I asked my colleagues at work if Halloween were celebrated in Paris. They said not so much, it's not as popular as it was a few years back. We did see a few kids getting into the spirit.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Paris - Halloween
Not So Popular
I asked my colleagues at work if Halloween were celebrated in Paris. They said not so much, it's not as popular as it was a few years back. We did see a few kids getting into the spirit.
I asked my colleagues at work if Halloween were celebrated in Paris. They said not so much, it's not as popular as it was a few years back. We did see a few kids getting into the spirit.
Paris - Salon du Chocolat
Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate
Sal, I think you would've felt as overwhelmed as we did inside this giant convention center, surrounded by some of the most famous European chocolate makers. This was an all chocolate affair.
Sal, I think you would've felt as overwhelmed as we did inside this giant convention center, surrounded by some of the most famous European chocolate makers. This was an all chocolate affair.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Paris - The New Office
Shiny and New
This is as modern and nice as it gets in Paris I bet. Bright and clean, big windows.
This is as modern and nice as it gets in Paris I bet. Bright and clean, big windows.
Paris - Levallois
The Seine
The Seine is right across the street from our new offices. It's a very beautiful section, with fancy riverboats parked beneath large trees that hug the shore. On the right side of this photo is a small island that sits in the river - a place where Sarkozy once had a house.
The Seine is right across the street from our new offices. It's a very beautiful section, with fancy riverboats parked beneath large trees that hug the shore. On the right side of this photo is a small island that sits in the river - a place where Sarkozy once had a house.
Paris - Moving to the New Office
Yes, We've Moved Offices Once Again...
Apparently in this schizophrenic company, it's normal to move your office once a year. I've been working here for 13 years and I've worked in 13 different offices. This morning, I had to get on a train and go a completely different direction - westwards to a neighborhood called Levallois, which is right next to the Seine. In this photo, it's in the upper left-hand corner. Luckily, I live on metro line 3, which has a stop right next to my apartment and which ends right at the new building. I take it 16 stops, which takes around 20 minutes. I am, by far, one of the lucky ones. Others have horrendous commutes now.
Apparently in this schizophrenic company, it's normal to move your office once a year. I've been working here for 13 years and I've worked in 13 different offices. This morning, I had to get on a train and go a completely different direction - westwards to a neighborhood called Levallois, which is right next to the Seine. In this photo, it's in the upper left-hand corner. Luckily, I live on metro line 3, which has a stop right next to my apartment and which ends right at the new building. I take it 16 stops, which takes around 20 minutes. I am, by far, one of the lucky ones. Others have horrendous commutes now.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Paris - Grandpa
From the "Granmpa & Grandpa" Spot
Many days we find ourselves having breakfast at a bistro near the apartment that we refer to as the "Grandma & Grandpa Spot." I don't know what the real name is, we refer to the elderly couple that run the place. They're the sweetest people in Paris. Grandpa has memorized our order and all I have to say is "la meme chose" (the usual.) We get a tartine with butter, a croissant, a glass of freshly squeezed oj and two coffees.
Many days we find ourselves having breakfast at a bistro near the apartment that we refer to as the "Grandma & Grandpa Spot." I don't know what the real name is, we refer to the elderly couple that run the place. They're the sweetest people in Paris. Grandpa has memorized our order and all I have to say is "la meme chose" (the usual.) We get a tartine with butter, a croissant, a glass of freshly squeezed oj and two coffees.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monte Carlo - Hob Nobbing in Schwanksville
Just Thirty Minutes Away but a World of Difference
In what may go down as the best deal in France, you can take a bus for just one Euro from Nice to Monaco. The bus teeters along steep cliffs, through tiny ports and by famous places like Cap Ferrat for thirty minutes. We got off in Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco just steps from the famous Casino de Paris. This is the casino featured in two James Bond films as well as Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief starring the soon-to-be Princess Grace.
In what may go down as the best deal in France, you can take a bus for just one Euro from Nice to Monaco. The bus teeters along steep cliffs, through tiny ports and by famous places like Cap Ferrat for thirty minutes. We got off in Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco just steps from the famous Casino de Paris. This is the casino featured in two James Bond films as well as Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief starring the soon-to-be Princess Grace.
Nice - Architecture, Part 3
Taking in the Old Town
In the old town, you see the true Italian history come to the fore. Nice only joined France in 1860 and Nice's famous son, Giuseppe Garibaldi wasn't too happy about it, exhorting the townspeople to riot for many years after. In the old town the signs are in both Italian and French.
In the old town, you see the true Italian history come to the fore. Nice only joined France in 1860 and Nice's famous son, Giuseppe Garibaldi wasn't too happy about it, exhorting the townspeople to riot for many years after. In the old town the signs are in both Italian and French.
