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Post by tod2 on Nov 27, 2017 14:36:18 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 27, 2017 22:03:57 GMT
One of those men looks like he was definitely drinking more than fishing!
I am absolutely floored by the price of those burgers.
Although the Hôtel du Nord is a wonderful location, it is actually a new and modern building built with a façade to look old. All of the famous scenes from the classic film "Hôtel du Nord" were actually filmed at a recreation of the area at the Boulogne film studios.
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Post by patricklondon on Nov 28, 2017 7:40:27 GMT
I am absolutely floored by the price of those burgers. They do rather trade on the association with the movie. Likewise I noticed a bar in the area called Atmosphère, but I don't really recall their prices being anything remarkable
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2017 9:09:45 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2017 10:53:21 GMT
Thank you Kerouac & PatrickLondon for your comments. I paged through my Paris Bible and read that Hotel Du Nord immortalized by Arletty in Marcel Carne`s movie by the same name, was earmarked for demolition to make room for another vile block of flats. It was argued that the building was of no architectural value and that as you pointed out Kerouac, the film was not all shot on the site but in a studio film Lot west of Paris - (and also all gone by now). Demolitionists further argued that at the end of Eugene Dabit's novel on which the film was based, the hotel was actually pulled down. Then the conservationists and sentimental film-lovers countered that the hotel must be preserved, if only out of respect for the author, who was the son of the hotel-keepers and grew up there. Finally a compromise was reached: the old facade has been preserved and renovated, masking an entirely new construction. A trick often used in Paris these days.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 28, 2017 11:18:01 GMT
Beautiful and informative 10/10 Tod
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2017 13:07:28 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 28, 2017 14:23:54 GMT
Aaaargh -- everything I just wrote you disappeared, Tod! I am so much enjoying this report, so will come back in a little bit & try to recreate the glowing praise I was giving it before the *&^$%# forum bit me in the butt.
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Post by mich64 on Nov 28, 2017 16:15:13 GMT
Well besides the very sad situation regarding the camera, we can see from these photographs what a super weekend you had! The Canal, the dancing and some enjoyable dining, sounds like a fun enjoyable weekend!
I immediately looked up the hotel you stayed at (it looks lovely!), and as I always do, scoured the area for the closest metro stop and thought it would be quite a walk to/from the nearest one. Then when I logged on this morning, the first photo was the bus line stop I wanted to smack my forehead! Even though we have taken the bus quite a few times, I default to metro stops when looking for hotels. A good reminder to myself for when I continue my search for September 2018!
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Post by whatagain on Nov 28, 2017 16:17:43 GMT
Liked it a lot too. I like seeing places I go to quite often captured by others... I had never noticed the Citizen and whilst I cycled past hotel du Nord dozens of times I never stopped to eat there. I think I should.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 28, 2017 16:49:06 GMT
I think you might like that hotel, whatagain. It was the setting for a movie that I saw a couple of months ago and looked fantastic.
Tod, your report was as wonderful as always, but I simply must go back to see "La Lune" and see what has happened to the restaurant. One of the last times I returned there with a friend, the owner asked me what had become of my mother, whom I had taken there a number of times. Back then I was able to tell him that she was still alive but no longer able to go to a restaurant.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 28, 2017 19:13:28 GMT
Ahh, Tod! I always know that your reports will be immensely enjoyable feasts of reportage and pictures. Once again you've pulled that off, and once again showed us new things you've discovered in Paris. Your coverage of the canalside drinkers who actually managed to catch a fish is a hoot. The "Louisiana" menu is a hoot, too, for all the wrong reasons. For the record, the very first item is actually this. The swing bridge is fascinating -- really enjoyed those pictures. I love the dancers and also the wonderful graphic design of your hotel's name. Glad to see you all secured yourselves some good Chinese food.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 29, 2017 6:20:08 GMT
Glad you guys took the time to view my 'cell-camera' effort. Much appreciate all the nice comments 'cause I tried really hard to put my holiday together.
Bixa, thank you so much for that link which explained in detail that particular offering the restaurant put on their menu. I especially took those photos with you in mind....you knew that?! I really would have liked to try the Blackened Fish. I have had it before and found it lovely and spicy.
Whatagain - Hotel Nord is quite elegant inside (very low ceiling), but they have a very poor terrace. Only three or four tables which were always occupied. Please call in and tell us what you think.
Mich - I too scout out the metro stop distances and in this case it was Jacques Bonsergent on Blvd De Magenta that was the closest. We just had to walk over the bridge (of the moving road) then up Rue de Lancry. It seemed a bit far to begin with but the more often we did it the shorter the route seemed. The only time we caught a bus back to our hotel on the 75 route, we got off at Hopital St Louis and walked down the hill. If I had one criticism of the area it would be that when things kick off at Republic a lot of roads are closed to traffic nearby which is a pain when you want to catch a bus.
Kerouac, I too would love to know what became of the Chinese restuarant, La Lune. Do you have any idea what is taking place with the man in the tuxedo escorting the old dame across the road with her suitcase?
