Saturday, February 16, 2019

Paris, Day Two


Sidewalk Flower Shop
Meat Shop
Lots of graffiti, even in the nice parts of town
Bus stop in Pigallia
Housing; buildings are eight stories tall or less. This creates a uniform feeling throughout the city. It's quite a shock to see this in a big city after living in vertical Asia for all these years.
Sacre Coure in Montmartre
Sacre Coure in Montmartre
Bistro in Montmartre
French woman
At the intersection of Champs Elysees and Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue; the French honor this American president and also Winston Churchill for their efforts in WWII.
Pedestrians on Champs-Elysees
Lunch on Champs-Elysees: macaroons and lettuce salad
Outdoor restaurant near Arc de Triomphe, across the street from Burger King
Woman at the Brochant metro station near my hotel
The two soups on the menu were vegetable and French onion. I told the guy, "I'm thinking that since I'm in France, I need to try the French onion soup." He said "I think you should too. It's excellent." He was right. It was fabulous!
Stopped for a latte at Starbucks somewhere along the Champs-Elysees at a little inside shopping center.
Coffee early in the day at a Starbucks on Wagram near Arc De Triumph. I tried French coffee at one restaurant near the Eiffel Tower. It was awful and stale. At least at Starbucks you get fresh coffee. 
Near my hotel

Friday, February 15, 2019

An American in Paris, Day One, Part One



I flew from Shanghai to Paris on Air France, a 12:40 flight. We landed early at Charles DeGaulle airport. I had three seats to myself on the left side of the plane near the window, so I was able to stretch out and sleep on the way.

It was pitch black up until 8 a.m. Not a sliver of light was in the sky, even though it appeared rush hour traffic was in full swing.

For a small fee, I was able to get into my hotel room before regular check-in time at 2:00 p.m. I needed the rest. I had no ambitions for sightseeing today after such a long trip, but I surprised myself and decided not to let the day go to waste.

The city looks and feels just as you would expect it to, based on what you see in movies and TV. Flower shops, bicyclists, dog-walking residents, bread everywhere, people pretending they don't speak English to frustrate you -- it was all here.

I felt a little bad that I'm here instead of someone who actually knows a few words of French. I realized soon after arriving that the only French words I know are the ones I learned from Miss Piggy.

Moi?

Or I want to thank someone, and knowing a foreign language needs to come out of my mouth, I thank them in Chinese. I'm only here three days. Hopefully I can survive.

Here are a few sights from the beautiful day in Paris, approximately 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hotel Street

 Neighborhood streets
 Pretty doors
 Flower shop
 Pretty flowers
 French market (had an adjoining grocery store)
These guys are standing in front of an amazing variety of olives.
 A woman passes by a wall mural.
 Souvenirs near the subway station a block from the Eiffel Tower.
 The Eiffel Tower
 It's surprisingly undeveloped near the tower, with dirt pathways.
February is the time to come ... no long lines at the tower if you want to go up (I have no desire to go up in that thing). 
A view of the Eiffel Tower unobstructed by tree branches
Petit Palais, across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Look at that blue sky!
A typical Paris balcony


Friday, August 31, 2018

Around town in Bamboo Forest

A view to the northeast from a coffee shop on the 58th floor of a tall building.

Coffee shop on the 58th floor 

 Elevator 

 Local Starbucks

Hanging out at a Starbucks 

American food 

A view from east to west on a hazy day

Tea at a local garden

Monday, July 23, 2018

Vertical Hong Kong




Thursday, July 05, 2018

Food for thought

Once I met a Chinese man who told me he had fought in the Korean War. He'd lost a few fingers during the war. But he told me not to worry, he didn't hold a grudge against me, an American. He said the Chinese soldiers were envious of the American soldiers at the time, because the Americans had food to eat, and the Chinese soldiers were starving. I'd never thought about how the availability of food could affect the outcome of a war. What was one of the key foods carried and eaten by those American soldiers he envied? Spam. It also was a staple for soldiers in WWII. Some people like to poke fun at and/or criticize the canned meat, but it played an important role in our history and may have more to do with your freedom than you realize. You don't have to eat it or like it, just give it a little respect. Spam entered the market 81 years ago today. 

Sunday, June 24, 2018

The dog I love





Thursday, February 01, 2018

Chinese New Year Preparations for 2018

Preparations for Chinese New Year 2018, the year of the dog, start several weeks before the holiday. People buy red decorations for their doors and homes, and stock up on food. Here's a market a block or so from where I live that sells inexpensive trinkets and treats. The sale of fireworks inside the city limits was banned a few years ago, otherwise you'd see lots of those for sale too.