La magia del Natale e la sua atmosfera unica e scintillante hanno già invaso la ville lumière.
L’elemento urbano che meglio testimonia l’avvento di questo periodo festivo è la decoratissima avenue degli Champs Elysées, le cui illuminazioni sono state ufficialmente inaugurate il 23 Novembre scorso da Charlotte Gainsbourg.
L’attrice francese, figlia del grande Serge, in presenza del sindaco di Parigi Bertrand Delanoé, ha premuto l’interruttore che ha inondato di luce l’avenue più bella del mondo.

Fino al 10 Gennaio, da Place de l’Etoile a Place de la Concorde, i 415 alberi che costeggiano la rinomata avenue parigina, scintilleranno tutte le notti.
Gli Champs Elysées indosseranno, per tutta la durata del periodo natalizio, il loro abito più elegante: un abito fatto di luci intermittenti, decorazioni festive, effetti di luce e tanta magia.
Il rispetto dell’ambiente e il risparmio energetico sono obiettivi fondamentali per la città di Parigi; per questa ragione, le migliaia di lampadine, utilizzate per l’illuminazione dei quasi due kilometri e mezzo che formano gli Champs Elysées, sono a basso consumo.

Quest’anno, per rendere omaggio all’Europa, le luci saranno blu.
Uno spettacolo unico e indimenticabile tanto agli occhi dei parigini quanto a quelli dei turisti provenienti da tutto il mondo.

Quand, en mai 1981, nous attendions sur les Champs-Élysées l’arrivée des chars soviétiques

The fifteenth arrondissement is located on the Left Bank of the Seine River in southwest Paris. Its land area is a bit more than 3.2 square miles (a tad over 8.5 square kilometers). This is the most populous of the twenty arrondissements, with over two hundred twenty five thousand residents and provides almost one hundred fifty thousand jobs.

The Gare Montparnasse is one of six large Parisian railway stations. It first opened in 1840 and started to expand only a few years later. In 1895 a runaway train rode through a two foot (sixty centimeter) wall, left the premises, and toppled onto the street thirty feet (ten meters) below. The train finished this wild tour on its nose, as shown on the cover of the Lean Into It album produced by the hard rock group Mr. Big. No passengers were killed in this grand voyage, but several were injured and a passerby was killed.

On August 25, 1944 the German military governor of Paris, General von Choltitz, surrendered to the French General Philippe Leclerc at the old Montparnasse train station. Happily enough von Cholitz disobeyed Adolf Hitler’s direct order to destroy the city as dramatized in the 1966 Franco-American movie Is Paris Burning?. This movie was disappointing at the box office, perhaps because it was hard to follow for those unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the French Resistance.

Twenty-five years later this historic station was torn down and replaced with the Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower) at the time Europe’s tallest building. Two years after it was built skyscrapers were banned in central Paris, but… Do you remember Guy de Maupassant’s joke about the Eiffel Tower restaurant (if not, see our article on the Seven Arrondissement)? They make the same joke about the Montparnasse Tower.

In 1995 the French urban climber, Alain “Spiderman” Robert, climbed to the top of the building using only his bare hands and feet and no safety devices whatsoever. (Don’t try this at home kids.) He started his fabulous career at the tender age of twelve when he was accidentally locked out of the family’s eighth-floor apartment. Alain continued learning his trade in the French Alps. He has vertigo, a type of dizziness, from two accidents. And yes, he has also climbed the Eiffel Tower as well as many other skyscrapers over the world. For a change of pace he climbed the Golden Gate Bridge.

La Ruche (The Beehive) is a weird-looking three-story circular structure that resembles a gigantic beehive more than human living quarters. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary wine rotunda for the Exposition Universelle (Universal Exposition) of 1900. You know what other temporary building he designed. The French sculptor Alfred Boucher had the building dismantled and re-erected as inexpensive artist studios that attracted the usual group of hangers-on as well. Can you imagine living in Paris surrounded by artists and paying almost no rent? Admittedly La Ruche wasn’t the Champs Elysees but not everyone’s idea of Paris is the Champs Elysees. It was near a famous canteen described in our companion article on the fourteenth district.

The list of its former residents includes many of the greatest painters and artists of the early Twentieth Century. This historic complex came close to being “redeveloped” in the early 1970s but was saved and is still used as art studios. Only the exterior is available for general viewing and you should really stop by. The Musee du Montparnasse (Montparnasse Museum) on the site of the old canteen contains quite a collection from the Ruche’s days of glory. It is just over the border in the fourteenth arrondissement.

Front de Seine (also known as Beaugrenelle) is a mixed commercial and residential highrise development which runs along the Seine River. The complex includes about twenty three-hundred feet (one-hundred meter) buildings constructed around an elevated esplanade paved with frescoes that are only visible from the upper floors. I know where I’d rather live.

