I'm back ... back home, back to Paris, ... just in time to enjoy the holidays.
Its such a warm feeling being back with the one you love.
Happy Holidays to all!
PP
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Partager More ...Bourgogne Day 3
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| Notre- Dame of Semur-en-Auxois, for the children lost in the war Mr. T promised that if I let him rest on Sunday, we could "run all around" on Saturday, so of course, I took him up on it. I had done my homework about the area, and felt that my biggest opportunity for satisfying my curious needs to "search high and low" and "look around every corner" was in Semur-en-Auxois, just a short drive from our gite in Tivauche. True enough, the city wasn't far, the weather was perfect and the light was great for photos. Our first sight of the city forced "AWE", a city that dates back to the 12th century deserves an AWE! Our first stop was Notre-Dame of Semu-En-Auxois considered a remarkable example of Gothic art, construction began in the 13th century. Our fingers were hot on the shutter button, and after taking every angle of the church, the gardens, the city, the bridge to the city....etc. we called it a day ... what another great day in Bourgogne. Planning some time in Bourgogne? Highly recommended! I, on the other hand, am heading back across the pond for a while, to a place where internet is still a foreign word...posts will be sporadic, but I will check in from time to time. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, PPxx |
Friday, November 19, 2010
Partager More ... Bourgogne Day 2 Wine Tasting in Irancy
"Miam ... Miam, Quick get him on the phone! " I said after the first smell ... le nez ... was interesting, complex, yet simple,and le gout had hints of blackberries, honey, smokey ... in other words, it was delicious - a 2006 Irancy. I was not familiar with Irancy, never had I seen it at my local wine shop. "He will be happy to see you anytime over the weekend, just give a call before you arrive." How simple, how nice, how I was looking forward to our trip to Irancy the next day. The ride was a bit longer than I had thought, and the roads were a bit narrower than was comfortable at times ... tractors tend to own these roads, as they should ...
"You have arrived at your destination", Mme. Navigator informed us. We stared down over this beautiful valley, sunset just beginning, and marveled at the view in front of us.
Now onto taste some wine! PPxx
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Partager more ... Bourgogne Wine and Region
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| Tivauche |
With the excitement of getting away, I forgot that it was a "fete" in France, thus all would be closed ... so our smiles turned upside down as we drove along seeing everything closed up tight ... no baguette, no petit supermarche, no wine, no nothing ... so, with a determination to make it thru the evening on 2 apples and a half bottle of wine, few chips and half a sandwich I didn't eat at lunch, we arrived at Tivauche. The owners, Bill and Jenny, welcomed us, let us in ... and sheepishly we asked about any stores open nearby .... ? With a wide smile and shining eyes, they said follow us... In 10 minutes we were loaded down with homemade bread, pasta, ratatouille, cereal, goat's milk, and TWO bottles of wine from Irancy (which leads to another story...) A warmer welcome I have never had before ....
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| One of the criteria ... |
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Partager ma Vue
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| "Ma Vue" |
This is a familiar view for me ... and I will miss it while I am gone. Luckily , Mr. T can keep a watch for me, just to make sure all is OK across the way. It is interesting how in days gone by, this closeness would have really annoyed me, this "vis-a-vis" as it is called, would have been enough to force me to complain loudly that "I have no privacy!" but, for some reason, here, in this place, I just don't mind. I appreciate it, and I wait to see someone move about over there. I feel as though I am a small part of something bigger, and I am secure in that feeling. Its a lovely vue. One I will miss, but not forever... and, of course, the vues to come will be welcome, too! 
