International hello to everyone! I am saying “International” because I went to different countries lately (could have become a “polyglot” but still speaking only 1,5 languages))). But if being serious, here I am, please love and favour! It’s been such a long time without me sharing my experience and opening my soul for you, darlings…
Despite the fact that I am not in Paris anymore (yes, Ieft this magical city for now), and managed to visit some other interesting places (countries) in the last week, today I am continuing my French photo-report. So you are very welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the pages of my (lets hope) surprising album, enveloped in a truly French flavor of Chanel No. 5.
In the last article, I covered my unexpected meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy. The time of such interesting meetings continues. Actually, in Paris I felt as a magnet that was attracting well-known characters on its way.
It was a sunny day when I was walking down the Champs Elysees (in truth, I rushed to the museum, not noticing anyone or anything on my way, but for the more poetical narrative I prefer to say that I was walking, enjoying the amazing atmosphere of this romantic city, anyway nobody can really check))). And suddenly, my eyes caught HIM… a young man that was standing out from the crowd. He was dressed in a sport uniform with the number 10 and «Tatan» written on the back of his T-shirt. Seeing the crowd that gathered around him and professional photographers I concluded that … the museum could wait a bit 🙂
I didn’t ask him for an autograph or a “selfie”. Before doing so I decided to find who he was. How surprised I was when I went into the dark corner, wandering in the wilds of the Internet while searching for “Tatan 10″ and then saw him in front of me!…he actually came to me and kindly offered a sticker with his picture on it (here is an anecdote on the subject: “I bought a new microwave. It’s been two hours that I spent trying to take the label off with the words “Life is easier than it seems…” “). Continuing the story… after the sticker-gift, we (consensually) decided to take a photo together (as I didn’t have a sticker with my image for Tatan’s memory about this Siberian Parisien that was rushing to the museum)).
And afterwards I found out that he was not Tatan and not a sportsman but a TV-presenter, a humorist called Maxime Musqua (by the way popular in France and I think he has about 400 000 followers on Facebook and as about me, well, I didn’t know who he was so I was really relaxed with him and he seemed to be a very lovely, funny, friendly man))
Paris – how much of sweet and tasty things merged in this word (name)! Very often I “was eating” just with looking at the shops’ windows with pastry and sweets. It somehow gave me the thought and feel of heaven or the works of art at least! I am ready to represent you, dear readers, a small selection of “tasty” pictures (with the appropriate high prices (in euros)).
By the way, if speaking about food. It’s been thought that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The mystery of the question was unveiled for me in Paris! In fact, the answers lie on the surface, we just need to be a little bit watchful!
The way to a man’s heart is through the legs!)))
While continuing the subject of l’amour and hearts (because it is Paris, my dears!)
That’s a sign which I found near the Louvre which was showing the way to the thing that many of us seek, found, or just going to search for…
Certainly, most of us would dare to say, and even to assure that it is not possible for London or New York appear in the city of Paris, but I am breaking boundaries and uploading a small series of photos entitled “Apple (NY) and The UK in Paris”
By the way, Champs Elysees in the early rainy Sunday-morning are absolutely amazing, no people at all). Don’t get me wrong – I do love people a lot!! But it’s really nice to be alone in a place where usually all you can see is a crowd.
New York and The Louvre
I also cannot leave the Victory Day story untold, which I was lucky enough (or unlucky, who knows) to experience in Paris. By the way, this great holiday is celebrated on the 8th of May in France, in contrast to Russia (where we celebrate it on the 9th of May).
The weather was bad on the day or rather neutral, with a bit of rain, wind and, it was chilly too. Perhaps the sun was also celebrating the Victory day somewhere with its friends, while forgetting about us – ordinary and extraordinary mortal people, and its work to shine and delight homosapiens.
As I stayed closed to the center, where the ceremony took place, I had a choice whether to go to the Arc de Triomphe (which crowned the Champs Elysees), or the statue of Charles de Gaulle, that located about 1.1 mile from the arch. With my “perfect” French, I thought that the statue was my aim and went there. On my way I was looking at the tricolor while remembering our own, native one.