Aquaboulevard is Europe’s largest aquatic indoor recreational park. Water lovers will find waves, slides, and swimming pools. The site boasts tennis and squash courts, and a fitness center. If you are not in an athletic mood or have finished your workout there are seven restaurants and a fourteen-screen movie theater on site. Enjoy yourself.

The giant Palais des Sports (Sports Palace) hosts hockey and basketball games as well as large-scale musicals and rock concerts. Don’t confuse it with the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy in the twelfth district across Paris. Given Parisian traffic, if you go to the wrong one you’ll likely miss your show. This 1960 building was used as a detention center in the Paris massacre of 1961 during the Algerian War of Independence.

I have a confession to make. Until recently I was under the impression that Paris was home to a single still functioning vineyard, one outside this district. Live and learn. The village of Vaugirard was already exporting its well-known wines in 1453 at the end of the Hundred Years War. In 1786 toll walls were built around Paris. Later on the city residents crossed them on Sundays and holidays to drink Vaugirard wine, eat strawberries and peas, and dance to the sound of fiddles, musettes, and oboes. I’m reminded of the Goose That Laid The Golden Egg when I read that the money-grubbing winegrowers of Vaugirard replaced their wines with a new stock that yielded much more wine, but of a lower quality. The consumers weren’t fooled for long and by 1810 Vaugirard saw its last vineyard. The last until 1985 when the Clos des Morillons vineyard in the Parc Georges Brassens was replanted with seven hundred Pinot Noir vines. Each vine yields on average about 2.2 pounds (one kilo) of grapes in either September or October. The following summer you can enjoy the wine, which is said to be fairly good.

Of course you don’t want to be in Paris without sampling fine French wine and food. In my article I Love French Wine and Food – A Burgundy Aligote I reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample menu: Start with Jambon Persille (Ham in Parsleyed Aspic). For your second course savor Rable de Lievre a la Piron (Saddle of Hare with Shallots and White Wine). And as dessert indulge yourself with Mousse au Chocolat (Chocolate Mousse.) Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to accompany each course.

Le 9Hotel Paris  recommend december to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

A Magical Month of Light and Cheer

In December, Paris bursts out of its sleepy autumn quiet and lights up– literally and figuratively. Trees up and down the Champs-Elysées are strung with garlands of shimmering light, and many other places around the city are decorated in the same festive spirit. An ice-skating rink is set up on the plaza outside of Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall). Christmas markets spring up all around the city, with their warm wood-roofed booths, vin chaud (hot wine), enchanting decorations and gifts, and gourmet treats. Chanukah celebrations like menorah lightings add to Paris’ holiday-season charm. There are also plenty of ways to celebrate a memorable Christmas in Paris.

With all the good cheer, Paris in December is nonetheless fairly relaxed, making the month an ideal time to take advantage of the city’s many sights and attractions. Take your time exploring museums, sipping cinnamon-infused hot wine, or attending a special holiday concert. 

http://goparis.about.com/od/planningyourtrip/a/ParisDecember.htm

The Hotel Pulitzer Paris recommend december to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

A Magical Month of Light and Cheer

In December, Paris bursts out of its sleepy autumn quiet and lights up– literally and figuratively. Trees up and down the Champs-Elysées are strung with garlands of shimmering light, and many other places around the city are decorated in the same festive spirit. An ice-skating rink is set up on the plaza outside of Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall). Christmas markets spring up all around the city, with their warm wood-roofed booths, vin chaud (hot wine), enchanting decorations and gifts, and gourmet treats. Chanukah celebrations like menorah lightings add to Paris’ holiday-season charm. There are also plenty of ways to celebrate a memorable Christmas in Paris.

With all the good cheer, Paris in December is nonetheless fairly relaxed, making the month an ideal time to take advantage of the city’s many sights and attractions. Take your time exploring museums, sipping cinnamon-infused hot wine, or attending a special holiday concert. 

http://goparis.about.com/od/planningyourtrip/a/ParisDecember.htm

I had seen a few exhibitions at the Espace Louis Vuitton before, this art space at the top of the Champs Elysées flagship store in Paris. However, as much as I had appreciated this calm contemporary space made of priceless pieces of art in the midst of an over-busy temple of consumption, I had never engaged with the exhibition itself as much as I did last time I went.

Always around the theme of travel, to convey the spirit and heritage of the luggage house, the exhibitions have explored concepts of otherness so far: other countries, cultures, visions of the world. But for the 10th exhibition, the focus is different: instead of looking at others, the exhibition brings the visitor into an introspective journey to look at one’s inner self.