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Friday, November 5, 2010
Partager les Fleurs
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| Ornamental Cabbage The cooler days have changed the looks of the les fleurs at the florists on rue Cler. We have the cyclamens, decorative cabbages, the end of the hortensias, the red berries, and a lot of brightly colored foliage to add to your bouquets.  The weekend has also rolled around once again, so keep these flowers in mind if you have been lucky enough to have received a dinner invitation for the weekend. As invited guests, or les invites, the french are accustomed to arriving with a bon cadeau of chocolates or flowers. I really like this tradition, don't you? Bon weekend! PPxx |
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Partager L'Autumn
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| Champ de Mars Its happened. Overnight. The leaves have tombé sur la terre. This is always such a beautiful time in Paris. The walks by the Seine take on another dimension. The Jardin de Luxembourg becomes a monastery, a place of worship, everyone overcome with the colors that nature has painted on this season's canvas. As leaves swirl down to find connection with where they arose, we, too, unknowingly are performing the same ritual. This morning, I opened a magazine that I had stowed away for future reference of some sort, and out slipped a red leaf from last fall. Still perfect, still with its beautiful rich colors. What a nice reminder of the past year's fall adventures. Go find your perfect fall leaf and tuck it away .... it will reward you someday. PPxx |
Friday, October 29, 2010
Partager Afternoon Tea á la Français
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| Afternoon Delights I seemed to run into him everywhere I went... and each time we talked about getting together and sharing photographs of our latest voyages, about his research of the Seychelles Islands, about his wife and all the grandchildren ... on and on .... and of course, it never happens. I'm sure you know what I mean. It seems to happen a lot in Paris. The reason for this is simple. In Paris, you frequently meet new people, new and exciting people who you share common interests, or they are new in town and maybe a bit lonely ... or you just want to get to know them better, and so the discussion leads to the "let's get together sometime soon" conversation. These future plans are discussed with great excitement, can't wait to get together, when? where? How? and then ... never happens. This time, when I ran into him, I was determined to send him an invitation by text, telephone, or Parisian pigeon. And I did. And he accepted. What a nice afternoon, sipping tea, and enjoying afternoon tasty delights! Hearing, in full, all of the things we had said we would discuss and much more ... I am so glad I was determined. I really should be that way more often! Partager the day and "les gouters" with a friend. You'll be glad you did. PPxx |
Monday, October 25, 2010
Partager Minds
Some days I think too much, and others ....
I just don't feel like it ...
what about you?
PPxx
I just don't feel like it ...
what about you?
PPxx
Friday, October 22, 2010
Partager NO Place like Home ....
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| My Corner ... |
When we first arrived in Paris, I had no idea the despondency I would feel before the "magic" place was found. The weeks living in an apartment wasn't so bad ... my friends would make this plain to me when I would complain about having no place to live.. "oh, the poor thing, she HAS to stay in a quaint little hotel in Paris ..."
But, the chase is on ... trying to find that perfect place, but for the moment,
There is no place like home!
PPxx
Friday, October 15, 2010
Partager Picnics in Paris
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| Picnic at Jeu de Paume vu par PP Picnics are a way of life here in Paris. Especially if you are not used to the hours of eating in restaurants, which btw, is from noon to about 2:30. After that you need to find a brasserie or café to quiet those hunger pangs ... so, picnics are one of the best ways to get thru the day. Picnics in Paris can take place just about anywhere you like. Choose a nice paté, some cheeses and fruit, few slices of ham and sausages, baguette and a nice pastry to end with ... oh, and don't forget a sampling of wine. Here we have a couple who has found the perfect spot for that quick picnic as they wait for the Jeu de Paume to open. Today, the weather has turned that lovely, romantic gray that Paris is famous for .. so, we headed to the Jeu de Paume to visit the latest retrospective and meet some of Mr. T's "imaginary friends" from Canada that he corresponds with regularly in internet photo contests, etc... So, of course, the photo exhibtion was very apropos for our meeting; and the "imaginary" friends took on a real reality before long. So glad Mr. T makes friends so easily! The exhibition was a collection of André Kertész photos sharing his beginnings in Hungary, time spent in Paris (his favorite time of his life) and his many years in NYC (1894-1985); an Hungarian photographer who became one of the leading figures of avant-garde photography in Paris. A fantastic collection which left me with words to live by... "I will be an amateur all my life ... I'm forever a beginner who discovers the world over and over ... "  The exhibition will be in Paris until 6 February, 2011, Jeu de Paume, Paris France Nice way to start each day, n'est pas? PPxx |
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Partager "le Pain" and other yummie things ...
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| Waiting for baguettes |
Yesterday I "strayed" to a NEW boulangerie. One of my friends and her husband (and their little boy) have opened their own boulangerie. It is exciting to me to visit "behind the scenes" of their shop in the 15th arrondisement, rue Vaurigard (btw, the longest street in Paris). It is charming, old shop they have really turned into something special. With its marble counters and large display windows (which she changes every 15 days, she has told me) and colorful terra cotta floor ... I feel as though I have stepped way back in time. The smells wafting thru the shop ... as I am saying "I will take one of those, and one of those ... and don't forget one of those café eclairs!"
MIam, MIam!!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Partager Photos - Adela's Show Tiime
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| Le Bon Coin Gallery Rue Montcalm |
The day was gorgeous and screamed for a trip around town. I had received an invitation to a vernissage in the 18e from a good friend in our Paris PhotoMeetup Group. Did I tell you about that? Always a good way to find your way around in a new city ... for those who like to travel with your camera, just google up Photo Meetup - city - and there you have it. We have an exceptionally good group that more or less live in Paris, so there are familiar faces each time there is a meet-up .. (take a look). Please join us sometime.