How much surprised I was when I saw those half-empty streets and sidewalks! By saying this I mean that there were not many people willing to see the parade. Of course, I was kind of shocked even, knowing how many people usually come to enjoy the ceremony in Russian cities. After some time, we (The four Musketeers and I))) came to please the parade’s participants.
When the horses with their riders (or better riders with their horses, who knows) lined up in a row, the orchestra played “Marseillaise” (French national anthem), which I once learnt by my heart and could well be singing, but decided to be a bit modest this time. During the national anthem and further speech, I was staying and watching the horses. Of course, most of the eyes were turned to the horse that decided to pee, right there and then, during the ceremony. It was very quiet around and no doubt, the stream was heard very well. Perhaps, it was a wrong time to do so but how one can go against nature? And I must say, I was glad about this natural behaving. After all, we (the people) all the time adjust to the different rules, the world around us, for everything and everyone, and the horse behaves naturally! It is so valuable in times of the 21st century. Well, I believe it’s my personal opinion and you may not agree with me, it’s your choice, dears.
When everyone left the place (and horses, and spectators as well), I was left alone with several policemen by my side. Being a naïve person, I was staying and waiting for Francois Hollande and his speech. Believe me he was about to appear and make a speech for me (apparently), as the audience consisted of the only person and that was myself. Then one of the gendarmes told me that all the actions were taking place at the Arc de Triomphe and that I, obviously, came to the wrong place. When I finally reached the point B, I realized that I didn’t have long legs from the ears (we use this expression in Russia), but from the hips only and it did not help me at all…what’s more I couldn’t even see the screen properly (which was showing the ceremony). And these pink hair… well, it was a lucky day for me. Obviously, I had more pleasure of meeting Nicholas Sarkozy unexpectedly the other day…
And there was a dog on the way to the arc that attracted my attention. He was sitting and waiting for his host faithfully, that was excited about the horses’ parade. And again there is a comparison: people and animals. Citizens and tourists of Paris were so passionate while occupying the best places, gathered near the fences, when the dog didn’t bother at all and looked very tired and even sad…maybe he was thinking about eternity. I can only guess.
I would also like to talk about the railway stations of Paris, not exactly about the stations themselves, but about those fabulous musical moments that I was lucky to experience there. The fact that each (at least the 4 train stations that I was able to visit during my stay in Paris) of them has a piano, where anyone can play for him/herself and for others. Since I visited many railway stations and some of them even more than once (now someone might think “yes! I knew she was staying at the station (not a studio) and most likely in a box”))), I was lucky enough to enjoy the music of different professionals. Yes, I do believe that all of them were professionals! Oh, how wonderfully they played…and mostly classics, though, I remember once there was a song “I will make a man out of you” (cartoon “Mulan”), something from Yiruma and other. I became a fan of the ”musical station” idea! Thanks to the French government or the Department of Culture! Just imagine: you are waiting for a train, or buying a ticket, or simply resting in your box)) and then all what you hear is classical music, performed on the piano! Ah, what a bliss! What a magic!
The fairy tale continued with the Disney characters illustrated with the crayons on the pavement (on my way from the station). One way of making money…I cannot say that such a creativity is my cup of tea and can possibly touch my soul, but the theme chosen by the artist was close to me, because it was a lovely reminder of my childhood – the carefree, joyful, bright childhood, tightly associated with the work of such a magician Walt Disney! Seeing (and most importantly feeling) the hard work which the artist performed sitting on the road, under the scorching sun, and the tourists taking some photos of him but not paying at all, I decided to leave a couple of euros for the man though was run out of money myself. But the next day I received a larger amount of money and in a completely unexpected way, so what goes around comes around… (obvious thing), also Justin Timberlake can prove my words! ahah
Paris is so beautiful and amazing that even the muse visited myself and I worked on a painting for some time, where I drew Notre Dame Cathedral in my own style. And I painted it not only near the cathedral itself but also from a distance, in the park Monceau (Monceau pronounced is “monso” can you imagine that the combination of letters «eau» reads as “o” in French! And then they (French people) say “c’est la vie”. Yes, it’s a life where sometimes they pronounce 4 letters out of 10! So anyway I would like to pay attention to this fabulous place (I mean the park). According to my faithful and all-knowing friend (talking about the Internet here), I learnt that the name of the park came from the village, which was previously located in its place and called Mousseaux. Monceau – is an English-style park with wide walking parkways, winding paths, conservatory, lovely bright flower gardens, waterfalls and cliffs, various statues, miniature Egyptian pyramid, Corinthian columns and so on. It’s not a surprise that the park inspired many artists of different genres and generations (and even a happy Siberian girl – myself).