Starting with the elevator itself, created by Olafur Eliasson, that deconnects from the outside world and connects you with your senses, or rather confuses your senses. This is just one part of a journey that will make you live and accept your past, blur your senses and dazzle your eyes, immerse you in spaces of light, fog and sky, feel words under your fingers and through them, write up your emotions on the walls via your body energy.

The only piece that did not evoke a sensorial experience was for me the too concrete paintings of Laurent Grasso, which do picture a universe, but did not connect with mine. Luckily this was at the end of the interactive experience, that had me through a rather intriguing and revealing journey.

The lack of visitors unlike in a traditional Parisian gallery made for an even more interesting experience and personal visit, with discreet help from the friendly staff. Just like I would like to be treated in a true luxury place, be it art of fashion. Now if only the store was anything like that!

Until January 10, 2009. Free entry. Picture from Céleste Boursier Mougenot’s installation ‘Etude Sonore Domestique’. More information here.

Jolie Rama
Sur un gradin perchée
(Gradin d’assemblée…
Gradin de stade…)
Tenait en ses mains
Bien serrées
Son maroquin.
Un gredin de Renard,
Par ce corps beau
Alléché…
(Un corps beau
À croquer !)
Lui tint à peu près ce langage :
« Que vous êtes jolie !
Vue d’en m’bas,
Que vous me semblez m’Bo !
Descends donc !
Nous danserons
Le mam’bo.
Et ton maroquin,
Pas d’chagrin,
Tu l’gard’ras,
J’en f’rai  pas
Plein de rage
Un fromage… »

Puis ainsi
Le rossard causit :
« Sans ment’rie
Si votre ramaillade
Se rapporte à votre plumaillade
Vous êtes le phénix
De mes minix
Et des hôtes
De mes champs
(Élysées).»
À ces mots
Si bien dits
(À ses maux
Pressentis),
Rama ne ressent pas de joie,
En perd même la voix
Et ferme son joli bec,
Se retient,
N’en pense pas moins
« Rien de neuf ! »
Comm’ Titeuf :
«Même pô peur ! »
« Pas si ‘rô qu’ça ! ».

Et de ses menues mains
Elle tient bien
L’maroquin
Tant elle craint
Le coquin.
(«Grand pendard !
Dit Voltaire).
Et elle pense :
« Par prudence
Mieux vaut m’taire !»
À ses mots
Devinés
Il jura,
(Mais un peu tard),
« Nom d’un pétard ! »,
Qu’on ne l’y prendrait plus.

La petite Pléyade

Marseille

Cinquante ans après la fin de l’Algérie française, le début de la France algérienne ?

Paris

Des drapeaux étrangers brandis en masse devant l’Arc de Triomphe, NOTRE Arc de Triomphe. Qu’en penseraient le soldat inconnu et tous ceux qui sont morts pour la France ?

Toujours à Paris, émeutes sur les Champs-Elysées, ex “plus belle avenue du monde”.

Montréal

Même nos lointains cousins d’outre-Atlantique n’échappent pas à la déferlante…

The season leading up to Christmas is a light-filled, festive time in Paris that can provide an ideal backdrop for a romantic vacation or an enchanting holiday season with the kids.

Each year, elegant holiday lights adorn several neighborhoods, shopping districts and historical sites in Paris, ushering the city out of its November gloom.

Christmas/holiday lights displays on the Champs Elysées
The majestic Avenue des Champs-Elysées is flooded with lights every winter, with light-drenched trees stretching all the way from the Place de l’Etoile and the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Don’t forget to visit the Christmas market in the area while you’re at it.
Christmas Light Displays at Paris Department Stores.

The classic Paris department stores district near the Opera Garnier is awash with lights and elaborate window decorations every holiday season, generally starting at the end of November and throughout the January sales season in Paris.
For those of you who’ll be in Paris on Christmas day, remember that all of the city’s major museums and galleries will be closed. Many shops, cafes and restaurants are also closed all day on the 25th or are open only until the early afternoon.

An ice-skating rink is set up on the plaza outside of Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall). Christmas markets spring up all around the city, with their warm wood-roofed booths, vin chaud (hot wine), enchanting decorations and gifts, and gourmet treats. Chanukah celebrations like menorah lightings add to Paris’ holiday-season charm. There are also plenty of ways to celebrate a memorable Christmas in Paris.

With all the good cheer, Paris in December is nonetheless fairly relaxed, making the month an ideal time to take advantage of the city’s many sights and attractions. Take your time exploring museums, sipping cinnamon-infused hot wine, or attending a special holiday concert. Have a real retreat from the holiday madness back home and try taking Paris in frame by frame, like a painter would.

