Christmas Lights and Scenes in Paris

Yesterday I headed out to see the Christmas lights and decorations before they are put away for another year.   Little did I know that thousands of others, be it tourists or locals had the very same idea!

First stop was to the Tour Eiffel seen from the bridge, which I find is the most romantic place for a kiss.  Then on to Trocadero to see their ice skating rink with the Tour Eiffel in the background.

Next stop was the Champs Élysée were I had to literally dodgeball people left and right.  A very stark and in my face reminder that Paris is truly the most visited city in the world.

Italian, Chinese, Russian, English, Spanish, and you name it; all sorts of languages flew by me as in a loud cacophony of Babel’s tower.   The cafes were overflowing and all looked gay and lively inside, as the deepening dusk darkened the sky, bringing out the colourful lights of the city.

My only deception was seeing that they haven’t changed those hula hoops decorations that would occasionally change to a dark blue and red.  How in the world the city decorators came up with that idea is beyond me!

Only few of the shops were looking spectacular festive, with the exception of the pastry shop/cafe Ladurée, whose Belle Epoque interior is a splendid place to revel in their delicious pastries.

Nevertheless, whether I was looking towards the Arc de Triomphe, or down towards where the huge carousel towers overs Place de la Concorde, the views remained spectacular.

My next stop on boulevard Haussmann proved to be even more crowded, in front of the Printemps and Galleries Lafayette department stores, which are located practically next to each other.

The little kid inside of me always likes to see the window decorations and animations, which are  amusing and adorable for all ages.

Prada bears flying around with their goggles were definitely enchanting!  I loved the  little mouses too, dressed in their colourful tutus flitting around here and there, preparing for a fine feast for sure.

Thank goodness they provide ramps for the little ones, because they would never make it through the solid walls of big folks trying to ogle with the same delight as the kiddies.  Just for a moment, grown ups can be reminded of the innocent joys we all had at Christmas.

The near by Garnier Opera house always makes for an interesting stop at their boutique for wannabe ballerinas young and old like myself.  A side door gives one a peek of the impressive entrance with its imposing gothic arches and statue studded hall that leads to a splendorous interior.

Waiting for the bus to return home, I had enough time to duck into a cute cookie and candy boutique called La Cure Gourmande.  The cookie offered, though decent, would not have compelled me to buy theirs, as I always make my own, but the old fashioned tin boxes for sale were tempting for sure!

Friday,  I went to a magnificent photographic exhibition of an Hungarian photographer Gyula Halász, better known as  Brassai.   He captured the sensual beauty of Paris and the personalities of the roaring twenties.   The exhibit was held at the magnificent Paris town hall ,called Hotel de Ville, which lies alongside the Seine.

My attempts to take some photos of his masterpieces proved rather dismal due to the inherent reflections bouncing back.  Friends with Picasso, Dali and writer Henry Miller, he too lived in the artsy enclave of the 14th arrondissement, now too, my own arrondissement.

The rather chubby small hand is none other than  Picasso, which came out with a slight reflection of my own.  In so far as looks, Dali certainly was one of the most handsome of artists.

By the time I got out, evening had fallen, and I spent some enjoyable moments watching the skaters whizz by on the ice skating rink set in front of Hotel de Ville .   My favourite photo captured the  reflecting  lamplights on the ice with the spires of Notre Dame in the background.

By the time I reached Notre Dame, the enchanting baroque sounds of her huge bells calling the faithful to vespers and Mass, filled the darkening sky, and I momentary felt drawn to another time of past.  Almost a thousand years have passed and yet this massive golden testimony of faith still amazes with her stupendous glory.

I think of all the souls who must have been filled with the same wonder as I, gazing upon her majestic beauty that has withstood the ages of time.  I am no different than them, just witnessing  in another time and space.

I still have to shake myself at these times to realise that I really do live here!  Knowing that I can come another day to be in her presence, makes me very humbly aware of the many blessings I have in being here, that I will never take for granted.

I would have loved to have had you, my dear readers, walking alongside of me.  I absolutely adore sharing all of this beautiful city with those who have an eye for her special and unique beauty.

As I go to post , I realise that my own photos certainly couldn’t capture all the  surrounding beauty that the eye and lens of Brassai did, but what we do share in common comes from the heart, and that is  the deep love and appreciation of our adopted city of lights.