The exhibition was housed in a gallery in the 18e, right in front of the Bon Coin Café on rue Montcalm. Already the place sounded alluring ... , any connection to calm is attractive to me lately ... and since the 18e arrondisement has captured my interests recently, I have made it my new favorite arrondisement to explore. So, off I head to find my photo buddies ... The gallery has been acquired thru an organization called PAN, Paris Alumnae/i Network. PAN has been in existence since 1994, so not really new, but I had never heard of them before. It welcomes Anglophones from all walks and parts of the world, and life, something that sounds very interesting to me .. along with the very affordable dues that go along with these types of Parisian get-togethers. Their activities range from career development, social, educational, and cultural events .. many that have caught my eye as I took a glance at their website. Thanks, my friends, for telling me about this new way to enjoy another part of Paris.
But back to the Bon Coin ("A's"') photography exhibition ... we are always proud when one of OURS (photo group) is on display around town. It is a special moment, as photographers tend to relate to their pictures in emotional ways .... and when one is successful, as "A" has been, we all feel that warm, fuzzy feeling, too. A success was felt by all!
So another part of Paris discovered, along with a new group, PAN, to visit ...
Come along and Partager the fun!
PPxx
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| 18e |
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| 18e |
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Partager Les Fetes des Vendanges at Montmarte
The fall is here and that means the grapes are ready for picking, which also means it is time for Les Fetes des Vendanges at Montmarte. If you have not participated in this annual event, you really need to go! After all my years of living in Paris, last year was my first time for going to this largely celebrated affair, and now, I am sorry that I have missed many years of fun and celebration. So, don't miss out! The parade is the highlight of the fete, so check out the times on the website.
All regions of France are represented ..., so lots of entertainment, food demonstrations, wine flows freely, along with other delicious tastes and smells of the season. Starting today and thru the weekend, plan your time to include this fete des fetes!
On Saturday night, Oct. 9, in front of Sacré-Coeur, there will be Grand Feu d'Artifice en musique, some fantastic fireworks and music, by Jacques Couturier Organisation.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Partager Fondue!
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| Love Fondue! While we were visiting our bons amis in Geneva, they were kind enough to take us to one of the most "famous" restaurant to eat the VERY BEST fondue in Switzerland. The famous restaurant, Café-restaurant des Ramparts in Gruyères is known for its moitiè-moitiè, which is a creamy fondue made of gruyère cheese and fribourgeois cheese, bit of nutmeg, and of course, some Swiss white wine. The recipe works well if you use REAL Swiss cheeses and wines. Alors, you need to start planning your trip now for the proper fondue. Winter is on its way! While you are in the trés belle ville of Gruyères, take some time to visit the museum and bar of the famous surrealist sculptor/artist who made the film Alien famous, H. R Giger. His bar is quite unique and really not so scary once you've had a glass of wine or two! Bon Route! PPxx |
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Partager CARNAR - Viande D'Argentine
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This story is not for vegetarians! We have just returned from a "Not for Vegetarians" weekend with some of our bestest buds from Paris, S and JP, who have recently demanager á Geneve. That is one of the good/bad parts of living in Paris ... which is ... (this is the good part) ... you meet lots of nice people, become close .... and (this is the bad part) ... they often move away. BUT, (this is the other part of the good part), they invite you to visit them wherever their new home may be. So, we are invited to Geneva ... Walking around the quartier, as often I do, this shop, Carnar caught my eye. First of all, I thought it was an Argentinian restaurant, which it wasn't ... but it was the next best thing. A Take-Out Argentinian store, a Vente au Public! As JP is in love with a good steak, I decided to venture in to see what it was all about....especially since the weekend for our Geneva BBQ was approaching, and I knew how JP would really be happy to see us with this cadeau in our luggage. The vendeures were very kind and helpful, showing all the cuts of beef, best ones for the bar-be, and suggested wines for each cut of beef. Also they have many side dishes and some desserts you can also add to your order. It takes a few days, so plan ahead, but it is soooo worth it (if you are not a vegetarian), especially if you know someone who really enjoys some delicious Argentinian beef. Right JP? Our weekend in Geneva was a great success, with an open invitation ... I guess as long as we bring the goods from Carnar we will be visiting Geneva again soon!! Take a walk by and plan your weekend BBQ PPxx |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Partager La Vie á Paris - Manifestations
