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Post by lagatta on Dec 6, 2013 23:36:28 GMT
I see that Al-Ajami is Lebanese. Obviously there are a lot of Orthodox Christians in that country, but Nordic Christmas decorations at a posh Arab place are ... a bit singular.
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Post by fumobici on Dec 7, 2013 3:51:33 GMT
Pedal taxis were common in occupied Paris. Those that could afford to would be pulled by a tandem bicycle as it was faster.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2013 11:56:57 GMT
Many of the chic streets like to unify the style of the decorations on the shops. On rue François 1er for example, the merchants' association clearly proposed branches with balls of electric mistletoe. This is basically a continuation of the new style that avenue Montaigne has displayed for the past couple of years.
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Post by tod2 on Dec 7, 2013 13:43:57 GMT
This is my first glimpse at Paris 2013 and I can't wait to put your videos on Full Screen again and show my grandsons! It is one of my dearest wishes to take them to Paris to see this wonderful annual sight and secondly to ride a dozen carousels! You have done a remarkable job once again Kerouac and I can't thank you enough.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2013 17:36:32 GMT
It is quite possible that most of the items are still being made in China (or its subcontracting countries), but the municipality of Paris has clearly become quite severe in the requirement of everything being sold to be a holiday item or at least "gift related." Frankly, the only items that I saw on sale that did not immediately make me think of Christmas gifts were that stands selling sweaters -- and of course I know that jumpers are among the principal gifts given in the Northern Hemisphere at Christmas.
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Post by htmb on Dec 7, 2013 17:46:37 GMT
Absolutely gorgeous photographs, Kerouac.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2013 18:09:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2013 21:02:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2013 21:10:03 GMT
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Post by mez on Dec 8, 2013 9:54:36 GMT
Great photos as always, Kerouac.
Can I ask what is a chi-chi? I'm not familiar with the term. It's for sale next to the waffles at one of the stalls.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 8, 2013 13:45:06 GMT
I thought it just meant that the waffles were chichi, but it also seems to refer to a type of fritter.
Vin chaud rosé seems just wrong...
Montorgueil was never cheap but it seems far more chi-chi now than 20 or 30 years ago.
I always like the lights in Paris - rarely overdone. It would be very dark without them - Paris is considerably north of Montréal, though our winters are far worse.
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Post by woody77 on Dec 13, 2013 9:42:31 GMT
Montorgueil has gotten more expensive now that it's winter. Or if it was expensive in the summer, it was still reasonable compared to San Francisco prices. The lights at night are really quite nice, until they start flashing, they're sequenced so that they all flash in unison, or in patterns... I need to get out after dark with the camera.
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Post by bjd on Dec 13, 2013 10:26:39 GMT
I have never actually been on the rue Montorgueil. I did read a book by some Australian woman who married a Frenchman and felt as though she didn't belong until they moved from wherever to beside the rue Montorgueil and she could shop there "like a real Parisian" and people would compliment her on her little dog. I'm always impressed by your dedication in doing this photographic duty, Kerouac. The avocados were reasonable but who the hell buys cherries in December anyway?
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Post by lagatta on Dec 13, 2013 13:37:39 GMT
Well, I keep seeing asparagus at Marché Jean-Talon (in my Montréal neighbourhood). It is imported from Peru. I love asparagus, but wait until spring for our local production. I also saw tiny green beans from Guatemala. Not as far as Peru, but a very poor country.
I do buy Mexican avocados - like coffee, they don't grow here in any season. But green beans and asparagus grow beautifully here. Just not now.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 14:09:07 GMT
I will be making a new evening outing shortly.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 22:44:23 GMT
So I did make a point of going out after dark tonight. I remain astonished at the bad press that the Gare du Nord-Gare de l'Est area receives from certain visitors. They call the area 'sleazy' and do not feel comfortable there. I just wonder what they are seeing. For example, I consider the Marché Saint Quentin to be the best covered market in Paris, and it is right smack between those two train stations.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 22:51:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 22:56:33 GMT
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Post by bjd on Dec 14, 2013 9:16:11 GMT
Has the Samaritaine been turned into a mall? I see Zara and other shops inside.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 9:33:42 GMT
Two of the Samaritaine buildings were "reprocessed" already about 10 years ago (the store used to cover 5 separate buildings). As for the 'new' Samaritaine, after all these years, they have finally begun work on the project. At the moment they are demolishing the building on rue de Rivoli (visible in the photo with the white tarp covering it), which will be completely rebuilt.
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Post by tod2 on Dec 14, 2013 10:58:23 GMT
Oh I am gutted that the beautiful old Samartain building with it's iron girders inside will no longer be there!
Can't get enough of these lovely Xmas photos Kerouac - the name of the little bridge linking the two isles is .....yes, I bet you have recollected it now - Pont St.Louis!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 11:21:45 GMT
Oh I am gutted that the beautiful old Samartain building with it's iron girders inside will no longer be there! The good building facing the Seine will remain -- but it will be a luxury hotel.
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Post by tod2 on Dec 14, 2013 13:07:39 GMT
That makes me feel better....even if I never get to stay there
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Dec 16, 2013 14:43:45 GMT
Thank you so much !!! I am so excited. I walk that bridge every day when we are in Paris! The tree in front of Notre Dame is a bit of a monster - the one they had 2 years ago was a bit more "elegant" shall I say LOL. Thanks for trying to get it all in one shot!
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Post by lola on Dec 21, 2013 18:57:59 GMT
Nice one, sk8r. More elegant indeed, though this year's is plenty gorgeous. There wasn't room for a big tree last year, I think, because of the bleachers. Unless there was one that I didn't notice. I see that the rose window monolith is still there to the west, but not lit in K's photo.
We love these photos, K. It's because of you that last year I went from thinking, "Christmas in Paris? No way." to "Hmm...Christmas in Paris." and finally to the "Yes! I'll find tickets" phase.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2013 20:30:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2013 20:37:58 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 22, 2013 22:31:03 GMT
SO pretty & so much fun! So nice to sit cozily at home and still get to see all this Christmas dazzle. This is Boulevard Beaumarchais leaving from Bastille, but obviously things like this must be seen after dark. Maybe so, but what a beautiful, beautiful photo! If I had to pick a favorite, I'd say the Rond Point des Champs Elysées display should be used over & over, as it's so radiantly satisfying. That rain of lights off the Bon Marché store is awfully nice, too.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2013 9:14:23 GMT
Okay, it will never match Gangnam Style or Wrecking Ball, but I am pleased to say that the Galeries Lafayette video has now passed the mark of more than 10,000 views around the world.
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Post by mossie on Dec 24, 2013 10:39:51 GMT
Thanks for the shots of the XIXe and XXe Mairies, and for making me wish that I had kept to my dream of visiting them at this time. Their decorations have improved from what I recall a few years back.
I can console myself with the thought that I will be able to see them again in April, cannot wait.
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