Foodie Christmas in Paris

The French celebrate with their blow-out meal the day before Christmas. In Paris, fresh oysters and creamy foie gras are on the festive menu, with delicate smoked salmon and hearty chapon (roast chicken), turkey or goose. Leave room for some chocolatey Bûche de Noël washed down with champagne.
In need of a spiritual uplift after all that shopping over Christmas? In Paris, a midnight mass must is the Eglise de la Madeleine (finishing at 12.45, you can still catch the last metro home). Or see the Christmas crèche at the oldest church in Paris, the pretty Eglise St-Germain-des-Prés, dating from the 6th to the 11th century.

Símbolo do triunfo francês, o Gordini fez vibrar várias gerações
de motoristas na busca de sensações e emoções esportivas.
Dentro de alguns meses, o emblemático nome Gordini voltará às ruas.
O Grupo Renault lançará novas versões assinadas Gordini,
que complementarão a gama de modelos Renault Sport.
LEIA MAIS NOS SITES
:: SORTIMENTOS.COM >> http://www.sortimentos.net/?p=4317
:: GEBBEG >> http://gebbeg.com.br/?p=7296

.

On the sixth day of the ninth month, myself and H. made our way deep into Tokyo, to Waseta, home to one of Japan’s most prestigious universities. One of H.’s old schoolfriends gave us a tour of the campus, and it was very impressive indeed. A fascinating mix of old and new, with a most delightful street of shops for the students. Also, I noticed that the omnipresent Japanese vending-machines in the Waseta area stocked an unusually high amount of Dr. Pepper. Said drink being my favourite beverage, I was naturally delighted. Apparently, the drink is so rare in Tokyo that looking out for it is like some sort of minor sport. Everytime we spotted a can, we would shout, “O! DOKUTA PEPPA!” in an extremely inflected Japanese accent. If Tokyo had won the 2016 Olympic bid, who knows, we may have seen an international “Dr. Pepper Hunting” event. I digress majorly.

The nectar of the gods.

After our tour of Waseta, the three of us travelled to Omotesando, the Japanese equivalent of Paris’ Champs-Elysées; as the comparison suggests, every shop there catered for the mega-rich. Being penniless students, we could only stand and stare wide-eyed at glamourous Japanese heiresses pick out Gucci handbags worth a small African nation. We traipsed on from the marble-pillared shops of millionaires to Aoyama for a brief glimpse of a Buddhist temple, the first one I had seen on my tour. It had been beautifully constructed, but unfortunately, it was shut (or at least, so it appeared). Our next stop was another of Tokyo’s little curiosities…

The temple in the Aoyama district.

Any self-proclaimed Japanophile will have heard of Harajuku. Hell, even Gwen Stefani sings about it. Harajuku is famous for its ‘cosplayers’, those wacky young teenagers who dress up as their favourite anime or video-game characters and parade about a small plaza every Sunday morning, posing, singing and performing. I’m positive the more reserved Tokyo-ite (Tokyon? Man of Tokyo? Tokyopolitan?) gives the place a wide berth, but it positively teems with tourists cramming to take pictures of men dressed in demon costumes and girls in ridiculously skimpy tutus. There was a surprisingly old chap dressed up as some sort of crippled rapper who walked around in circles beat-boxing, pausing every few seconds to hack up his lungs and occasionally answer his phone. ‘Disturbing’ would have perhaps been the most appropriate adjective.

Harajuku cosplayers.

The beat-boxer. Locking up your children is advised.

We must have arrived on a particularly conservative Sunday, as there weren’t many about, but I do encourage anyone reading this to Google Image ‘Harajuku cosplay’ and see what I mean. My photos don’t really do the best ones any justice.

The following day, the original trio was reunited, plus another of H.’s schoolfriends, a self-confessed otaku (geek). Fitting, then, that we were to make our way into my version of Heaven on Earth, the embodiment of man’s technological might – Akihabara. I consider myself a geek. I’d just like to get that off my chest. Any readers who will never return because of this announcement, know that I still love you, despite your decision. I love games. I’ve been playing them since I was 4 years old; I blame my Granddad for that, plus, all the other indirect consequences, such as lessened respect, inability to play sports with any real prowess and controller-related arthritis that will probably hit me when I’m 30. Apart from the video-games aspect of my geekery comes married a love for all things fantastical and obscure. Who’s that elf in The Lord of the Rings? Legolas, son of Thranduil, you petty mortal. Where does that minor alien species in Star Wars come from? Byss, you imbecile!

Akihabara is known as ‘Electric Town’ – any gadget you care to name exists there, and is for sale at (usually) an extremely fair price. Blu-ray player? Sure. Talking washing-machine? Probably. Any DVD that has ever been made ever!? Assuredly. Simply being there – in its aura – nearly turned this godless heathen religious.

Oh yes.

