husband and I will be in Paris for a month starting mid September. We are making our third trip and have rented an apartment near the Opera Garner. We rented from Glenn Cooper's site. Maybe we will all run into each other at some point. We have talked about spending more time in Paris, so I would love to hear from some of you who do live there to share with us how you came to make the move.
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Post by spaman on Jun 4, 2009 16:07:39 GMT
We will be in Paris Sept. 26 - Oct. 1st and will be staying at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc in the 6e. If any one has personal knowledge if this hotel feel free to let me know about it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2009 23:29:55 GMT
Looks like September will be busy this year. It currently appears that my brother and my two nephews may be coming to Paris then as well. (If they nephews come, I will probably have to transport them down to Hossegor or some other surf spot, however -- I know where their priorities lie.)
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gyllenhaalic
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Post by gyllenhaalic on Jun 5, 2009 15:41:15 GMT
My sister and I will be staying at the Melia Colbert Boutique hotel within a stone's throw of Notre-Dame. If anyone has any knowledge of this one, I'd sure love to hear about it. TIA.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2009 17:09:28 GMT
Never heard of that place. How big is the stone?
(Meanwhile, I know that I still have a few photos of my neighborhood 'then' and 'now' and I should finish posting them. We can start another thread on hotels and restaurants if there's any interest in it.)
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gyllenhaalic
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Post by gyllenhaalic on Jun 5, 2009 19:00:48 GMT
Well, the stone would have to be a pebble that you could lob a short block. The M-C BH is located one block southwest of the Quai de Montebello. It's a 19th-century 40-room mansion that looks very pretty. It is just to the east of l'eglise St.-Julien-Le-Pauvre.
Sorry to get off-topic, I bet there would be lots of interest in another thread about hotel/restaurants.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2009 19:11:26 GMT
Oh well, then it is just a "hotel in the Latin Quarter." (A lot of them are very nice and nobody will ever say that they are not in a perfect location.)
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 6, 2009 4:51:16 GMT
I believe several people here would enjoy and benefit from reading Jazz's lively, useful accounts of Paris on a Budget. Check out both Part 1 and Part 2.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 8, 2009 14:33:48 GMT
They are certainly useful to me - I could never afford any of the places mentioned just above. Still don't know whether I'm going to Amsterdam this summer, in which case I'll do a stop in Paris as I haven't been there for about 4 years and miss it. Looking either for a small studio to rent or a hotel with a wee kitchenette, but cheap, preferably in eastern Paris as most of my friends live around there.
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Post by bjd on Jun 8, 2009 19:57:41 GMT
Here is a place I bookmarked a whle ago, Lagatta: studio
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Post by lagatta on Jun 9, 2009 15:39:11 GMT
That looks great, bjd. Have you actually visited it?
It even has an internet connection which is very useful if I should have work to do, and simply to stay in touch without having to find an internet café or somewhere with WiFi.
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Post by bjd on Jun 9, 2009 19:05:30 GMT
I bookmarked it at the time (when it cost a bit less) because I thought we might need a place to stay while our apartment was rented out. I thought it sounded good, although I haven't visited the place. It's more or less across the street so I can at least vouch for the neighbourhood. It used to be 350 euros a week, but even now, given that it has a kitchen, if you stay a week, it doesn't come out too expensive for Paris. And the Marché Aligre (one of the cheapest in Paris) is just across the faubourg and around the corner.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 9, 2009 20:18:16 GMT
Yes, I am familiar with that area. A friend used to own an import shop nearby, but I believe it has closed. So familiar with le marché d'Aligre and the shops surrounding it. There is also a Monoprix very close by - of course that is more expensive but they have some nice things.
I'm unlikely to do much better than 400 a week with Internet access, though of course I'd try, as our money is not worth a lot now. The kitchen is a huge saving - I have no desire to eat out all the time. I like markets as much if not more than I like restaurants.
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