Here is a photo of Claude Monet‘s painting which he did in 1876.
There is an interesting fact that happened in October 22, 1797 when Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first jump with a silk parachute and landed in the park Monceau.
This place seemed to me a mysteriously magical, very calm and peaceful, like a secret place in Paris. And even when there were a lot of visitors, it remained very cozy and comfortable for creativity. I believe that no many tourists know about the existence of this park…
And now I would like to tell you a bit of Parisian storefronts’ life (or “window shopping”), for those who prefer material things rather than spiritual or just a beautiful showcase for the shopping-lovers. By the way, showcases here, in Paris, is like another world, great art, and generally very creative, interesting thing. Unfortunately, I was so fascinated by some of it that didn’t really expand my photo archive in this category, but presenting you the bit I have…
“Dumb and dumber” would be confused…which one to chose))
“One should never listen to the flowers. One should simply look at them and breathe their fragrance.” (Antoine de Saint Exupéry)
Boutique «Antiquites Haussmann». Buying and selling antiques
Beauty for anyone’s wardrobe
A door of an expensive Italian shoe-boutique
Here is a window of an art gallery. An interesting idea of a palette painted that caught my attention.
This was a Russian souvenir shop with a large selection and high prices (although the goods in the store were of good quality)
An incredible sculpture made of chocolate! (Chocolate Shop)
Pistachio store
Simply lovely
One of the miracles, which I discovered in Paris, was the modern business district of La Défense. It is also called “Parisian Manhattan.” It is the largest business center in Europe. Internet says (yes, it does talk to me periodically)) that there are about about 20 000 people living there and around 150 000 coming there every day for a working purpose.
Personally, I was amazed by many different things of the area … even the way to the place was great. It took me an hour and a half to get there and already on the way there were views or architectures that attracted my attention. For example, Théâtre des Sablons. I liked this installation with the teapots, which reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. I also imagined that I was in a fairy tale …and I really was on the way to this Parisian modern fairy tale!
A church (if I am not mistaken, it was the church of St. Pierre)
La Défense is so close! That’s it…(although after this photo was taken, I managed to walk for another 30 minutes before coming to the skyscrapers itself. You can officially call me – “a dreaming snail that captures everything on its way”)))
While crossing the bridge, I decided to look down to the river Seine, and saw the athletes! One even posed for me. He was such a “Caesar” – was working with his team, and for my camera – both at the same time.
And here I am, in the area, the happiness has already begun to spread throughout the body, affecting hidden corners of my soul.
Sculpture “Point Croissance” by LIM Dong-Lak in the Defense
How wonderful it was that I came just in time for the sunset, I went up to the arch (modern prototype of the Arc de Triomphe, which, by the way could have been seen far ahead)
I sat down on the very top step and just watched the sun! There were different images, stories and dreams running in my head at this magical moment… hard to explain how much I was penetrated by the strings (or jets or beams) of HAPPINESS! It’s so hard to explain that I cannot even chose the right word, ahah, but the fact that I was just sitting on the steps of the building, in a simple tracksuit, it was cold with the strong wind, but I was over the moon about everything: the sun that was about to sleep, the magnificent sky, nature and the fact that I can just sit down and feel TIME – here and now, nowhere to run, no hurry … that time I was also thinking that no matter how beautiful Paris was, its architecture, paintings of great artists and so on, nature – this is real great beauty!
I think I will finish my post with such positive lovely notes…I would be glad to share and express more but maybe next time…I wish you to appreciate, enjoy and love the nature! It’s such an incredible thing, pure beauty which we should take care of! My blog is about happiness and I do believe that nature is a big part of our happiness!
Wish you all the very best, dears! Lots of love and see you soon!
P.S. As my photos may not illustrate La Defense in its best look here you can see some more photos of it…
История Современной Золушки из Вестминстера. Westminster's Cinderella. 