Nice - Walk Like a Frenchie
It Ain't As Easy as it Looks...
If you really want to look like a Frenchie, you have to dress the part: nice shoes, collared shirt, sportscoat, etc. However, the piece de resistance is when you walk with your hands behind your back, once clasping the other. Try it - it's not so easy. It doesn't get Frenchier than this, I promise you.
If you really want to look like a Frenchie, you have to dress the part: nice shoes, collared shirt, sportscoat, etc. However, the piece de resistance is when you walk with your hands behind your back, once clasping the other. Try it - it's not so easy. It doesn't get Frenchier than this, I promise you.
Nice - Swanky Port and Crazy People
Where the Big Boats Are
If you walk East along the beach far enough, you'll make your way around a tall rocky outcropping and find a tucked away port where all the yachts are parked. We actually got here from an inland route which circumvents the hills and brings you to the back-end of the port. We stared at the yachts for a bit then found ourselves a nice Italian lunch.
If you walk East along the beach far enough, you'll make your way around a tall rocky outcropping and find a tucked away port where all the yachts are parked. We actually got here from an inland route which circumvents the hills and brings you to the back-end of the port. We stared at the yachts for a bit then found ourselves a nice Italian lunch.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Nice - Architecture, Part Two
More Narrow Alleys and Ornate Facades
Some of the narrow alleyways remind me of Venice.
Some of the narrow alleyways remind me of Venice.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Nice - Architecture, Part One
If I Didn't Know Better, I'd Think I Were in Italy
Combine the azure skies with the architecture and you got Italy. There are piazzas and roman columns....
Combine the azure skies with the architecture and you got Italy. There are piazzas and roman columns....
Nice - Cours Saleya
"The" Market in Nice
The Cours Saleya is a large open air market inland from the oceanfront a couple hundred feet. Vendors set up early every morning and sell flowers, vegetables, fruits, meat, spices and even soap - in this case blue locust soap.
The Cours Saleya is a large open air market inland from the oceanfront a couple hundred feet. Vendors set up early every morning and sell flowers, vegetables, fruits, meat, spices and even soap - in this case blue locust soap.
Nice - Promenade des Anglais
A Walk Along the Beach
Nice seems like a late-waking place but there were still plenty out walking along the beach. This old man was painting a watercolor with one hand.
Nice seems like a late-waking place but there were still plenty out walking along the beach. This old man was painting a watercolor with one hand.
Nice - the Hotel
An Oldie, Renovated
We are staying right along the beachfront on a stretch called the Promenade des Anglais in an old palatial hotel that has been recently redone. The giant marble columns remain, but not much else.
We are staying right along the beachfront on a stretch called the Promenade des Anglais in an old palatial hotel that has been recently redone. The giant marble columns remain, but not much else.
Nice - Getting Lucky
Dodging the Strikes
I've read all kinds of stories about the strikes but I've yet to see anything with my own eyes. We sat on the tarmac in Paris for an hour but I'm not sure why. Could this be the reason? In the Nice morning papers the next day the headline read "Surprise Strike Paralyzed the Airport." We didn't notice anything when we arrived. After a pleasant one hour flight we arrived to an empty airport.
I've read all kinds of stories about the strikes but I've yet to see anything with my own eyes. We sat on the tarmac in Paris for an hour but I'm not sure why. Could this be the reason? In the Nice morning papers the next day the headline read "Surprise Strike Paralyzed the Airport." We didn't notice anything when we arrived. After a pleasant one hour flight we arrived to an empty airport.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Brooklyn - The New Camera
Starting to Figure it Out, Slowly...
Dodo got me a new camera, one that allows you to manually control all the various settings like aperture, film sensitivity, shutter speed, etc. I've been reading up on it and trying out different settings. One thing's for sure, it takes much better shots than my old camera, especially under tough conditions This shot was taken in a cafe that was very dark but the shot still came out nice. In addition, note the depth of field: notice how the fork is out of focus and the leading edge of the dessert is sharp.
Dodo got me a new camera, one that allows you to manually control all the various settings like aperture, film sensitivity, shutter speed, etc. I've been reading up on it and trying out different settings. One thing's for sure, it takes much better shots than my old camera, especially under tough conditions This shot was taken in a cafe that was very dark but the shot still came out nice. In addition, note the depth of field: notice how the fork is out of focus and the leading edge of the dessert is sharp.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Manhattan - Random Shots
Exploring - Camera in Hand
When I first moved to NYC, I walked around a lot, exploring. I did the same thing a few days ago and snapped some photos. This is 23rd St and 8th Ave, looking northeast.
When I first moved to NYC, I walked around a lot, exploring. I did the same thing a few days ago and snapped some photos. This is 23rd St and 8th Ave, looking northeast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)