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Niqabs, burqas and radical sanity
Yesterday, two burqa clad women were arrested in Paris, in front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Why? NOT for flouting the newly passed French law that specifically forbids the wearing of full-body, face-covering clothing. What, are you jumping to conclusions? No, they were stopped short for holding a political demonstration without a permit. Without […]
A fragile spring
Today the fountains sprang into life in Paris. Who, in what office, decides such things? Is it keyed to ambient temperature, the way a horse will suddenly shed sheer pounds of its winter haircoat on the first warm day? Today was suddenly jacket-tossing warm. One swallow may not make a spring, but surely a fountain […]
Love’s labors won, live from 1740
Paris is a small city with over 200 theaters. Even so, for many shows you must reserve months in advance. The ‘salles’ range from the two Operas, Chaillot, Theatre de Ville, Monfort and other classy venues to the hundred plus tiny boxes you wouldn’t see unless you were looking with flashlight and address in hand. […]
The Joy of Giving
Is it more blessed to give than receive? Don’t we all ponder the two sides of this coin, now and then. Especially where the State is concerned. In 2002 the socialist-party led French parliament voted definitely Amen, when it declared the Monday of Pentecost no longer a plain old holiday, but a ‘Day of Solidarity’. […]
The Generous Host
Yesterday our gallant Mayor Bertrand Delanoe threw a bash at the Hotel de Ville for his more political-animal American residents. The lucky multitude lined up hours early in the wind off the Seine, personal invitations in hand, not sure what to expect regarding the Inauguration but keen to experience this downtown palace that subs […]
More Talk about Paris Weather
Everything is relative, including the weather. Warnings on the radio, briefly closed autoroutes and this morning’s rare sleet shower prove that France is in the grip of a severe cold snap, the thermometer sinking to levels that in New England would be greeted as a welcome winter thaw. The Immigrant ventured out muffled in a […]
Joyeuses Fetes a tous et toutes!
Seven Blessings of This Year’s Waning Days The milder weather, a glint of sun Free concerts all over Paris–tonight, for example, organ and choir at Notre Dame As of yesterday, School’s Out! Waaaouu! Neighborhood people checking in on neighbors they haven’t seen all year A new official policy to pick up used Christmas trees, so […]
POINT de VUE: PARIS 
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