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Post by tod2 on Nov 19, 2014 4:23:49 GMT
I'm all 'fluffied' out - What a colourful show! You are absolutely right about 2010 - genius! the music suited perfectly for those waiters running around with the cakes - I particularly like the two ghosts floating in the air chasing the waiter.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 18:58:58 GMT
The Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame is being donated by the Federation of Russia this year, saving the diocese 80,000 euros. They tried to get Austria and Ukraine to donate a tree, but it is Russia that came through.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 15:24:08 GMT
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Post by bjd on Nov 27, 2014 16:05:53 GMT
I thought Forum des Halles had closed down? Is it already the new version?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 17:22:28 GMT
No, it never closed. Most of the work is on top of it, although they have been closing about 10% of the stores for a month or two for some restructuring. Since they have raised the ceiling considerably in the old part of the Forum, they have to put in completely new store windows and signs as they go. The tree is in the "new" part of the Forum which opened in the 1990's (the old part dates from 1979).
As for the new project, it won't be fully completed until 2018 although most of the stuff will be open by 2016.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 28, 2014 1:29:18 GMT
Oh goody ~~ more! That tree is really fun, as is the bright blue walkway. Less than a month of shopping days until Christmas!
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2014 4:33:23 GMT
It's amazing what can be achieved with those tubes of LED lights. I think it looks wonderfully colourful against the darkish tunnels of the shopping center.
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Post by lagatta on Nov 28, 2014 16:33:58 GMT
Yes, they don't use much energy either, compared to the older kinds.
Is Les Halles still a rather dodgy hangout?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 20:09:05 GMT
I have never considered it dodgy, but it appears that many people over the age of 40 sometimes feel uncomfortable there, probably because they drag the average age up.
I made the effort of going to the Champs Elysées tonight, so those will be the next pictures coming up. I was surprised that they have been able to expand the Christmas market, which was already huge.
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Post by lagatta on Nov 28, 2014 23:32:48 GMT
I was well under 40 at the time. I'm talking about seeing people shooting up heroin, that sort of thing. And a handbag snatching, though of course that can happen anywhere.
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Post by lola on Nov 28, 2014 23:40:50 GMT
Very fun, Kerouac. Thank you.
Love the G. Lafayette tree. And the Printemps upside-down London thing.
Two Christmases ago, when my husband was looking for a certain kind of jeans as worn by the street musicians in Place des Vosges, we fought the after-Christmas sardine-like afternoon crowds to get him to G.L. men's department. It's hard to feel the same about the place since then, and if I'd had to look at monsters in addition... November might be the time to venture inside.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 17:15:53 GMT
I was well under 40 at the time. I'm talking about seeing people shooting up heroin, that sort of thing. And a handbag snatching, though of course that can happen anywhere. There are far more people shooting up heroin in outer Paris than in the centre of the city. I know where to go to see people doing that or smoking crack within 5 minutes of my apartment, but I don't know where to see it at Les Halles. Handbag snatching is reserved mostly for more affluent areas like the Champs Elysées or Saint Germain des Prés. Of course it can be done anywhere. Les Halles mostly got trashed by people who did not spend any time there. Most of the bad reputation was in the 1980's when there were lots of clubs there as well as a regiment of the sex industry on patrol. One thing that the area has always had is a large number of homeless vagrants, because it is a great place to beg.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 17:25:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 18:20:34 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 29, 2014 19:26:05 GMT
Twinkly! Pretty! Despite the fact that Christmas is still a month away, it looks pretty cold in Paris so I guess the lights cheer everyone up.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 20:17:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 21:52:18 GMT
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Post by lola on Nov 29, 2014 22:03:35 GMT
My husband said the other day he'd give a million dollars to be back at that Christmas market with all of us together. (I was surprised at that, and not just because I doubt he has that much tucked away.)
I'd settle for some raclette, and vin chaud in a paper cup, please.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 22:11:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 22:55:58 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 29, 2014 22:57:32 GMT
Just once, dressed warmly and with a nice cup of vin chaud in hand, I'd like to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas in Paris. Nice photos, Kerouac!
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Post by mich64 on Nov 29, 2014 23:41:56 GMT
The lit trees look like champagne glasses with the lights being bubbles. So many beautiful light displays and the food looks delicious!
The man in the Santa hat serving up the cone, what is in the cone, fries? Squiggly looking.
I love peppermint candy canes!
Candy apples, I have tried them twice, once with a candy red coating, horrible and the second was caramel. I ate all the caramel, took a few bites of the apple and that was it. I have not had cravings since, however, a chocolate covered ones might change my mind.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 23:46:29 GMT
Those things in the cone are churros, a Spanish speciality. They are extruded into hot oïl, but basically the batter is the same as a doughnut.
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Post by lagatta on Nov 30, 2014 1:39:49 GMT
Kerouac, yes back then it was a lot dodgier around Stalingrad, but I'm talking 30 years ago. (That area has gentrified significantly). But the only time I ever felt at risk in Paris was hardcore sexual harassment, and that is really universal for women under 30, whatever the city, country or continent.
I have never thought of Paris as a dangerous destination.
"Hot Wine" sounds strange in English. Isn't it usually "mulled wine"?
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Post by bjd on Nov 30, 2014 7:12:40 GMT
I think many non-native-English-speaking tourists in France would not know what "mulled" wine is, but would understand "hot" wine. Besides, French translations are still often quite odd.
Kerouac, do you see many people actually buying things, or are they just walking around and browsing? That trailer selling hats and berets looks like something that wandered in from some provincial weekly market.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2014 7:20:29 GMT
I saw people buying lots of things to eat (it was 7pm) but most of them were not shopping the way they'll be doing in December.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2014 7:33:03 GMT
You would need a sharp eye to spot it in my photos, but all of the commercial banners on the Champs Elysées are for the Chinese bank card UnionPay, even though only one store in France accepts it for the moment -- Printemps department store. Clearly things are destined to change before long. It is also accepted by the ATMs of two major banks -- Crédit Agricole and Caisse d'Epargne.
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Post by lugg on Nov 30, 2014 19:39:07 GMT
Me too, although it would have to be mid December at least Really enjoyed seeing and reading your fab post - thank you K2
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 22:01:23 GMT
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Post by lola on Dec 4, 2014 2:02:46 GMT
Glorious, K. Thank you.
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