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| Manifestation 2009 Tomorrow will be a challenging day. Another manifestation against the changes that are trying to take place in the social system of France. So, this is how it will probably look from my window tomorrow. there will be many disruptions of trains, RER, bus and metro ...plus I think the teachers are participating, so the children will lose a day of school. I guess , being American, the changes seem quite minimal - 60 years of age to 62, when in the good ole US of A, it is more like 65 years old ... and we will be lucky if there are any monies left when we reach this ripe old age. So, what to do? Enjoy the music and hope that it doesn't last for too many days.... You have to give the french credit for not letting anyone go hungry along the way!  Words of advice... When you are traveling to France in September...take care. PPxx |
Friday, September 17, 2010
Partager More ... RIGA, LATVIA
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| Old Riga |
This picture represents a real quiet part of the day in Riga. It doesn't look like this all day and never at night ... the nights are quite different. People from everywhere are enjoying the last remaining clear nights of the summer season. Restaurants are everywhere, bike taxis to pedal you home after hours enjoying the music that could be found at the many beer gardens ... that ran into the next beer garden and into the next beer garden ... and I'm sure you get it..., interesting small shops selling their famous amber from the sea, craft markets selling their handmade linens, woolens, and carved leather books, and flower vendors on every corner brightening up your day. Plus, the largest fresh market in Europe, selling the biggest mushrooms I have ever seen. Walking thru this market was like taking a walk in the forest ..the smell of these mushrooms hit you, forcing you to find the nearest restaurant with mushroom soup on its outdoor menu. Fortunately, that was not a problem in this easy to get around town. Transportation by bus and tram was easy to figure out and jump on. Just look out for the controllers on the right bank!
Yes, Riga, is a very agreeable city, a very lively place to spend your weekend. I had been anxiously waiting for an invitation from Mr. T to visit the "Paris of the North" for quite some time. The last time he went, poor guy, was in February, meters of snow minimized his explorations, but even with this hardship he managed to take some great pictures and have some stories to share... Enough to catch my interest and hope that I, too, would be flying Baltic Air to this lovely city, decorated in art nouveau architecture, near the Baltic Sea.
There are some tips I will pass on to you, so you will have an even better time in Riga ...
If you are heading that way, let me know and I will be happy to partager them with you!
PPxx
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Partager Details of Paris - Pont Alexander III
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| Pont Alexander III - Paris |
The weather should be good this weekend, so profitez!
Take that nice long walk that you have wanted all week and notice some of the details of Paris..
OR just lay around and let people notice you!!
PPxx
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Partager The End of the Summer Fruits
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Miam .. Miam... The rains have returned to Paris today .. a bit triste ..., but there is still a bit of summer fruits to enjoy before the season is over. So Waste no time gathering up those last tastes of Summer ... those luscious peaches, plump blackberries, sensuous mangos, and sweet mirabelles at your favorite marché. This is a lunch that my friend, J, served me the other day. I felt like I had just devoured an injection of health, magic, and even some extra "smarts." I proceeded to my new french professor's house, and wowed her with my progress, well nearly..... I did feel a certain amount of confidence after eating this delicious repas of summer fruits. This confidence cannot come soon enough, as we are interviewing for our 10-year residency card in a few short weeks. I realize that my french should (and I am most of the time understood correctly) be somewhat acceptable by now... but losing this southern accent is difficult! So, back to school I go for another round! Anyone have their 10-year card that could give me some tips? Merci d'avance, PPxx |
Friday, September 3, 2010
Partager the Grand Braderies of Fall
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| Brocante 14th arrondisement Rue de Maine La Rentree is the signal for everyone to clean out their closets, and put it on the streets along side the professional sellers during the city's grand braderies (discount sales), vide-greniers and brocantes. There are several large brocantes and vide-greniers (empty the attic) scheduled for this month. The largest is in LIlle, La Grande Braderie de LIlle, the 4 and 5 of September, located a bit north of Paris. This is one of the biggest puces in Europe, covering hundreds of kilometers. Everyone comes to have a good time and eat moules-frites (mussels and french fires). But, if you don't have the time to travel to Lille, or you don't like moules-frites, try next weekend's brocante, 11 and 12 Sept., at St. Sulpice in the 6e; and La Bourse the weekend of the 18 and 19, September in the 2e. You are bound to find that special something for yourself! I will be looking for you there! PPxx |
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Partager Paris Arrondisments - 18e
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| L'Escalier off rue Caulaincourt |
Another of my little hobbies that fills my days is chasing after brocantes and vide-greniers (empty the attic, since the garages are few and far between here). This is not a new thing for me, as I managed to make the rounds in my old home town of Jacksonville Beach.
Paris and around ... has a plethora of them. The difficulty is chosing which one to visit on your "empty" weekend day. The website http://www.info-brocantes.com/ helps me figure out this difficult task. Sometimes I even talk Mr. T in coming along...
