Paris Lights

It has been a week of lights, the theme for our photo of the week. Apart from the red, white and blue to best represent the French contribution to the site (the weekly photo), here are some other lights that were spotted.

The French National day, 14 July, is celebrated in a big way with gazillions of people on Champ de Mars, this year a music concert preceded the fireworks show.

Really beautiful, choreographed to music from the movies. You can see more photos at my Flickr site.

Some other man made lights have made an appearance in Paris, you can spot them a mile away by their bright white LED on the front.

No aliens haven't landed, it's Velib'. The individual public transport that has hit Paris. Bike parks like this are spread out all over Paris, apparently, they claim every 300 metres, so you just check it out here and dump it where you land up, very cool! So, Sunday, everyone was out getting the wind in their hair, seems like lots of fun was had on Velib', although it could be quite a puzzle... it seems like the stations are quite well stocked with bikes, so finding that free spot at your destination could be like solving solitaire...

And perhaps still the best light of all has nothing to do with man, as could be seen from your very own Velib' while crossing Pont des Arts at about 10pm on Sunday evening.

Hope you get to see some beautiful light this week.

Normal Paris

You might not think so from the average Japanese holiday video, but believe it or not, Paris isn't just Mona Lisa and Louis Vitton. The normal everyday Paris is a lot more, well... normal. That's not to say that it hasn't its own character, even on a normal day you know you're in Paris.

For starters, take another Louis, this time the chemist Pasteur. After having lived here for just over half a year, it comes as absolutely no surprise that the very thing the French scoff about in American cheeses was discovered here. Yes, pasteurisation. Louis Pasteur was doing what a chemist does, when a young man contacted him and said the French equivalent of something like "Hey Louis, do you have any idea why my beer keeps going frot?" Without the complex experiments and with just a little Parisian experience, I can answer that; it is because French air is mouldy. That's why there are cheeses like Blue Gex and Roquefort, they weren't created, they just got like that from being... You leave a flower in a vase for a while and it grows mould. That tea that got neglected in the pot over the long weekend, you guessed it, you come back to a new species, and you best eat the jam quickly. Hhmmm that all sounds like I leave quite a lot of stuff lying around... it's faster than you think! Maybe that's why the Parisians walk so quickly, they're trying to evade the fungii...

















Some fine cheeses, the best way I can think of to take one's penicillin.
















The jam pot, 'bout time it goes I reckon...

Another very normal Parisian thing is the way cars are mistreated. If you like your car stay out of Paris!!! Pavements mounting at speed, and the complete disregard for the neighbouring car, apart from using it as a sounding device, are essential elements of the traditional parking manoeuvre. This is also just about the only environment where that stupid Smart car seems to make any sense.





















David and Goliath.





















Ah plenty of space...





















That's more like it, leave no space for mould.













Paris, Silly car capital.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Parisian people are actually quite polite (after all, the really friendly ones work at consulates in other countries). Except, and and it's a serious except, when it comes to the metro. Maybe the worst is brought out in people en mass, but jostling for a metro seat is an art (perhaps a marshal one). Elbowing a granny while kicking her crutch seems to be an acceptable technique to adopt to ensure your spot in that vacant seat. When you succeed a brief glare at the opposition further affirms your superiority... Not for the feint hearted.
















Here it comes... ready to rumble?

A few quirky things about normal life in Paris. Things you may not see on Mr Hanako's next home video.

A bientôt!

Jy... mai cherrie

The title sounds right with a strong Cape bergie accent.

This last Saturday, Paris' boulevards were marched on by gay, lesbian and the anywhichway. The floats and music brought the streets alive as hundreds of thousands took to the gay pride parade. Very entertaining, especially the big blokes in pretty dresses... hats off to you for negotiating the cobbled streets in those high heels.












































































Just goes to show Paris is the perfect place to be with your cheri(e).

Wishing you a colourful week!