Sunday in Paris, again

Our first weekend in Paris was quiet and carefree. We strolled around much of our neighborhood, checking out the Asian markets in nearby Belleville and of course the local flea market along rue Parmentier. In fact the vendors were out right in front of our apartment on rue du General Renault. We were certainly not in the market for anything but couldn't help notice that apparently most of Paris was here looking for some knick-knack or another to take up residence in a corner somewhere.


And of course some were looking for that perfect hat.

There was also a garden festival going on in the 11th and lots of folks were just enjoying the live music played off and on throughout the day right in the Square Gardette, just a few meters from our front door.


We did manage to get our cartre l'orange, our public transport passes (I had to get my picture taken again). The passes allow us unlimited use of the Metro, busses, trams or RER (within historic Paris). Very cool. I cannot tell you how much we enjoy not having a car. We thoroughly enjoy living in a city like Paris where much of what you need or want is within walking distance and that which is not is easily access by the Metro system. So where does that leave us in Providence? Well I suppose we'll have to wait and see. . .

And speaking of the Metro, Sunday late afternoon we took the number 9 from St. Ambroise (3 minutes from our apartment) to the Trocadero, on the other side of Paris. It took us probably 20 minutes or so to get there! What a way to travel.

Anyway, the Trocadero was packed with tourists, many of whom were probably in Paris because of the World Rugby Cup now going on here. I suppose most of them were down at the huge beer tent splayed out below the Trocadero overlooking the Eiffel (which has a huge scoreboard on it right now). I still can't believe this city once contemplated tearing it down. But then it was painted a bright yellow originally so that might explain such a hostile reaction.

There were a couple of groups of young kids out breakdancing (for a few Euros, not a bad way to pick up some spare change, eh?).

And there were also several members of the new generation of breakdancers hovering right on the edge of the crowd:

In case you're interested I've also put online a short, very short video from our whirl across the esplanade at the Trocadero. You can access it along with more photos taken that day and a couple of other videos from our Monday outing with friend Diane by clicking here!

After leaving the Trocadero we walked down to Place d'Alma where we sat outside enjoying a superb fall evening, sipping a little campari and watching the crowds spin around the rotary overlooking the Seine with an occasional person deviating from the crowd toward the impromptu diana memorial. (Curiously the memorial is on and around the facsimile of the Statue of Liberty torch. I suppose because the accident happened nearby by in the underground motorway beneath the Place.)

We left the Place d'Alma and walked down into the Metro to take the no. 9 back home. All in all not a bad way to get back into living in Paris again.

Wish you had been there,

Steve