Very gentle meandering

[mossie]

Because I had read that there would be a Portes Ouvertes in Menilmomtant I decided to risk another trip. I made no attempt to cover everything, for goodness sake there were about 150 artists showing their work at some 68 addresses, spread over Menilmontant. I just lucked into rue de Retrait where people had made a real effort



This street art was most impressive so I concentrated on it for a bit. This on the shady side, didn't photograph too well, but I was impressed by the work that had gone into it



But the rest was just as good





Even the little school had not been forgotten



Eventually I ventured inside a studio complex. This artist is not going to be short of brushes



here is somebody in the style of Dali



and another with figures in clay



A wall full



here someone is carrying the brochure which maps out the area and gives all the addresses and names, while visiting another little commune



Some of these addresses were in this big block, the place is indicated by the brochures stuck up beside the entrance



Going in I passed these painters hard? at work, and asked them if they were the artists which amused them. Daft Anglais.



I found these who somehow reminded me of Margaret and Denis Thatcher



I would have felt the full force of the handbag, had she been there.
Anyway,there was also this amusing pair of singers



and I have no idea what this is



Leaving the interior art scene to find this decorated shutter



and the same artist had contributed this close by



Studios are generally advertised by balloons but this one had put the brochure up like a shop sign as well



So I lived to fight another day, and will come back in a while with some more snaps

[mossie]

I had set out when I first arrived by thinking I would let subjects come to me instead of wearing up my legs looking for them, so I sat down at a table with a view down Ave Jean Juares. close to the hotel.



Didn't take long before one of the less glamorous Parisiennes walked past, not a good start



But it wasn't long before a much better subject came along and stood about posing for a long time



Then I did my normal trip up Av Laumiere to visit the park Buttes Chaumont. Shown here in this aerial photo of part of a display at the park entrance



The trees are getting their autumn colour now.



and someone had lost their kite in the lake



A daredevil couple had scrambled up to a strange place for a bit of canoodling



I wandered back down the Avenue to find my dinner, and sat across from this family gathering where the youngster was happily taking his place in cafe life, could not have been more than about 9months old, but not a squeak.



Next morning visited another old favourite, the Bassin de la Villette where this barge with a poster I do not really understand sat



I walked up onto the bridge to get this shot of the swimming pools set up for Paris Plage, but now closed. Not that I would indulge, I had had enough of swimming after sampling the Great Bitter Lake.



I also shot the childrens playground, noting the little green frogs climbing about



here I am on my way to the Flea Market at Vanves, waiting for the RER on this rather dismal platform at Gare de Nord



While waiting at the tram stop at Cite Universitaire this hairdo caught my eye, the young couple only had eyes for each other



When I got on the tram I realised I was not alone, this artist was attempting to sketch her as the tram rolled along



A difficult job as it was crowded and I had difficulty getting any sort of picture



The market always fascinates me, having such a wide selection from junk and up, to suit all tastes





it is a great place for people watching and I am always struck by the number of elderly American ladies I hear



Then it was off to find lunch



and to find this bit of artwork stuck to the inside of the toilet lid



Not to forget this advert on inside of the door



at some stage I had visited Galeries Lafayette, and the thumbnail of this picture made me think it was a giant spider, I must limit my intake of Cotes du Rhone!



I was not tempted by this display of Versace watches, the prices are ridiculous



But this display brought me up short, No3 might be for stopping, bit No 1 is all for it



Strolling along the Bassin one evening it was noticeable how people sat right on the edge almost in the dark, chatting



while the petanque games went on





and scores agreed



One of the old buildings hot not escaped the street artists





Will wrap this up later on

[bjd]

Nice seeing your untouristy photos, Mossie. After so many visits to Paris over the years, you can just go as fancy strikes you without feeling you have to see any monuments.

I do wish that taggers wouldn't wreck such great street art as that in the last picture.

[bixaorellana]

Just wonderful, Mossie -- really really makes me want to go wander around Paris. You have truly captured the charm and verve of that beautiful city.

And, for an extra-special bonus, the last piece of artwork you show is by a Oaxacan artist. This article doesn't show the piece you photographed, but describes it. Heads up, rikita -- he's headed to Berlin. www.eluniversalqueretaro.mx/cultura/19-09-2017/joven-triqui-pinta-en-paris

[kerouac2]

Mossie, you impress me every time by all of the new things that you can see in a relatively small area that you have often covered before but manage to cover in a different way every time.

It makes me feel a bit sorry for people who make just one trip to Paris and come back only with photos of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Of course those should be seen too at one time or another, but most people don't even scratch the surface of Paris the way you do.