Apart from an undeniable love for flat-screen televisions, netbooks and cutesy game characters, one thing the Japanese seem to have virtually no scruples about is porn. There is lots of it. We’re not talking EE-cup, stiletto heels, peroxide blonde porn, either. Comic book porn or hentai (literally meaning ‘pervert’ or ‘perversion’ in the lingo) is the standard fare. One particularly massive comic store we visited had seven floors, five of which – I kid you not – were dedicated to all sorts of erotica. I mean,  there’s having a good time, and there’s going too far. Regardless, I’m sure Kleenex makes a killing in Japan.

There was plenty more where that came from.

Undoubtedly, the best part of our visit to Akihabara was the ‘maid cafe’. If I had been 15 years of age on my visit to Tokyo, it would have been akin to non-physical sex. The males that stumble upon this post will no doubt share my enthusiasm. And who wouldn’t? What honest, virile man would turn down the opportunity to have drinks poured for him by a beautiful Japanese waitress, dressed in a ridiculously suggestive French-maid outfit? Despite feeling a little sleazy for having gone (and with three other men), it was a fun experience. Of course, there was nothing remotely sexual about it. There were families there (though this, to me, defeats the purpose) and even getting a damn photo with the girls cost the upwards of €5, so unfortunately, I have none to share.

Ordering a drink was a double-edged sword, really. On the one had, we got to ogle an attractive Japanese woman and feel less predatory, whilst on the other, we were made to meow (yes, meow) to indicate when we wanted her to stop pouring out the milk for our iced-coffees. As I’ve said before, the Japanese just take it in their stride. H.’s friend meowed complete with appropriate gesturing, whilst myself and D. mumbled a half-hearted ‘meuh…’ and trailed off into silence. We all felt rather special, until we saw the same maid repeat the process with an equally as enamoured table of young adults. With hearts momentarily broken, we asked for the bill and were given custom plastic membership cards. Unfortunately, the maid misheard my name rather tragically, and so forevermore I will be ‘Duck-sama’, upon a hypothetical second visit. Should I return for the 2000th time, I shall be in receipt of a Black Card, with, as the pamphlet said, ‘unknown’ privileges. No prizes, ladies and gentlemen, no prizes.

More Akihabara cityscape.

And so, Akihabara came to a close. I reluctantly left the beeping gizmos behind, but I was about to experience something slightly more profound: traditional Japan.

]]> http://alexnassar.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/modern-warfare-ii-enfin-dispo/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:57:27 +0000 a.l.e.x http://alexnassar.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/modern-warfare-ii-enfin-dispo/ http://alizemorand.com/2009/11/09/vogue-covers-in-paris/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:27:38 +0000 Alize Morand http://alizemorand.com/2009/11/09/vogue-covers-in-paris/

VOGUE Paris has been all over Parisian streets. Well, one in particular, and you have probably heard of it.. Champs-Elysées anyone?

Celebrating the best covers of the iconic fashion bible, a plein-air exhibition was set on the Champs, for everyone to admire. Lucky me I happened to be in Paris just on time to witness the public display of love and elegance. Not only did the gorgeous exhibition remind me of the best of the magazine, the endless creativity and audacious choices of its covers – often designed by famous artists and illustrators – but it also showed another side, more engaged in society and reflective of certain times. Just like when the magazine stopped, during WW2, and the post-war covers, totally un-fashioned, but soon followed by the New Look, mirroring society’s bubbly 50s and swinging sixties.

I had not seen most of these covers before, from the 20s illustrated covers to more recent decades’ modern takes on the ‘cover style’, which is why I particularly appreciated this journey through the century in style. Very useful explanations were displayed along the covers, to put it back in context, a blessing that too many exhibitions today miss for the sake of art snobbery.

What I liked most about this exhibition though, was the public aspect of it, this feeling that fashion belongs to everyone and is part of French culture, and for that reason should be exhibited in the street, because eventually, this is where true style and trends are born.

If I made you want to go jump on the first Eurostar, please refrain, the exhibition only lasted for a few weeks and is just over. A book compiling the best Vogue covers is available though, to keep a piece of fashion history.

Pictures: right: cover with Sofia Coppola, one of my favourites from December/January 2005; left: Kate Moss in Vogue Paris October 09 Super-models issue, photography by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, styled by Emmanuelle Alt, Kate is wearing an Isabel Marant leopard fur jacket.

Nadau Lavergne Architects reimagines the Grand Concourse as a linear urban forest in one proposal in this show at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

The Design Trust for Public Space in New York recently unveiled the results of a nine-month design competition focusing on the revitalization of the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, a long-neglected piece of New York’s City Beautiful legacy.

Could we do something similar with the Paseo in Kansas City?

Nu är jag tillbaka i bloggen. Tillbaka från Paris!
Eiffeltornet, halvt täckt i dimma.

Jag utanför Moulin Rouge.

