Paris: July 14 Evening (Part 10 of imec in France)

[imec]

After our leisurely day on the Canal St. Martin, we decided to check out the park across the road from our hotel - Parc Monceau. As we approached the park gate I couldn't resist a picture of this very nice little original Mini - complete with its owners novel approach to addressing the dangers of the appalling parking habits of Parisian drivers. His wee mate across the road, the cute little Fiat 500 followed suit.










Parc Monceau is a beautiful park with plenty of open space, picturesque trees and much interesting statuary, stonework and ironwork.


























This was precisely in the middle of our vacation and I love to look back at the relaxed look on everyone's face. Even got the seriouss little man to begrudgingly crack a smile.
















The locals have varying approaches to r and r...






We came across some folks playing a game I had never seen - apparently of Finnish origin. We all had a go, but couldn't quite figure out if the object was to knock down as many or as few as the standing sticks. Using a trick I learned from and early post by kerouac, I wrote the email address of one of the players in the sand and photographed it in order that I could send them pictures of their game.








I love how the sight of a play structure still turns even my "little lady" into my little girl again. Young Mr. imec was less than enthusistic about drinking from the fountain after he later saw a guy letting his dog piss on it.








We all agreed we might consider abandoning our beloved home on Winnipeg's Red River for a chance to live in these parkside digs (I'd be interested if kerouac could give us some rough idea as to the price of such accomodation).








As night began to fall we left the park as it would soon be time for the July 14th fireworks!

[imec]

Anyone who was been in Paris for the July 14th festivities will at this point be thinking "that idiot imec has left it WAY too late to get a decent viewing spot at the Champ de Mars to view the fireworks". Well, I had long since abandoned any such plan and decided that we would have a pretty good view of the firewroks from the kids' room at the hotel. We acquired some bread, cheese, charcuterie and wine earlier in the day, set up our little picnic in the room and flung open the large windows to watch the magnificent pyrotechnics from what was to us, like a private box at the opera! (we are very grateful to the ADT Hilton's Executive Floor Manager for arring this room for us - one of VERY few at the hotel with such a view).

[patricklondon]

I love the statues in the Parc Monceau, especially the one with the pianist - I think it ought to be captioned "Oh God, not "Chopsticks" again! Don't you know anything else?"

[imec]

;D good one PL!

Apparently it's Chopin - not sure if he wrote that

[Deleted]

Yes, the piano statue struck me as well.

You were very lucky to see the fireworks from your hotel window. The main thing that many people who view from afar do not realize is the major effort put into the musical accompaniment of the fireworks, which you can only appreciate from the Champ de Mars, where the sound system is set up.

Synchronizing music to fireworks is a very impressive and tricky science.

[imec]

Sept 12, 2009 18:51:10 GMT kerouac2 said:

The main thing that many people who view from afar do not realize is the major effort put into the musical accompaniment of the fireworks, which you can only appreciate from the Champ de Mars, where the sound system is set up.

Yes, I did realize we would be sacrificing that - but after hearing the horror story told by an American couple who took their kids to the CDM, I'm comfortable with the decision we made. And it's possible to see it with the sound on youtube now as well so, not a bad consolation.

[Deleted]

Too many people try to get too close for some strange reason. Obviously one needs to back up from the Eiffel Tower to get a better view, but they make a fireworks mosh pit down in front. (Of course this year they had a reason, if they wanted to see the Johnny Hallyday concert before the fireworks.)

[patricklondon]

they make a fireworks mosh pit down in front. (Of course this year they had a reason, if they wanted to see the Johnny Hallyday concert

A mosh pit, or an old folks' day centre?

[bixaorellana]

Ha! Patrick took the words right out of my mouth.

Imec, out of all the glorious, artistic, expository threads you've done of your trip to France, this one instantly became my favorite.

You convey a kind of expansive mellowness that is delightful even at this remove. The pictures, from the whimsy of marine bumpers on the little cars, to the impossibly lush trees of the park, to the very personal angles and closeups, are a joy. (I love the one taken as you left the park at dusk!) It's all wonderful. Thank you for letting us share in your trip like this.

[imec]

Wow, thanks bixa! And I thought everyone was getting tired of my trip.

[lola]

Amazing, imec. So lucky to get this glimpse of the 14th through your trip. I had no idea they'd light the ET like that. Thanks!

[lagatta]

It is a great work of art (landscaping, art and features placement) to create the impression of "plenty of open space" in Parc Monceau, as if you look on the map it is not a very large park.

It looks as if the Mini and the wee Cinquecento are having a romance. That could be a children's book. I'm glad their owners have provided cushions for them!

[patricklondon]

It's a bit of a cheek, but I thought it worth adding my own Parc Monceau statue - at the time I thought he might be thinking "Did I leave the gas on?" while she's saying "But, Daddy, I really really NEED those shoes"

[lagatta]

You mean they've already erected a monument to imec père and imec fille?

imec, this is a travel board - I'm certainly not tired of your trip report, and like detailed ones as they show aspects of the city we may not be familiar with, even those of us who know Paris fairly well.

[Deleted]

There are always things to learn. I absolutely love to look at Paris through the eyes of a tourist because it is quite difficult for me to see it that way myself now.

[Deleted]

Imec, I am only just this evening getting to really sit down and view these Paris threads of yours(too inconvenient while online at the library in NY)and I have so thoroughly enjoyed,all of it. Never got tired of looking or reading anything.As lagatta stated,this is a travel forum and all your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Nice to look back like you said and see the relaxed looks on your loved ones.
Merci!