The streets of Paris

We had two days to wander through neighborhoods we didn't know. Saw some interesting characters--lots of people on bikes and even old-fashioned, non-motorized, scooters. Probably not the best transport for hilly Seattle. We walked the length of Fauberg-St Honere and I photographed some great clothes. The red and brown dress is half leather. We went to the street where we stayed with Max on our first visit to Paris. The neighborhood has gone upscale but there was an interesting clothing store where I bought a jacket and scarf.

Whatever it takes!

It's hard work buying glasses. We have to look at hundreds and hundreds each day. But imagine the vendors selling the glasses. They have show the same frames to customer after customer. And they feel they have to draw people in with all sorts of flashy gimmicks. Here are some highlights.

Silmo Begins

Silmo is being held outside of the city this year. Our first stop was at Roger's booth. Roger posed with his wife, Sylvie; Stan tried on a prototype of a new Roger design and I had a look at his new, Glasses in One-Hour concept.

Bois de Bologne

Wednesday, our last free day before the trade show, we walked most of the day in the Bois de Bologne. The Frommer's gives it 2 stars and says that its the greatest park in Europe. I don't know about that. If a city has a lovely park like this one could be, it should keep its lakes and streams relatively clean and flowing. Through streets should be limited and trails maintained. There were so many cars parked, bumper to bumper, it often seemed like a parking warehouse where city dwellers store their cars when not in use. There were some narrow, one-way roads so packed with cars, presumably taking a short cut, that it was almost comic. But we had a nice day--lots of dogs and happy kids to watch. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped to visit an old city cemetery that had much quieter streets!

Ile de la Jatte

Today’s featured picture is the bas relief on the building across from our hotel. I wish I knew more about the person who carved cats onto his building. I'll ask at the front desk tomorrow.

This morning we went to Neuilly. In the northwest corner of Paris is Neuilly sur Seine. Nicholas Sarkozy got his start here as mayor. We took the 43 bus to Neuilly from Porte Maillot and then walked several blocks to a footbridge which took us to Ile de la Jatte. In the narrow channel of the Seine which borders the West side of the island were a string of houseboats. The island was a retreat for early French kings. In the 19th century the island was a regular painting spot for many Impressionists. I took some pictures of spots where they painted. I could imagine them sitting at their easels without the backdrop of La Defense.

Neuilly itself was very beautiful and quiet except for the army of gardeners and street cleaners that the city employed. Three types of teams were at work: the first line consisted of a water truck and a worker with a power house who washed down the sidewalks--they had no concern for their impact upon pedestrians, we had to take to the street to avoid being hosed off. Next came the guys with gasoline powered leaf blowers. This seemed a bit redundant but the leaf blowers corralled the leaves. Finally, men armed with long brooms, swept and bagged the leaves. We might consider this employment scheme in the U.S. but a city government would have to fund it and there’s no money in city hands. I’ve posted Neuilly City Hall, a lovely building with rams’ heads and Stan on the oddity of the day--a lawn couch. If I get back there, I'm going to a wonderful shopping street called Chartres which had many clothing stores including one called American Vintage right across from another called American Retro.

Best Falafel in Paris!

On the way to rendezvous with Judy H., we came upon a small specialty store featuring rat extermination methods! I had to share the window with you.

We had lunch in the Marais at a great Jewish falafel house called, L’as des Falafels. I had the House Special Falafel which was loaded with grilled eggplant, red cabbage, hummous and tahini. The best falafel I’ve ever eaten. We ate inside, but long lines snaked down the street from the takeout window as well and people would start their sandwiches immediately.

Sept 20 Art Walk

I love walking the neighborhoods in Paris. I always find something extraordinary or very funny like last night's spaghetti lamp. In the afternoon today, we went to the Place des Voges. I read in my Frommers this morning that it was here that Henry IV was assassinated while jousting. Hmm.--was it a bystander who killed him or was he simply a lousy jouster? We saw several sculptures that we liked but prices in the 35,000 Euro range discouraged us from making offers of the larger pieces. Today's highlights --A couch made from air-filled brown bags. It did have a weight limit but I don't remember what it was. And a bronze woman, reclining in a hammock, is clasping a bronzed wet cloth in her hand.