På söndan mötte min fina vän Anca upp oss. Vi hade inte setts sen 2007!

I Paris besökte vi nog alla sevärdheter som man har hört talas om. Eiffeltornet, Sacre Coeur, Triumfbågen, Louvren, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Champs Èlysées… Sen upptäckte man att det fanns ännu mer sevärdheter! Men dom får vänta till en annan gång.

Hej alla underbara!

Nu är jag tillbaka. Eller jag kom i och för sej igår, men då var jag så fruktansvärt bakis, så jag klarade inte att blogga då.

Men nu är jag här och tänkte berätta om resan till Paris.
Det händer alltid något crazy när jag och Vera är ute och härjar i världen. Denna gången lyckades jag tappa kameran, så jag har inte fler bilder än dom våran vän LM tog.
I alla fall…

Vi kom fram till Paris vid sjutiden på kvällen. Då väntade en man på oss (en som var anställd på Ritz). Han sa att våran bil var lite försenad, så han undrade vad han kunde göra för oss. Hehe, han fick köpa varsin latte till oss. Sen satt han 10 meter ifrån oss och vaktade våra väskor och höll koll så vi hade det bra. Classy.
Efter en liten stund så kom chauffören som körde oss till Ritz. Fett nice! Haha!

Det var som vanligt fint på Ritz hotell! När vi kom in i rummet så var LM där med två tjejer, en från Ryssland och en från Schweiz. Jätte trevliga tjejer, INTE! Dom var fruktansvärt sura och otrevliga. Menmen, alla kan inte vara lika roliga som mej och Vera. haha.
Dom gick i alla fall efter en timma ungefär.
Vi åt lax och gjorde oss i ordning. Till slut var nunnedräkterna på plats och vi såg ut så här:

Vi började förkröka lite på rummet och sen åkte vi vidare till en restaurang och åt pilgrimsmusslor. Mumsfillibabba!
Sen satte vi oss i bilen och fortsatte dricka haha!

Sen åkte vi till VIProom och självklart hade vi ett vipbord där.
Dansade och hade skitkul hela natten ända fram till 06.00 på morgonen! Då var det dags att dra sej tillbaka till hotellet. Halv sju kom vi fram och gick och lade oss med en gång.

Vi sov lite halvbra och vaknade vid tolvtiden. Då beställde vi roomservice och snackade lite om kvällen.
Men sen blev vi trötta igen, så vi sov lite till.
När vi vaknade igen så ringde vi chauffören och bad han hämta oss. Han körde oss till en jättemysig restaurang på gatan, Champs-Elysées.
Men som allt annat, så hade denna resan också ett slut. Det var dags att åka hem igen.
Jag och Vera hade även kul på hemresan eftersom vi pratade och skrattade om hur kul vi hade det under helgen.

Som vanligt en toppenresa!!!
(Jag ska försöka få fler bilder av LM!!)

Thats all.

Caminado por Champs Elysees, llegamos al Obelisco de la Concordia o L’obelisque de la Concorde donde tomamos muchas fotos y disfrutamos de su verde prado a pesar del frío y el mal clima que cubría esa parte de la ciudad. El grupo decidió regresar y caminar sobre el Puente de Alexandro III donde se puede apreciar de una lado la Torre Eiffel y buena parte del Río Sena. El puente Alejandro III es el más bello de los puentes parisinos. Uniendo la explanada de Les Invalides con el Petit Palais y el Grand Palais. Aquí nos dimos vuelo con las fotos y nos tocó la suerte ver a unos novios que buscaban la mejor pose de su gran día teniendo como fondo la torre y las cuatro imponentes columnas de 17 metros de alto rematadas por estatuas de Pegasos en bronce dorado que se encuentran en las extremidades del puente.

www.mundocity.com/europa/paris/invalides.html

Let’s have a good look at what we are talking about…by sharing some of the best vantage points to survey these cities. The obvious; in Paris – the Eiffel Tower, in New York – the Empire State Building, of course they give you that panoramic bird’s eye view of your surroundings, though at heights that obscure the finer details. As magnificent as they are, I find many other sites in both cities provide perspectives that are just as breath taking.

The historical restrictions on the height of buildings in central Paris lends itself to having a small number of extraordinary locations, while in New York the availability of so many office towers provides endless opportunities for less common but still striking views assuming you know someone with access to them.

In Paris, you must often climb many steps to be rewarded with such vistas. You can hike up inside the towers of Notre Dame and while communing with the spirit of Quasimodo, gaze down the Seine.  A winding tour of the Pantheon, the final resting place of France’s great men and women, leads you up to a balcony that surrounds its dome. At the top of the Champs-Élysées, in the center of the world’s greatest traffic circle, the Arc de Triomphe will share its majestic view with you. Trek up the famous steps leading to Sacre Coeur where you will be able to take in a grand view overlooking all of Paris. From the Palais de Chaillots looking back across the Seine provides one of the most spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower.