One of the best parts of the puces tour, besides finding that really special something that absolutely no one else has ... is discovering a new part of Paris. Last weekend, I chose the 18e, getting off the bus at rue Caulaincourt and heading down the "rabbit holes" that are frequent in this quartier. Wandering around this area affectionately called the "Balcony of Paris", it is a half-dream, half-nightmare of an area; exploring the seedy joints and Christian sites sitting side by side.
Its time to get familiar with the area since the Vendange - the local annual wine-harvest parade and party will be the first of October. Take a look at what's to come!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetplaces/4834620366/
á prochain!
PPxx
Friday, August 27, 2010
Partager Paris Markets Marché Maubert
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| Marché Maubert 5e |
When I have trouble sleeping, and sometimes there are those nights that I am too excited about the next day to fall asleep...I use the simple technique of planning a menu from all the lovely fresh produce at the fresh markets of Paris. I have decided to visit each market and find their specialities. Want to come along?
This past week I visited the Marché Maubert in the 5th. An easy bus ride and I am there .... trying to decide which end to start. There are around 20 - 25 stalls; a bit hard to tell since these are still the summer sellers, the abonners (regular booth sellers) are still on vacation. This is France you know....so, at the market today was an abundance of bijoux sellers, from China, South America, southern France, Paris, (they even take credit cards!) ..... also, your usual seasonal fruits and vegetables, my favorite stall - la Miel, not only honey in its pure form, but also soaps, cakes, candy drop, which are one of my trusted purse items, clothes,including hats, panama and winter berets and caps, blankets (some of the best prices I have seen so far), delicious products from the Southwest of France, home to foie gras, cassoulet, easy to heat meals (cog au vin, cuisse de canard ... can't wait to try those) and all types of delicious chopped meats and patés, and did I mention wines from Bergerac?
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The market was over before I was ready, but there is always next week!
PPxx
Marche Maubert
Place Maubert
Metro Maubert Mutualité
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays usual from early until about 1:00
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Partager Chantilly
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| Snail on its way to Chantilly I've been hearing a lot about snails lately ... and this was after I found this little guy on the fence on his way to the Chateau of Chantilly. Apparently there is talk of the Fionacci numbers and how it relates to the basic DNA structure that we all share ... way too complicated for this read, but AS Byatt (one of my favorite authors) shares my interst in neurosciences, and she happen to speak of it, too... so where this is going I'm not sure... but I had taken a picture of a snail the preceding day, and I can only ask myself WHY? But, it had to have had something to do with the beauty of nature that we encountered on our way back from Senlis. We had rounded a corner and then IT was en face! What a nice way to end our day-tripping! The Chateau of Chantilly! If you are coming to Paris anytime soon, and have a day to spare, try to fit this in. Let me know if I can help you, I will be glad to Partager Chantilly with you! |
Friday, August 20, 2010
Partager Senlis
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| Cathédrale Notre-Dame Senlis |
Mr. T and I are spending our last few days of his vacances taking day trips here and there, looking for a possible place to live someday ... Our daytrips have been chosen with the help of my great new favorite book by Annabel Simms, One Hour From Paris. The book is just the thing to motivate you out to the outer edges of the RERs lines (regional trains of Paris), and then even further on to the footpaths that were used years ago. The book is organized into city/chapters which give you a nice historical summary, suggested visit and lots of useful FYIs at the end of each chapter ... such as best time to go, (based on fresh markets days, museum hours, etc), getting there (train, car, taxi, etc) museums/attractions, and restaurants .. enough information to lure you there and keep you occupied until the last train leaves! We chose the city of Senlis, which is located at the convergence of several major forests, boasts exceptional architectural and cultural heritage. Its 40 ha is a preserved area well-loved by film-directors. The day flew by exploring the riches of the city that Ms. Simms had described so well.
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| Maybe we could live here someday? |
Fall is just around the corner ... one of the best times to Partager Paris and More!
Plan your trip and we will explore together!
PPxx
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Partager Paris Plage
The Paris Photo Meetup met there last weekend, and had quite the time! Unfortunately we had a bit of a ruction with one particular young security officer who had a problem with us taking photos at one end of the plage, but security at the other end were quite friendly about us being there snapping away. Always a good time with the photo meetup. So, if you are in Paris and want some good shooting with some great photographers, look us up and join in.
Maybe I will get up the courage to join in with the dancers this weekend!
Come and Partager la Plage and let's dance !
PPxx
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Partager Paris Apartments and More
A nice place to Partager your time in Paris!
PPxx
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