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Post by lagatta on Nov 29, 2017 8:34:57 GMT
Huckle, in some places the new tramlines might be a help, despite the walk from the edge of the city. For many people it is easier to walk a bit than to take a lot of stairs. Four different demonstrations!
I think I may have been to La Lune, but about 30 years ago. The façade looks familiar, but there must be many similar ones. I was imagining how bixa or casimira might react to the "Louisiana" food.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 29, 2017 13:22:52 GMT
Thank you Huckle and Lagatta. I have a small amount more to finish off but in the meantime found the video I wanted to post in the first place and have put it first with the dancing on Quai St Bernard - watch carefully for the little boy dancing in the background. Too dear for words.
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 29, 2017 13:38:29 GMT
First chance I have had to look at this excellent report.
Thanks tod!
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 29, 2017 14:37:00 GMT
I am wondering if thieves ever look at the memory cards of their plunder. I know that some people take a photo of their name and address so that they can be identified if they "lose" their camera. It would be really easy and only the price of the cheapest stamp if one added "please send me my memory card if you find this camera." This assumes that the thieves are humans with human sentiments. I confess that I have always been intrigued by the site Found Photos. I think I would be a bit horrified if I ever found my own photos there. Actually the only possibility would be to see my photos of Cape Town in 1998 after I was mugged in Johannesburg, but I kind of doubt that the destitute gentlemen who took my camera and other possessions went to a photo store to get my film developed.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 29, 2017 15:15:02 GMT
The pick-pockets must have a 'Fence' who accepts all their booty and would probably know something about cameras. The best thing would be to wipe the card clean then sell the camera on. This way the new owner would never know it has been stolen - I think... When I look at the photo of the party girls I see shifty eyes in the background waiting to get off the tram...with maybe the booty. It's only my suspicious mind looking around for the culprit/s and of course they could be witnessing the real thief in action and too afraid to give the alarm. If there is a gang that operates in the same area mostly, they are very well known to each other and each individuals modus operandi.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 29, 2017 15:26:29 GMT
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Post by bjd on Nov 29, 2017 15:36:12 GMT
Any idea what those purple leaves in the flower bed are, Tod?
And I just looked to see what the little house is -- it's called Melting House, put there during the White Nights in 2015 before the Paris climate conference. The artist is Leandro Erlich.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 29, 2017 15:54:36 GMT
Yes, the tilted sinking building in front of Gare du Nord is now a permanent fixture, meant to make us think about global warming.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 29, 2017 16:52:29 GMT
Thank you all. bjd - I am the most amateur gardener imaginable but somewhere a brain cell told me it could be Plectranthus scutellarioides, commonly known as coleus. I am probably quite wrong and am hoping Bixa, Cheerypeabrain and such ladies schooled in the ways of gardening, could be of assistance.
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Post by bjd on Nov 29, 2017 19:20:43 GMT
Thanks, Tod. I too thought it might be coleus. I planted one this year and it died rapidly, so obviously my gardening skills leave something to be desired too.
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Post by lagatta on Nov 30, 2017 1:59:07 GMT
puir little house...
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 30, 2017 9:07:53 GMT
Thank you all. bjd - I am the most amateur gardener imaginable but somewhere a brain cell told me it could be Plectranthus scutellarioides, commonly known as coleus. I am probably quite wrong and am hoping Bixa, Cheerypeabrain and such ladies schooled in the ways of gardening, could be of assistance. (Hitches up skirt furiously) yup, I reckon it's Coleus..
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 30, 2017 15:48:19 GMT
Ahhhh ~ thanks for those lovely, lovely pictures of the Gardens. I really like the unexpected angles and the views of the boulle court and the merry-go-round. That gorgeous shot of the avenue of trees with their shadows next to the toy seller is classic. Looks as though you all had some beautiful food, too. Along with Ms. Cactus ( ) & you other ladies, I vote for Coleus. Bjd, it's a really really thirsty plant, but also likes to rot when it decides it's had too much water. It must be happy there where Tod has shown it, installed with the begonias in dappled shade. And "installed" might be the operative word, as public gardens probably have understudies waiting in the wings for any plants that don't make it.
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Post by bjd on Nov 30, 2017 16:22:44 GMT
Bixa, I did install my coleus in dappled shade, right beside a small Japanese maple. But it was summer and I went away for a month a couple of days later. I could see no trace of it when I got back. Maybe I'll try again some other time, or put it as a house plant.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 30, 2017 17:01:59 GMT
bjd - I think it missed you... fainted and then went to heaven
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Post by lugg on Nov 30, 2017 19:35:55 GMT
So sorry about your camera Tod but what a boon to have your cell phone pics as back up. Great report as always I was wondering out of all the places you travelled to do you have a favourite place?
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Post by tod2 on Dec 1, 2017 5:47:56 GMT
Yes I do - I have two. Paris and Singapore. Unfortunately I don't get to the latter often enough but my son is going for 10 days in January. I'm green with envy..
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