The Galleries Lafayette can lend itself to skyline gazing on its rooftop terrace and the outdoor terraces in the Pompidou and D’Orsay museums offer more modest but still lovely views. The roof top sculpture garden at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY provides a delightful view of its Central Park surroundings.

A boat ride along the Seine offers a comfortable way of obtaining a sea level perspective of the heart of Paris from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame.  In New York the Statue of Liberty provides great views of NY harbor and the downtown financial district, which can also be experienced by taking the free Staten Island Ferry. From Rockefeller Park by the Battery the harbor continues to beckon and is especially captivating at sunset. There are boat tours which circumnavigate the island of Manhattan giving a complete water borne perspective of the island.

In NY driving offers opportunities not readily available by other means. The numerous major bridges surrounding Manhattan each provide dramatic views, especially recommended are the Brooklyn and 59^th street bridges heading into the city. The Brooklyn Queens expressway passing over the Kosciusko Bridge looks out at the entire length of Manhattan.

In both the City of Lights and the City that Never Sleeps try to visit as many of these places after dusk as possible. But the real thrill in exploring these cities will be when you come across an unexpected scene of such beauty that it will stop you in your tracks and leave a big smile of wonder on your face.

Paris, France

After some good night rest I meet Chris at the breakfast table, where we talk about what we’re going to do today. Both of us want to see the main sights, so decisions are made pretty easy. We are going to see sights like the Eifel Tower, Notre Dame, the Sacré Coeur, Arc the Triomphe etc. So it’s going to be a full scheduled day, but we’re sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. 

Since it’s still early we decide to start off with the Eifel Tower. This is of course the must visit of Paris, and apparently we are not the only ones that decide to visit this sight as early as possible. There is a wait of 2 hours to go to the top of the tower, can you imagine what it is at mid-day? And besides that it’s quite expensive too, 13 Euros each, that about 20 dollar! Well we decide not to wait and just make some pictures and leave again. It’s way too crowded over here anyway. 

We hope that we have more luck at the Sacré Coeur. Thankfully Paris got an excellent metro system so we don’t have to walk that far. Even though we can imagine something worse then walking through the beautiful Paris. When we arrived, there was an unpleasant surprise, 237 steps up the narrow staircase. We could take the ‘Montmartre funicular‘, a little railway. Though of course this is big business and so it’s pretty expensive, so we start walking. When we arrived on the top we decide to just sit for about 20 minutes and enjoy the beautiful view on Paris. 

Chris and I always thought the Sacré-Coeur was a quite an old church, well and it is, 100 years is still old though we expected it to be older. It was built for the almost 60 thousand victims in the Franco-Prussian war which ended in the late 19^th century. We also would like to see the church form the inside and we pay a fee to get in. You’re not allowed to take any pictures and you should be quiet, after all it’s still a church. We light a candle in front of one of the several altars and someone asks us to leave the building, because the service is going to start in a few minutes. 

The Sacré-Coeur lies on top of the hill Montmartre, which is also the famous artist district. Artist like Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso used to work here, though nowadays it’s, shamefully, more focused on the tourist industry. Though to be honest it’s still nice to walk around even though they try to rip you off and you should watch out for pickpockets, as you should in every big city! Even though we are pretty hungry we decide not to eat yet, because Montmartre is a really expensive lunch place. 

We take the metro to a station close to the Notre Dame though not to close because we would like to eat something cheap and easy. We find a nice little restaurant a few blocks from the famous church. After relaxing a bit we visit the Notre Dame. The Notre Dame de Paris, which means ‘the old lady of Paris’, is a Ghotic style Roman-Chatolic church that was completed in 1345, even though they started building in 1163. We decide not to go inside because there is a really big line up before going in to the church. But what do you expect with 14 million visits a year, which is an average of 40.000 a day! Well, and now we do not get inside we can’t break anything either, in 1990 someone removed a candle without authorization, a crime that can lead up to 20 years in prison! Isn’t that insane?

 We visit the Arc de Tiomphe, which was nice though the roundabout was pretty busy so Chris and I were not really able to talk properly. After this we walked together along the famous ‘Avenue des Champs-Élysées’. Because it’s already pretty late we decide to go back to the hotel to eat something. The hotel got a nice French menu, which includes the famous Beef Bourguignon of Julia Child. That’s also the course I ordered, with of course a nice red wine. While eating I talked to Chris about the wonderful day we had, unfortunately Chris goes back to the UK tomorrow, so I will be alone again. After dinner I decide to go to the Louvre, I ask Chris if he will join me though he has to pack for tomorrow. 

