Day 43: December 25, 2015, A Couple of Snags

Not to worry by the title  I am still heading to Kysyl.  But I have managed to hit a few bumps.

Please remember that this is mostly an unplanned journey.  I started with a one way plane ticket and a Paris apartment reservation.  From there I planned to decide about and pick up contiguous legs of the journey as I traveled.  That was one of the reasons for traveling in the off season, as it is easier to get train and plane setas and places to stay without the hordes of summer.

Over the past few days some of that style has served me well.  On a last minute whim I decided to spend a week in Istanbul before heading off to Israel.  The hotel in Istanbul looks first class and is ridiculously cheap.  The plane tickets were $99 per leg.  HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!  GOOOOOOOAL!

But  I stlll need travel visas. for Russia, China and Turkey.  Looks like Turky is very easy.  I can get that one in Paris or on entry to Turkey.  China look easy also, taking four days.  I'll visit those two consulates on Monday and start the process.  Russia, however...

Today I went to the Russian consulate (in the same building as the embassy, on the outer edge of Paris).  Everything was locked up.  I rang the buzzer, but the voice only spoke Russian, so no help there.  I managed to decipher a cyrillic paper on the door that said the consulate was open 9 a.m to noon, but it was closed today (12/24).  So much for the veracity of the Russian embassy web site.

Searching the web I find many horror stories about getting a Russian visa in Paris.  I need passport photos, a bank check, an invitation from a travel agency or hotel and a maticulously filled out application.  And maybe a fedex envelope.  And it takes up to three weeks to get the visa while they hold your permit.  Ouch!  I'll be calling some visa processing agencies ($$) for help on Monday.

I have a back up plan.  If I can't get a visa here, I'll try Istanbul or other capitals that I visit.  If that doesn't work I'll extend my visit in Lisbon as needed to get a visa.  I plan to enter Russia around April 1, so I would need to be in Lisbon by March 9.

I know.  I should have applied for the visa earlier.  Like from home six months ago, or when I first arrived in Paris.  I know.  But remember, the journey should be INTERESTING.  Even if its self inflicted!

I hit a minor local bump last night.  Showed up for the 10 p.m. cruise along the Siene River.  Turns out they need a minimum of 10 passengers to make the trip (the boat holds over 200).  We ended up having a total of seven.  So, the tourist numbers REALLY are down.

Sadly a group of Rusian women were leaving for home the next morning.  I chatted with them about my trip, first in German, then English.  They didn't know where Kyzyl was until I told them it was the capital of Tuva.  I don't think they fully understood why I was ging to Kyzyl.

Thta's probably because I probably don't fully understand why myself.

Day 41: December 23, 2015, Odds and Ends Before Christmas

Elaborate holiday window display.  Each large store has about five windows with animated displays.  The kids love them.

Candy shop employees dressed up.

And their yummy wares.

Nice view on a nicely decorated street.

Another bunch of "locks of love."

A government building with patriotic lighting.

Another decorated street.

Apple erected this four story ad, topped by a replica picture of what is being coveted up.  The entire display is actually s scaffolding cover. Clever.

I have no idea who this character is, but he seemed cute.

A professionally made sand castle, made as a demonstration for kids at the Pompidou Museum.

Day 39, DECEMBER 21, 2015, A Somber Sight

My friends Brad and Sharon left for home last Tuesday.  We missed doing two things, one of which was visiting one site of the November 13th terrorist attacks, the Bataclan Theater.  It was a well know music venue before the attack.  The police had two buses parked out front during their invetigation, but they are now gone.

The attacks have struck France hard.  This is a society that cherishes its liberties and acceptance of outsiders.  France has strong ties to its former colonies, many of which are Muslim majority (including Algeria and Syria).  France has a significant Muslim population that is growing faster than the majority Christian population.  The French national government has imposed new restrictions aimed at countering terrorism, and there is talk of amending the Consitution to incorporate civil rights limits.  There are more police and army troops on the streets than before, tourist sites have new entry searches and barriers have been put to restrict vehicle movement (aka car bombs) around tourist sites.  It feels a lot like post-9/11 in the states.

I do not believe France has been broken by these latest attacks.  A bit bruised maybe, certainly shocked and saddened, but not broken.  France has survived much worse before; she will come through these troubles just fine.  Changed s little, but just fine.  This the France of history.  This is the France I know.

Day 37: December 19, 2015, Signs of the Times

Every few years a famous French person will complain about how English words are invading the French lexicon.  The signs shown below are some good examples of Anglo-creep.

This a small shop located between 2 KFCs.   Note the "Halal" in the upper right corner.  The owner told me it's there to prevent ISIS attacks.

 I am a little confused.  Low or High Price?

 Fun for who?  The customer or the cook?  Certainly not the fish!

I think this business paid a lot of money for soemone to come up with this symbol for their company'  Can you guess what there business is, or who they are?

(it's a bank)

The squeeze on the "E"s is real (no an opticalical illusion).  I  did not check out their merchandise, but I saw epensive clothing).  And I haven't seen a single pleat since coming to Paris.

Aptly named.

Nothing encourages learning like money.  Maybe this why so many people hate the Big Banks: they don't speak colloquial American English on Wall Street!  This  firm has many branches, so it could be successful.  This sign was often shown on the tv news shows when reporters were on location in Paris after November 12th.

There's a bonus sign at the bottom. 

I did not eat here because I am a commoner.  Or not that hungry.  Or not in the mod for King meat, bread or whatever they are selling.

Day 35a: December 17 2015, A Night Out

Christmas display in a fancy shop.

Night traffic on the Champs Elysses.

 Tiffanys store decorated as a package.

Stairs going up the Arch de Triumph.

Views from the top.

Day 35, December 17, 2015: But Is It Art?

Today wew visited the Pompedeu Museum of Modern Art.  It waas built in the 1970s  and is noted for having its utilities eposed in colored pipes on the exteriior of the building.  The views from the top floor are great, but it was too hazy for good photos.

Good art is always controversial (just ask Van Gogh).  As a contemporary viewer \I just have to ask the obvious question:

"Is it art?"

I'll let you decide for yourself.

Line of balls, the largest is a driveable orange.  Some balls were lit up from inside.

 Another view.

                                    

Another series.  Seems like modern art has to be huge!  The entire three part series took up a 1600 square foot room.  That is the size of a decent sized house!

Three views of the same piece.

Paintings by some famous modern artists.  Can you name them?

So, is it art?

Day 33, December 15, 2015

Interior shot of Notre Dame.

Point Zero, the official geogrphic center of France.

Sharon gave a local musical group a donation.  They were very good.

 Outdoor shots of Sacre Coeur.

 New bear statue outside Gare du Nord.

Day 32, December 14, 2015

A few of the statues from the Rodin Museum, including "The Thinker".

"The Lovers"