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Post by mossie on Jun 24, 2019 19:23:17 GMT
Yes I cannot stay away from the place, in any case it is the only exotic foreign place I know how to get to. I must admit to becoming very apprehensive about doing it, I have mobility problems now and am not too steady on my feet at times. Anyway, I noted that the Paris bus system has undergone a radical shakeup which seriously affects 2 of the 3 services that run past Place Armand Carrell near the hotel I use. One, No.48, seriously, which used to terminate at Palais Royal, now only goes as far as Gare du Nord. But interestingly, the 75 which went to Pont Neuf now terminates at the Pantheon, so I was determined to try that. So, first morning, here we go. As before it traverses Place Colonel Fabien which houses the sumptuous Communist Party HQ Before crossing the river it passes in front of the Hotel de Ville And on the Island goes across close to Notre Dame, being renovated after the dreadful fire So eventually arriving at the Pantheon, I didn't go inside Where I joined the Teddy Bears picnic for a reviving coffee, That evening I took a short stroll down to the Bassin de la Villette, prior to dinner. The old buildings still get spruced up from time to time, keeps the street artists away fro vandalism I suppose But the mobile scenery is of more interest, how about those heels I'll stop now before I drop myself in it, and see what wlse I can dredge up tomorrow
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 24, 2019 19:48:45 GMT
Oh, Mossie, you have so many stories to tell!
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 24, 2019 20:49:25 GMT
This is it! This is how people should travel, not timidly waiting to be taken by the hand, nor self-limiting by age or gender.
Looking forward to more, Mossie.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 24, 2019 20:50:08 GMT
The new trams can be a boon for folk with limited mobility, whatever the reason.
I spent a month between two "gigs" at a flat swapped with someone who lived in a small street just above rue des Pyrénées. I do like that general area. She had a very nice little flat.
Actually chunky or platform heels are easier to walk in than stilettos, though I could no longer do that even if I wanted too. And I don't have their long legs.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 24, 2019 21:19:12 GMT
Can someone (probably K2) explain to us how the French CP can still afford that magnificent modern building, although their votes and members have dwindled to very little? Sound financial investments?
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 25, 2019 3:50:35 GMT
The Communist party headquarters has been a cash cow for the party for years. It rents out offices both short term and long term, and the building is also used for fashion shows and for filming movies.
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Post by bjd on Jun 25, 2019 7:40:40 GMT
I didn't realize that the CP still owned a building. The Socialist Party sold theirs off a while ago. Mossie, I know you like that area, but do you always return to the same place? No desire to discover other parts of Paris?
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Post by lagatta on Jun 25, 2019 9:34:58 GMT
I don't blame him; wish I could find a home away from home, which would be in that general area simply because I have several friends in the area, but I no longer want to stay with other people, so I'll have to find somewhere not too pricy with internet access between the eastern 18th and the 20th.
It breaks my heart to leave Livia alone, though there are many cat (and dog) sitters nearby who would take good care of her. I may be going to Europe this autumn, though it is far from sure yet.
It will be extremely hot in many parts of Europe this week so stay hydrated and remember that siestas are your friend !
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2019 15:18:45 GMT
Before I add more may I start with an apology for duplicating the shot of Notre Dame, when the second one should have been the Pantheon. As the girl who used to do my typing for me at work used to say, "Silly old fool". Now a warning to those of a delicate disposition, one shot which will follow eventually may be a bit strong. But I had settled at a bar beside the Bassin for a quiet beer and while chatting to the waiter he insisted on taking my picture, which I admit sets the scene nicely So I wandered back up Av Laumiere to a favourite brasserie and settled down to my meal, I hadn't got my normal camera which was in dock, so I had borrowed one from my son. I had omitted to turn off the red rangefinder light and I see that I had alerted one lady she was busy chatting to someone else and was trying to keep her little girl occupied. I was very flattered when the little girl came up to me as they were about to leave, and presented me with her doodles My Target next morning was Place des Victoires and Galerie Vivienne, so it was metro down to the Bourse And then down the road to the Galerie It has some very fancy shops, I am afraid I didn't recognise the 'no photos ' sign The whole place is very ornate, including the floor The man who did that had put his name and address at the entrance, but it is getting worn away in the passage of time, it must be well over 100 years old. Coming away I went to the place des Victoires, unfortunately to get a good shot one must stand in the middle of the road and I snatched my attempt, so have to substitute this which I had originally taken from the kerb
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jun 25, 2019 15:27:02 GMT
I see that you're still gorgeous then Mossie that is a lovely photo. Interesting pictures, love the Galerie photo...looks like the sort of place where I couldn't afford to shop (and nothing would fit me anyway....)
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 25, 2019 15:31:50 GMT
That is really a quite good picture of you, Mossie.
