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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2017 3:38:15 GMT
France is a sort of indistinct blob to many first (and even second or third) timers, consisting of Paris, the Côte d'Azur, the D-Day beaches, and maybe a bit of Burgundy if they're adventurous. It is only when people get hooked on France and keep returning that they are able to distinguish between the southeast ("Riviera") and southwest, even though they are completely different. Each region has different architectural styles, building materials and cuisine. But I don't blame tourists -- they generally have a very limited time in the country. However, I am very disappointed that so many French people have not visited every corner of the country if they have the capacity to do so. They all keep going back to the same place over and over and over again, even if they don't have a secondary residence or family there. Most of the people I worked with had never set foot in Picardy, Lorraine or even Alsace because those regions were in the "wrong" direction -- away from the sun, in their minds and therefore of no interest.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 28, 2017 19:14:07 GMT
I think what you describe is probably common all over the world -- a combination of inertia, timidity and dismissal of the unknown. As you know, even cities are often treated by their inhabitants as more of a clump of villages, with some people never venturing out of their own little patch.
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Post by mossie on Mar 29, 2017 14:54:42 GMT
Most cities are a clump of villages which the monster city has devoured in its craze for living space
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Post by mich64 on Mar 29, 2017 21:16:09 GMT
Splendid report Bixa! I truly enjoyed all of the detail such as the information about the Bazacle. It reminded me of when I researched the term "weir" when I was in Galway, Ireland where we encountered a salmon weir.
I was interested in your photos of the fresco paintings. I am anxiously waiting for mid July when I can start trying to purchase tickets to view The Last Supper fresco in Milan in September.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 29, 2017 22:43:37 GMT
Fascinating! I'd always imagined a Mexican or Spanish shepherd. The tacos al pastor I've seen are usually pork, which would be unlikely even for Christian Lebanese. Yes, I noticed the two art ... nouveau or deco? ... façades in the thread. One at least is definitely deco.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 30, 2017 23:05:29 GMT
Ah, yes, Mossie -- of course that is true and even the names of areas within a city usually reflect that. Thanks so much, Mich! That is really exciting and fingers crossed that you get the tickets. It would be incredible to see that fresco in real life. From what I've read about how frescoes are made, it seems a miracle that so many of them manage to exist for centuries. Thanks, LaGatta. I think tacos al pastor are always pork, as you point out. Here is another sign of Lebanese in Mexico. Be sure to look at the link between pictures one and two: anyportinastorm.proboards.com/post/154253/threadI have the shocked feeling that everyone missed the second art nouveau facade ~
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Post by breeze on Mar 30, 2017 23:09:12 GMT
The tiled gently-sloping roofs tell us we're not in the north anymore. Those are lovely warm colors on so many buildings and the ironwork on the balconies is remarkable. Toulouse looks like a laid-back city, if such a thing is possible.
I think a knowledgeable and sympathetic guide adds a lot to a visitor's experience!
Bixa, you always take photos of what I most enjoy--buildings, food, street life, trees and plants....
Speaking of plants, in #17, photo 7, what is that subtly beautiful plant? Are we seeing flowers or bracts or some other technical term that I don't know?
Thank you for this, bixa. I got a taste of this thread on my phone but knew I should wait till I could get my hands on the computer in order to get the full impact of one of your threads, and I'm so glad I waited.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 31, 2017 10:57:28 GMT
Caught up with you today Bixa! And what a delight your photos of Toulouse and surrounds have been! There is no way I could mention all the ingredients that caught my attention...just no way. So much to delight the eye, so will applaud you on everything Bixa
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Post by lagatta on Mar 31, 2017 12:47:29 GMT
I noticed both the art nouveau and art déco buildings.
Salma Hayek is another well-known Lebanese Mexican. Lebanese have been traders sine the Phoenicians, and get around!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 14:05:14 GMT
Anyway, I hope that everyone has now understood why the nickname of Toulouse is "la ville rose." No other city in France has such a unity & harmony of hue.
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Post by nycgirl on Apr 2, 2017 11:31:14 GMT
I must confess that I knew nothing of Toulouse except for its shared name with Toulouse Latrec and hadn't even an image in my mind of what it might look like. I can see now that it's got charm for days. I like the mix of architectural styles, the bridges, and the riverside.
So lucky you and bjd got to meet up!
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 2, 2017 23:40:33 GMT
You all are extremely kind :: thank you! Breeze, that laid-back feeling was my impression of Toulouse as well, even though I know it's a large and important city with a huge aeronautic industry. That dichotomy is yet another thing that deems it worth further exploration. And "knowledgeable and sympathetic" definitely describes Bjd as a guide. We also had a great deal of fun, as she has a wonderful sense of humor. As soon as you said "speaking of plants", my heart dropped & I knew which one you meant. I don't know what it is either. I think those are leaves and that was a tree, not a shrub, but don't hold me to that, please. Tod, thank you ~ I was just looking at your coverage of the area around Beziers and wishing I could be as thorough in my threads. I wouldn't doubt you, LaGatta! Also of Lebanese descent are Carlos Slim (originally Salim) and his cousin Alfredo Harp. That's interesting about Toulouse's "winning" on unity of hue, Kerouac, as it was my impression that French cities strive for that. It is indeed very pleasing. NYCGirl, I didn't have any particular idea of Toulouse, either, which made its loveliness all the sweeter. And yes, I will reiterate that meeting Bjd was definitely a highlight of my trip.
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Post by lagatta on Apr 3, 2017 1:02:40 GMT
I'm so happy to hear from NYC Girl!
I knew a Spanish anarchist (dead now, but he had a good run) for whom Toulouse was a sweet place of refuge, one of those places where one managed to survive despite official fascism (Vichy-Nazi occupation).
Many cities strive for unity or at least harmony of hue and form...
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