What's new in Paris
There are always new things happening in Paris. On the first evening of my visit, I noticed that the Eiffel Tower turned blue. There were stars flickering on the side, which made it look like a diamond-studded tower of blue. My friends explained to me that last June 30, France took on the presidency of the European Union. Every six months, the presidency of the European Union changes and from June to December of this year, it belongs to France. To commemorate this, the Eiffel Tower was decorated with the stars composing the European Union flag and was lit blue. The site is breathtaking.
During one of my walks down the Ecole Militaire area, I noticed a row of gray, high tech-looking bicycles. I was with my nieces and they told me that on July 15 of last year, a bicycle transit system called Velib was launched. Velib is short for velo (which is French for bike) and libre or liberte (freedom). The idea is for Parisiennes and tourists alike to use the bicycle as a means of going around the city. The goal is to ease up the traffic, make the people healthy through exercise, and turn the environment into something more eco-friendly by using fewer cars. The local authority in Paris has deposited 20,000 heavy-duty bicycles in 750 or so special racks around the city. The bike does not have to be returned to the same pick-up point. For example, you can take a bike from a rack near the Eiffel Tower, cycle to the Louvre. and leave it at the nearest Velib stand there. Payment is simple. One can buy a card for the day, for a week, for a month, and swipe it like a credit card. The Velib scheme is aimed at people who are making short journeys as cycling would be too tiring for long trips and it is not for the fainthearted. The first half hour is free, but if you fail to return the bike after 30 minutes, you get charged an extra euro and the penalties go up the later you return. It crossed my mind that if this scheme was adopted in Metro Manila, it would certainly make the air less polluted. But as I said, cycling is not for the fainthearted. Are there enough healthy people to go around town in bikes? Hmmm, I wonder.
Upon arriving from my Lourdes pilgrimage, I disembarked at the Gare Montparnasse train station. Who did I bump into but a friend of long standing, Jose Banaag who used to be the features editor of UNESCO’s monthly magazine. I was so delighted to see him looking as slim and chic as ever. To be honest, I first noticed his red Goyard luggage and his matching laptop bag, which then led my eye to my friend pulling his trolley. He had just arrived from Angouleme, where he attended a film festival. Being the fashion plate that he is, I asked him about his Goyard pieces. I only discovered this brand less than a year ago when I saw a friend using it at a dinner party. It did not surprise me at all that fashionista J. Banaag has been using the brand for some years now. I made him swear to bring me to their store as he knew most of the sales people there.
Goyard is a luggage brand that was founded in 1853 by Edward Goyard with the goal of manufacturing only the best pieces of luggage in the world. They are known as the best malletiers in France. They are not mass-produced as only the wealthy can afford them. They have very few outlets around the world, and in Paris, they are found in 233 Rue St. Honore. Their clients from yesteryear included Gregory Peck, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Arthur Conan Doyle and today, Karl Lagerfeld and Madonna are among their ardent fans. I was very impressed with their classy handbags, suitcases, travel organizers, hand-carry trolleys, wallets etc. I left the store empty-handed as I could not afford the bags of my choice. If cycling is not for the fainthearted, Goyard is not for the “faintbudget.” I was a bit embarrassed not to have bought anything as I was well received and shown around the store, but my friend Jose B. saved the day for me because he picked up another purchase, a red travel organizer to match his red trolley and laptop bag.
During my stay, I decided I would take photos of chic people I saw in the restaurants, in sidewalk cafes or strolling in the streets. I was not shy to approach them and ask if I could take their photos and what brand of clothes they were wearing. I noticed that the young were thrilled to pose for me, but the more mature ones were hesitant. So I decided to stick to shooting the jeune filles. At a restaurant, I spotted a blonde fashionista who was working for Italian Vogue. She was using a red tartan print which she claims will be very in for autumn/winter wear. She obliged me with a nice pose. The weather was very fickle. There were warm sunny days, and cool windy days, hence the variety of clothes. It was really so exciting acting like a paparazzi and shooting fashionable people. It made my stay in Paris so much fun. I realize now what I lack: a good digital camera with zoom lens. It will allow me to take better-quality photos!
Au revoir, Paris! Till my next visit!