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2019 15:45:36 GMT
The craze now is for these electric scooters, which seem to be hired out and dumped wherever the rider desires Wandering about I came across this place, apparently selling pizza, although it looks none too hygienic. But it was the name which got me, enough to put many kids off immediately I had the best meal of my visit at another old favourite, le Mistral at the top of the Pyrenees, and was lucky to be seated in their little courtyard but before that had visited the little parc which has a superb view across Paris, at least the equal of that from Montmartre and almost as high. I was amused to see that some birds had been added to the trees on the pillars The Belvedere seems to be a focus for typical Belleville protest But this was nice But these were a whole lot easier on the eye And this rather rude
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2019 16:10:10 GMT
Further up rue de Belleville I saw that M Macron os not popular in these parts and the communist party is still active On my last evening thunderstorms were threatened but I took the bus up av Laumiere to the parc des Buttes Chaumont, mustn't miss that. There was a lad sitting on the edge of the temple where he could take a nice dip in the lake if he liked But here is one of these apartments up on rue Botzaris which I would love, but have no chance to afford As I sat watching the world go by, another posse of young ladies out on the lam passed me by, I don't think the old girl behind them approved The parc was it's normal happy leisure area for the locals But while I was having my dinner down the road just across from my hotel, the heavens opened, I had anticipated it by taking a table inside, but those out in the little place weren't so lucky And here endeth the lesson, as the parson would say.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 25, 2019 16:58:11 GMT
Oh gosh, Mossie, just wonderful! I know I say this every time you do a new Paris report, but this is the best one yet. That really is an exceptionally nice picture of you, not only because it caught how you really look, but because you appear so content. Well, Mossie in Paris = contentment. Those no-photos signs on things like the over the top flower arrangement crack me up. I suppose they fear you'll rush home and duplicate the design for free. The Galerie Vivienne is gorgeous, as is its floor. I was curious, so looked it up and found that Giandomenico Facchina was its creator. His work is in many prominent places in Paris, including the Opéra Garnier. Thanks for yet another very personal report which again captures that spirit that makes so many love Paris. It is a further treat to get Huckle's true neighborhood perspective and some of that area's history.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 25, 2019 17:20:09 GMT
It is true that this neighbourhood has kept a cocky scruffiness though there are quite a few very expensive streets near Buttes Chaumont. I remember when Parc de Belleville was new - a friend lived very close to it - and it was already graffitied and tagged. Great view though. The local CP might be two or three people...
This friend still lives in the northeast - think still the 19th - but between Buttes-Chaumont and La Villette, in the Jewish area K2 reported on some years back. He happens to be Jewish, but not remotely religious. His daughter, as lovely as any of the beauties Mossie has shared with us, has also become a notable human rights lawyer, at the Hague and other places
I hope I NEVER become as sour as Old Gal. Wilfully misquoting Samuel Johnson; tired of Paris, tired of life.
The clitoris poster designer has a very odd take on human genitalia, of either sex...
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Post by lagatta on Jun 25, 2019 20:22:04 GMT
That is true, and I should have pointed it out. In general the area gets a large left/alternative vote. Mossie, is this your Mistral? www.paris-bistro.com/choisir/paris20/le-mistral Looks like a great place to meet friends, with good but unpretentious food.
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Post by mossie on Jun 25, 2019 20:29:01 GMT
Those 4 arrondissements cover the area occupied by the old town of Belleville as it was before being incorporated into the City in 1860. The problems arising from resentment from those citizens being taxed by Paris and suffering an influx of people displaced by the Haussmanisation of Paris led to the revolt by the ‘Commune”. They were called Communards, but Karl Marx spent time there and the name Communist came from his work. Because they were a rebellious lot the old main street, now the rue de Belleville, was used to split them up. The church of St Jean le Batiste was the old parish church and lay near the town centre. Divide and rule.
I forget the ranking now, but at the time Belleville was one of 10 largest towns in France. The trivia one learns by always staying in the same place is remarkable.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 25, 2019 20:32:37 GMT
My own district went even farther left in the legislative elections after Macron's election. It was pretty much an accident, because Danièle Obono of the leftist party LFI squeaked through with 50.7% of the vote in the second round basically because the Macron candidate was totally insipid. Danièle Obono is anything but insipid, but she is also a total dogmatic amateur for whom I will not vote in the next election. lafranceinsoumise.fr/app/uploads/2018/02/daniele-obono.jpg
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 25, 2019 21:04:43 GMT
Fascinating history, Mossie ~ thanks!
Maybe she will grow into the job, Kerouac.
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Post by htmb on Jun 25, 2019 21:34:53 GMT
Congratulations on your travels and good for you, Mossie! You appear to navigate that new bus schedule well, too!
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Post by questa on Jun 25, 2019 23:49:53 GMT
The French teacher at school covered the walls of our room with posters of the Cathedral, the Tower and all the famous cliches of Paris from calendars. She stood back and admired her work, then said, "this is Paris".
I see now that she was quite wrong,
Thanks to K2, Mossie, Huckle and others for showing me Paris.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 26, 2019 1:07:39 GMT
Yes, like most other places except those that were only formal capitals or destinations for pilgrims, Paris was a working town. It still is, though in other ways. La complainte de la Butte is about randy working-class youth - and miserable living conditions a century ago.
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Post by mossie on Jun 26, 2019 11:24:50 GMT
Yes Lagatta, that is le Mistral which I have used on many occasions and found to be reliable and simple, to suit my tastes
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 26, 2019 12:14:00 GMT
Le Mistral is where huckle and I met.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 26, 2019 12:37:02 GMT
Have you met Mossie yet this time?
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 26, 2019 13:24:43 GMT
Yes, we had lunch last week. Mossie only spends 3 days in Paris when he comes. About the same time that I spend in London when I go there.
Mossie was very lucky to leave before the heat wave.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 26, 2019 14:37:53 GMT
Good! Of course someone coming from a place relatively close (and 1h time lag) doesn't have to stay for a week. I do the same when visiting friends in Toronto or Québec City.
It is hot here, but pleasant. Nothing like your heat wave.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 26, 2019 22:53:03 GMT
I always enjoy your view of Paris Mossie, everyday life, interesting places and people. Enjoyed seeing the photo of you as well.
Those electric scooters are dangerous! I was almost hit twice and I was trying to be on guard watching out for them.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 27, 2019 11:14:23 GMT
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Post by questa on Jun 27, 2019 16:22:46 GMT
Some parts of China have banned motor bikes, and streets are too narrow for cars, so the silent electric vehicles are the only powered transport on the move. These would sneak up behind me and nearly hit me before yelling out a warning.In Lhasa, Tibet, it seemed to be a game to them, with the pilgrims and tourists being the main target.
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