The Louvre, the world most famous museum, is wonderful picture at night. The museum has a really good collection which includes painter like Rembrandt van Rijn, Leonardo da Vinci, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and Rafaël Santi. While reading da Vinci you of course though of the Mona Lisa, and believe me that was also the main reason why I came to visit the Louvre. Thankfully it’s already late in the evening and it isn’t that crowded anymore so I’m able to walk properly through the popular exhibitions. 

Though I’m also pretty tired after the busy day and decide not to go to bed that late. I also decided that I’m going to leave Paris tomorrow. There is so much to see that I can stay forever in this wonderful city, though I feel that it was enough for this time. Tomorrow I’m going to the West, but not before I visited the palace of Versailles in the morning!

Are you interested in the city of Paris? Here are some books I recommend. Please click on the picture for more information.

Desi perceptia comuna ne convinge ca legatura între cultura si mobilitate este o inventie recenta, o analiza mai atenta a fenomenului social pe care îl desemnam cu termenul general de turism (chiar daca poate acoperi, în unele cazuri, realitati diametral opuse) ne introduce (uimitor ?) spre una din experientele fundamentale ale societatii umane. Mondializarea concretizata prin accelerarea schimbului de marfuri, capital, oameni si idei este, pentru moment, cea mai pertinenta grila de interpretare antropologica a schemei cognitive umane.

Si totusi …  Cu cât suntem mai avansati odata ce s-a afirmat (si unanim acceptat de comunitatea stiintifica, filosofica si religioasa) ca omul “zis primitiv” întelege lumea dupa aceleasi tipare ca si omul “zis modern” din inima Cartierului Latin din Paris sau din City of London ?

Or … diferenta rezida în detaliu ! Mobilitatea si implicit stapânirea spatiului în care aceasta are loc, este sursa principala ce alimenteaza constructia “culturala” a lumii care ne înconjoara. În schimb, daca pâna foarte recent, acest demers era rezervat doar reprezentantilor elitei (regi, nobili …), de acum, asistam la  democratizarea lui si la o multi-polarizare de explicatii culturale simultan valabile. Experienta mobilitatii devine  accesibila aproape fiecarui individ si, în societatile noastre contemporane, este identificata chiar cu dreptul la libertate.

În acest context, autoritatea (statul, scoala, tatal …), cea care construieste raspunsurile valabile si securizante pentru grup,  va intra în conflict cu raspunsurile individuale care probabil sunt chiar mai valabile. Aceasta este lumea spre care ne îndreptam ! În aceasta lume noua, o persoana careia scoala i-a adus o suma de cunostinte si tehnici, nu poate ramâne decât descoperit daca nu îsi acorda privilegiul unor experiente complementare, în prelungirea cunoasterii livresti. Acestea numai pot sa-l acompanieze spre maturitate si sa-i dea încredere în sine si în propria lui viziune “cultural” construita asupra lumii.

În Grecia antica, regele legendar (cf. “Manualul” de Epictet) putea aduce noi raspunsuri caci proaspat întors din calatorie si devenit “iubitor de întelepciune”, philos sophia. A 2-a etapa se deruleaza la sfârsitul sec XIX când noua burghezie engleza nascuta în urma revolutiei industriale îsi trimite tinerii în “marele tur” al Europei. Este vorba de un adevarat rit initiatic la care familiile se constrângeau (uneori la un nivel aproape absurd) ca sa asigure copiilor (de cele mai multe ori era vorba despre cel mai  mare dintre baieti) o experienta de alteritate în cadrul unei calatorii în Europa ce putea dura între 6 si 24 luni în functie de rangul social. Marele tur al tinerilor englezi a dat nastere turismului, cuvânt inexistent pâna atunci în vreo limba europeana. Odata întorsi acesti tineri acasa, deveniti adulti si, de multe ori, în pozitii de responsabilitate,  ei au lansat tendinte si au influentat, inexorabil, evolutia societatii lor.

În a 3-a etapa, astazi, asistam la un fenomen de difuzare  a practicilor de mobilitate (si a reflexiilor culturale corespunzatoare) spre baza piramidei sociale si spre toate zonele geografice. Atât numai ca în fiecare an acest ritual se re-inventeaza. Azi, un Tur al Europei de o saptamâna dar acompaniat cu un discurs adecvat, hranit cu reflexii specifice perioadei post-moderne în care se afla gândirea actuala,  poate fi echivalent cu cei 2 ani ai nobilului englez din sec XIX sau al fiului/fiicei cuplului de bobo parizieni (prescurtarea vine de la expresia “bourgois bohème” : idealul de intelectual european actual, matur , 50 ani dar o viziune optimista ca la 25 ani, angajat în viata sociala comunitara si mondiala).