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Post by tod2 on Jul 6, 2015 16:37:44 GMT
Har Har! Questa, I think this would be just up your alley. A few years ago I found a website dealing with GEO-CACHING. I was intrigued and found that there was a teeny box hidden in Parc de la Turlure behind Sacre Coeur. I went to look for it - I even had a photo of where it was located. But, to my dismay I could not find it. Maybe removed by someone NASTY!!! Since then I have asked NYCgirl to leave me a scribbled note in a animal hide in the Kruger National Park. I found the one but not the other as the hide had been renovated. That was SO AWESOME!! I am hoping some dear person in Paris will write a short note for me to find.....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 16:46:21 GMT
Well, I would do it, but it is much easier for us to see each other again. But I might be able to give some ideas to other visitors between now and then.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 6, 2015 17:25:01 GMT
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Post by htmb on Jul 6, 2015 17:43:25 GMT
Surely someone will have some ideas. Interesting story about the "ballerina" in post 74. She proceeded to strip down and change her clothes right there in the street. I was basically the only one around and I wasn't paying that much attention. I had wandered away, but was headed back in her direction when I realized that a) all she had on was a little shirt that came down to the top of her hips, and b) there were three male soldiers(?) with large guns on patrol and about to come around the corner. Neither group was aware of each other's presence, but since I was across the street I could watch as the whole encounter unfolded. There was surprise as the solders practically bumped into the bare rear of the bent over girl; and then they all had a big laugh about it. I didn't have the nerve to take a photo.
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Post by bjd on Jul 6, 2015 17:59:35 GMT
It's certainly true that the French are much less prudish than North Americans. When I went snowshoeing this January, we stayed in a youth hostel and the toilets and showers were common for men and women.
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Post by htmb on Jul 7, 2015 16:48:07 GMT
I've been trying to get to as many different parts of the city as I can by walking and riding the metro, though I'll run out of time soon.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 7, 2015 17:00:57 GMT
Gosh the Louis Vuitton foundation thing was amazing! I loved the Day Lillies in Parc Monceau but have really terrible recollections of our last time there. Brings tears to my eyes when I think of it because we felt so helpless. In short: we witnessed a pair of twin babies being left to yell their lungs out whilst their great big fat nanny spent time on her cell phone. As the minutes ticked by we grew more and more distressed as the babies had maneuvered themselves in an awkward position. Still screaming their lungs out we approached a couple opposite and asked what they thought of the situation. They, like us were mere tourists and did not want to become involved. I was so upset I felt like placing an ad in the French newspaper warning parents who had a fat, short-haired Au Pair nurse to twins, that it was a disgrace to see her lack of concern. I felt bad for a very long time.
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Post by htmb on Jul 7, 2015 17:07:18 GMT
Oh, yes, Tod. I can see how that situation would be totally distressing. Old trees always impress me. This one was planted over 200 years ago.
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Post by htmb on Jul 7, 2015 19:14:09 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 8, 2015 2:56:21 GMT
Oh my goodness, Htmb ~~ is being "short-time" inspiring you even more? I cannot get over the beauty of these photos. Truly great architectural shots, lovely candids of people, an eye-popping 3D shot of the daylilies, the glorious garden shot just beneath the old tree, and look how your time at Payne's Prairie paid off in wonderful Paris wildlife shots!
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Post by tod2 on Jul 8, 2015 14:51:56 GMT
Htmb - Your photos of the park are just lovely and (I can even see the bench where the nanny was sitting ). The photo of the couple looking at an archway may be from the Renaissance building of the Hotel de Ville - a vestige rescued when set of fire during the Commune. Or it could be the square archway in your other photo. I think the guy in the photo is looking it up... The Corinthian colonnade around the oval pool known as Naumachie, may have been part of a rotunda that was built by Catherine de Merdici, north of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, as a sepulchre for her husband Henri II and for herself - according to my book on Paris. The little chick looks newly hatched with all that fine down. I love your close-up of the bee on the Gaura!
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Post by questa on Jul 8, 2015 23:42:04 GMT
How can I single out my favourites, htmb? Strangely enough the picture that grabs me is the Eiffel Tower in a setting where it looks lacy and graceful and part of the scene, not overbearing and trite in close-up. I haven't much knowledge of Paris, so am seeing it for the first time through your eyes. You show a city full of beautiful images away from the tourist "must see and tick off" paths. I like your whimsical touch and skills at composing quick pics with a story in them. Really, I would buy a coffee table book of your images of Paris.
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Post by lola on Jul 9, 2015 2:04:25 GMT
Just wonderful, htmb. You do have an eye!
(and fun to hear about the geocaching, too.)
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Post by mich64 on Jul 9, 2015 16:05:49 GMT
You have amassed a beautiful collection of photos htmb. I always enjoy your wildlife pictures, I can sense the patience you take in obtaining a great overall photo. So many of my photos of birds or animals end up being of the awkward phases of movement.
