Archive for January, 2008
Birth Control for Paris Pigeons
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2008
In Parisian ‘argot’ or slang, a ‘pigeon’ is a gullible mark. Paris pigeons have been the topic of heated coop, that is co-op, debates for ages - if you can imagine grown Parisians sitting around arguing about pigeon poop - well, yes, it’s true. But, since 2003, the wise mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, has brought science to the forefront of the pigeon problem.
Why not sterilize pigeon eggs? According to today’s Le Figaro story, a pigeon family is entitled to one shot at laying eggs - but the next batch gets neutralized. And how do you go about sterilizing pigeon eggs - by building pigeon houses. The first pigeon house I’m proud to say was planted in the 14h arrondissement - and just recently the seventh Paris pigeon house has been inaugurated in Paris’s 20th arrondissement.
For a mere 20,000 Euros, you too can have pigeon house in your neighborhood (with a 5000 Euro maintenance contract billed to your neighborhood). ( If Rachida Dati becomes mayor of the 7th arrondissement, will she honor the 5000 Euro maintenance contract? These are the questions reporters never ask.)
Our apartment coop had suggested much less humane alternatives.
Likewise, a guest from Frankfurt said, “We don’t have a problem with pigeons in our parks. About six am every morning, they go out and shoot them.”
Well, I guess every city finds its own solutions.
Wonder what they do about pigeons in Venice?
Pigeon trivia: Did you know that Hemingway and his buddies used to eat pigeon when they hard up for a meal?
I’m not sure if that practice isn’t still continued in the Montmartre district. We were sitting at one of the outdoor restaurants when one of the ‘artists’ had a pigeon shooter pointed directly above my head . . . I’m not sure which ‘pigeon’ was his mark.
Date: January 21st, 2008 |
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The Bohemian Life in Paris: When Opera reflects reality
Long before reality TV, there was opera, that is, there was La Bohème. Shown for the first time in Turin, Italy in 1896, Puccini’s successful opera’s plot (or libretto) was based on Henri Murger’s semi-autobiographical account of living as a down-and-out in Paris’s Latin Quarter (the opera is supposed to start on Christmas Eve of 1830 when Murger would have only been 8 years old!).
His collection of stories, “Scenes from the Life of a Bohemian” was published in the 1840s, about the same time that he was living on coffee and water. In those days, his band of friends didn’t drink much but coffee and water - much to the dismay of the Parisian waiters who had to serve them in their Latin quarter cafe.
Date: January 20th, 2008 |
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$503 Roundtrip - Boston to Paris, Snag it Today!
Icelandair still does its inexpensive flights to Paris - of course with a stop in Iceland’s capital - but why not a layover in this winter wonderland?
This was the best round-trip I found without the benefit of any ‘cheapest airfare searchers’. When I do find good rates, I’ll post immediately for Parislogue readers.
This flight leaves February 3rd (return February 20, 08) so book it fast!
Date: January 19th, 2008 |
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City Bonus Paris Restaurants offer a Free Cocktail!
With the the awful exchange rate between dollars and Euros, you may need a drink! How nice that some Paris restaurants are offering a complimentary cocktail if you present your ‘City Bonus check’. Note the expiration date varies for the restaurants listed.
Date: January 17th, 2008 |
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I promise to remain faithful - to my Paris Hotel
“But I prefer polygamy and polyandry.” IHT, Jan 14′2008 Hmmm. That’s an eye-catching quote, especially when attributed to Carla Bruni, who might soon be France’s new First Lady (if she isnt’ already).
Fidelity is a fuzzy topic in France except when it comes to hotels. Why do people insist on returning to the same hotel over and over again? Is it just because we’re creatures of habit - or sentimental fools? The truth is remaining faithful to your Paris hotel makes good sense. It just keeps getting better. And you become an ‘insider’. A hotel receptionist who recognizes you as a regular will start to fill you in on the best days to get the best rates.
Date: January 16th, 2008 |
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Franco-American Military Ties Strengthened
This month (January 11, 2008), the American Embassy in Paris reports that Rear Admiral Charles J. “Joe” Leidig Jr, Deputy Commander Sixth Fleet and Commander, Submarine Group Eight joined Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton and Consul General Philip Breeden for the French navy’s invitation to board the French nuclear powered attack Submarine AMETHYSTE (See photos)
According to Naval Technology.com, the Amethyste series is soon to be replaced by the Barracuda class (2012).
Date: January 20th, 2008 |
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Paris Mayor Offers 100,000 'pocket' ashtrays
Will 100,000 free ‘pocket ashtrays’ solve the problem of 300,000 cigarette butts per day in a typical Parisian neighborhood? This, according to Le Parisien’s article “After the war on tobacco, the chase after cigarette butts”, is the ‘fall-out’ from France’s new smoking ban in cafes, bars, restaurants and public buildings.
Trivia: The word for ‘cigarette butt’ in French is ‘mégot’
It can take from 2 to 3 years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate.
Here’s what Australia’s environmental minister Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr has to say about cigarette butts: Statement
Date: January 19th, 2008 |
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Election Fever in March: Let the Race Begin
This year March (2008) is bound to roar in like a lion, at least on the political front because Paris is up for grabs. Throughout France towns and villages will be electing their mayors, and who would not want to be mayor of Paris - or at least one of its twenty arrondissements?
Bertrand Delanöe is the current mayor of the City of Paris yet each arrondissement has its own arrondissent mayor. In effect, Paris is a congregation of villages.
Date: January 18th, 2008 |
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February in Paris
Fabrice Luchini - Rue de la Gaite
Photo by Chris Card Fuller 2007
Come in out of the cold! February may be cold and drizzly in Paris, but what better place to cuddle, curled up in the crisp sheets of a Paris hotel, bed and breakfast, or apartment?
Outside, the skies may be gray and gloomy, but during the winter months, the Paris party just moves indoors. February might be voted the darkest and dreariest of months, but it can also be the most romantic of times. You’ll …
Date: January 17th, 2008 |
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Euro Sense: When and Where to Buy Euros?
How low can the dollar go? I wish I could bling my magic wand and tell you that by summertime the dollar will soar like an eagle, but sadly, I have no such promises for you. Remember this is reality - here and now in January, 2008 - not reality TV.
I am much less optimistic than the Oxford Club report was, way back when, at the beginning of 2005, for example.
So, here’s my advice to any Parislogue readers contemplating an upcoming trip to Paris: Buy as much of your trip as possible in dollars i.e. dare I say this? Consider package tours.
Date: January 15th, 2008 |
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