Monday, November 16, 2015

A Week and Counting Since the Paris Massacre - The City Is Not Normal, But It's Still Beautiful (Updated Saturday, Nov 21, 2015)

Beefed up security around the Arc de Triomphe


A brave sentiment spelled out in Place de la République

North African entrepreneurs have set up impromptu food stands at Place de la République. Their sweet Moroccan mint tea is what keeps the broadcast crews going.

A simple tribute to "Nohemi Gonzales, Los Angeles, USA, student in Paris, Design School, Mortally wounded at this sidewalk café. 

Children lighting candles at la Casa Nostra on Friday, one week after the massacre

Roses in a bullet hole at Casa Nostra



Flags tied up as signs of mourning in a window on Ave Wagram

On Sunday evening, crowds gathered in Place de la République spontaneously, just to be out, and to be with each other

Broadcasting from Place de la République

The sky was unbelievably blue over the Ile de la Cité on Sunday

Winter light on Ile de la Cité

Waving a flag above Place de la République


In front of Casa Nostra, one of the sidewalk cafés that was shot up


The sad irony of "Happy Hour" at Le Carillon. It was still going on when the shooting started.
Doisneau's Kiss, Metro tickets with "Fluctuat Nec Mergitur" written on them, and "Amour" at Le Carillon

The Canal Saint Martin, so close to the bloodied cafes, seemed wonderfully peaceful on Sunday night



Thursday, July 23, 2015

Versailles - Outside the Chateau Last Weekend: Lines, Marie Antoinette's little village, rowing on the Canal, and Anish Kapoor sculptures

I think this is not a sculpture, just a great stump near the Petit Trianon ...

In front of the boudoir in Marie Antoinette's Hameau ...

The boudoir

Onions?


The view from our hotel

This was the line to get inside the chateau an hour before it opened. We decided to skip it.

Anish Kapoor's C-Curve mirror in back of the chateau about the gardens


Anish Kapoor's Sky Mirror


The Latona Fountain inspired by Ovid's "Metamorphoses" with Anish Kapoor's "Dirty Corner" in background

Chinese tourists begin to arrive in the garden

Detail from the Latona Fountain with Kapoor sculpture in the background

Anish Kapoor's "Dirty Corner" reportedly was vandalized. No sign of that I could see.

Topiary

Rowing on the Canal in the Versailles gardens. I went rowing myself, but in a regular rental rowboat.

The Neptune Fountain (turned off)




The Neptune Fountain seen through the forest at Versailles

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Canicule! It's 95 F in Paris France Right Now

On the lawn above the Trocadero fountain

In the Trocadero Fountain

Homeless and hot

Waiting for the elevator up the Eiffel Tower in a human terrarium