[fumobici]

Lovely photo essay thank you, put me right there with you and it's a good place to be.

[rikita]

Oct 4, 2017 19:23:29 GMT bixaorellana said:

Just wonderful, Mossie -- really really makes me want to go wander around Paris. You have truly captured the charm and verve of that beautiful city.

And, for an extra-special bonus, the last piece of artwork you show is by a Oaxacan artist. This article doesn't show the piece you photographed, but describes it. Heads up, rikita -- he's headed to Berlin. www.eluniversalqueretaro.mx/cultura/19-09-2017/joven-triqui-pinta-en-paris

thanks, will check it out ...

[tod2]

Again, a truly interesting photo-essay from you Mossie - I wish we could have rubbed shoulders once again but we had left for Blighty by the time you arrived in Paris.

[lagatta]

Yes, I was sure that her clothing was either from southern Mexico or Central America, but don't know the motifs of the different peoples well enough to always be able to distinguish which people or region. Terrible to have vandalized that lovely thing.

I think the first brick buildings look like Habitations bon marché... Kerouac would know.

[cheerypeabrain]

Lovely report Mossie...I really like the street art too...especially the tiger with butterflies (2nd pic posted) Excellent Sir X

[kerouac2]

2012, Rue Myrha.

s19.postimg.cc/586pbxkar/011-1.jpg

[mossie]

My last morning was spent on a stroll round the Place des Fetes area, with a look at the Regard de la Lanterne, which was an inspection chamber for the original piped water supply into Paris from the Belleville springs constructed in the 13th C



For old times sake I had a coffee at the Cafe de la Telegraph



from where I sat I looked down the rue de Telegraph and could see the highest point in eastern Paris where Claude Chappe conducted his first mechanical telegraph system in the 1790's



Leaving that I stumbled across a very smart fire engine, the crew were attending an incident in a block there so I left them to get on with it



On the Rue de Belleville stood this little mobile crew hut, very well decorated. I don't know what my bosses would have said had I supplied some of my work gangs with such a vehicle to have their breaks in



Nearby was this for Kerouac



and I had walked through the Place, where the pyramid was looking in need of refreshment



From there I took the bus back to Laumiere as the time to retrieve my bag and head for home was close, but lunch was first. On the way I realised the M Macron is not universally popular



And I went for a last look at the Bassin de la Villette, pausing to let this crocodile of very young children cross over, guarded by two crows



People were still madly exercising



I turned back to a nearby cafe and fell instantly in love with this young lady who sat directly outside my window



When I had finished lunch I went to speak to her, asking permission to take her photo. And telling her she was beautiful, and I was a crazy Anglais, which got a smile



So i ended another little Paris holiday, totally exhausted, but happy.

[bjd]

It sounds as though you are ready to go back soon, mossie.

[tod2]

That was so lovely! You certainly have an eye for a beauty. Good for you Mossie!
I think you did admirably to cover all you saw. Walking at the moment is not pleasant for me and the thought of a hip op scares me.

[htmb]

Nice report, Mossie. Your photos make me feel like it’s time to consider a return visit. Thanks for taking us along on your trip.

[lagatta]

An attractive young lady who eats with gusto is a pleasant sight.

Place des fêtes isn't at all pretty, but I've enjoyed the street market there.

One boon to travel for people with mobility problems (such as an angry hip, tod) is the new tram system, though of course it just does the edges of Paris.

[patricklondon]

Lovely stuff. You certainly have an eye for the unusual detail, as well as a pretty young woman! I wish I had a bit more courage about photographing people.

My blog | My photos | My video clips My Librivox |
"too literate to be spam"

[mossie]

Many thanks for all the compliments, after all they are just casual snapshots.

And Patrick, all you have to do is close your mind to all doubts, point the camera, and squeeze the tit.

Ooops, perhaps that was the wrong expression, whatever put that into my head.

[onlyMark]

You can get away with a hell of a lot when you reach a certain age.

[mossie]

You can only get away with whatever it is you try on. There is a phrase from somewhere "Boldness be my friend". But of course you have to go about things in the right way, and to help Mark I should have added the words "firmly but gently", before "squeeze" and to have made it clear I was referring to the camera. Please don't jump to conclusions.

[bixaorellana]

Oct 7, 2017 6:52:23 GMT patricklondon said:

I wish I had a bit more courage about photographing people.

Be quick and give a smile if you're caught. You have an exceptionally nice smile, Patrick, so should have much success.