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Post by htmb on Jul 9, 2015 17:04:51 GMT
Thank you all for your very kind words of encouragement. I do enjoy taking and posting photos here, and appreciate your comments and indulgence. I have really been enjoying myself, and am beginning to dread the looming end to my Paris vacation. Lots of interesting things to come first, I am sure. It was nice, after all the activity, to take a slow boat up he canal.
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Post by htmb on Jul 9, 2015 17:30:01 GMT
As mentioned in Kerouac's "Tour de France" thread, I was fortunate to travel with him and another dear friend to see as much of Stage 5 as possible. It was a wonderful treat for me. (Even though the day was spent outside of Paris, I figure it could still be placed within my Paris trip thread.)
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Post by htmb on Jul 9, 2015 17:46:20 GMT
While we drove to find another location for viewing the race, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful countryside and tried taking some photos out the window of the car. It was rainy with gusts of wind throughout the day. I loved how these folks, in a little tiny village, were so intent on seeing the riders. We were all sure they were just around the bend. And here they are again. And, just like that, they were gone.
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Post by mossie on Jul 9, 2015 19:43:51 GMT
A good variety here htmb. The Louis Vuiton building looks like it has fallen over. I love the cat kibitzing the lady in the parc Villette and the other animals, the canal boat trip is well worth doing.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 9, 2015 20:18:38 GMT
More wonderful photos. It looks like Oaxaca has visited le Bassin de la Villette.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2015 20:29:53 GMT
If only you knew....
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Post by htmb on Jul 9, 2015 20:50:11 GMT
For some reason, James Taylor comes to mind.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 11, 2015 22:27:07 GMT
Alebrijes in Paris indeed! Those bike pictures are fantastic, with such a sequential sense of movement & excitement. Your hair must have blown as they went by!
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Post by nycgirl on Jul 12, 2015 1:08:58 GMT
Your canal ride looks nice and relaxing. It sure is a pleasant area to spend the day.
Great bicycling photos! I'm amazed they can go zipping around like that on wet pavement. Although I did hear a guy crashed and broke his back recently.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 12, 2015 9:03:13 GMT
Terrific photos Htmb - I wish I could recognise those front riders! You certainly had a great view and so lucky to have a driver who knew the ropes . So glad you did the canal boat trip. It's touristy but very enjoyable non-the-less.
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Post by htmb on Jul 15, 2015 10:05:09 GMT
I have had the most wonderful trip! As it is about to end, I know I've been incredibly fortunate. For the past few years I've been able to meet up with some delightful AnyPort friends in Paris, and have always enjoyed a good time. To get to spend four days with Kerouac and Bixa together this year has been a fabulous experience. They are really super people and I'm so glad I found my way to this forum back in the day. Kerouac has been a wonderful host and we were so lucky to see more of HIS Paris first hand. Since Bixa is covering her days in Paris in her "I'm in Paris" thread, I will just fill in a few photos here, though I may be a bit vague at times as to where they were taken. A few random shots I took from the car as Kerouac drove us on a tour of the city after picking Bixa up from the airport.
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Post by htmb on Jul 15, 2015 10:26:40 GMT
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Post by htmb on Jul 15, 2015 11:13:13 GMT
To say my apartment is located in a noisy area would be an understatement. Even my NYC daughter thought it was quite loud, what with the partying going on for much of the night in the Marais and traffic roaring down rue de Rivoli. I've always been overly sensitive to noises, but am proud that I've adjusted to my little place over the past few weeks. So well that I hardly heard the loud booms from individuals throwing firecrackers outside my window as Fête Nationale celebrations continued throughout the night. I watched the Eiffel Tower concert and fireworks show on television and can honestly say I've never seen anything quite as elaborate and over the top. It was amazing. Though I kicked myself several times for not seeing it live, I'm still quite happy I did not get out and mix with the huge crowds. Here are a few photos from the morning when rue de Rivoli was closed due to the military parade on the Champs Élysées.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 15, 2015 14:31:31 GMT
Nice spread of photos Htmb! Was the third photo taken from your apartment ?....down to the little corner cafe` - the name I cannot read unfortunately.
It is always sad when a fantastic holiday comes to an end but you know it's not really the end....I'm sure you have plans set in concrete to be back next year!! Happy landings!
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Post by htmb on Jul 15, 2015 16:43:22 GMT
Thanks, Tod. No, that picture wasn't taken near my apartment. It will probably be revealed somewhat in Bixa's photos later. We were out on a walk with our "guide."
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 15, 2015 18:42:47 GMT
Oh, Htmb -- I feel like I've gotten something back that was lost! That car tour on the way back from the airport was a huge treat & a perfect introduction. I was too much of a zombie then to get the camera out, despite being avid to take it all in. Your pictures fill in the treasure box of memories from those four magical days.
Love the Pierrefonds pics, especially since you got stuff I completely missed (including my bubble butt). The random shots sum up the ineffable charm of Paris & you really caught the thrill of being ushered unawares to the Fireman's ball, plus the happy variety of the crowd. Some of the last few above are bittersweet for me -- excellent photography, but a reminder of being escorted out of the city of dreams.
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