Raymond's Blog » Paris People

Paris People–Among the Crowd

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:25:36 +0000

The first thing I noticed as I left the subway station near my hotel for the first time, was the sheer amount of people. And then, you immediately notice the beggars. Although this is no different than any other major city, cast against the backdrop of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame cathedral it somehow resonates. This older woman was wondering the crowds just outside the Louvre, and she could have been any number of women we saw on Champs Elysees, Rue di Rivoli, or just hanging around the subway. I have honest debate within myself whether to show this person, but this is the best image that captures how it is to walk through the busy crowds and so I finally decided to put it up.

Paris People–Gelareh in the Cafe

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:15:57 +0000

The Cafes in Paris are as remarkable as their folklore suggest. They are everywhere and provide a nice break in the tourist action. Here Gelareh is smiling after a warm sip of Cappuccino on a brisk Paris morning in a Cafe near Notre Dame.

Paris People–Peddling Eiffel Tower

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:13:55 +0000

As you get off the Eiffel Tower elevators you are bombarded by a swarm of peddlers trying their best to convince you their trinkets are the ones you need. The gauntlet continues until you actually leave the immediate area around the tower.

Paris People–Subway Guitar

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:11:03 +0000

Street performers are everywhere in Paris, and this gentleman in the Subway at Chatlet station was getting rave reviews.

Paris People–Viewing the Mona Lisa

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:09:48 +0000

For me, viewing the Mona Lisa was the most anticlimactic part of my trip. It might be my engineer brain getting the best of me, or it might be that I just didn’t have time to set in front of the painting and soak it in. However, the crowds and buzz around the painting were quite interesting. People filed in, videotaped, snapped pictures, shoved, stretched, and finally got their couple seconds to view Leonardo’s masterpiece. All the while, there were three beautiful works by Leonardo hanging in the main gallery that you could get close enough to smell, and for as long as you please.

Paris People–Copying a Masterpiece

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:05:39 +0000

Another surprise in the Italian painting section of the Louvre was a gentleman setup to copy one of the many masterpieces on display. A crowed gathered around this gentleman as he very skillfully recreated the portrait.

Paris People–Learning to Draw at the Louvre

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:03:30 +0000

I was astounded to learn that somehow you could take a drawing class inside the Louvre. This particular class was working on sketching in the sculpture exhibits. The instructor would time them, and when time was called the students would throw their pads at his feet where he would give instant feedback. What at setting.

Paris People–French Setter?

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:01:29 +0000

As many know, I am a big fan of English Setters, and oddly enough while walking around one day we can across this beutiful male lounging around a playground while his owners enjoyed a playground.

Paris People–Gelareh Nestled in her Scarf

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:59:27 +0000

Being tourists, we temporarily qualified as Paris people as well! We climbed the tower at Notre Dame in 40°F and very windy weather. As a result, Gelareh’s neck scarf became a temporary head scarf/ear muff.

Paris People–Gyros

rchafin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:55:09 +0000

Near Notre Dame Cathedral there is are a selection of tight streets packed with little restaurants and quaint shops. Gyros are popular in the area, and open windows show vendors carving away for hungry guests inside.