A Special Photo. I don't Get it.

Sometimes when I see a person with a professional looking camera, big lens, name brand, etc taking a photo. I will confess that I like to casually stand in the exact position they were in to try and capture the same photo.

Today, a man with a big fancy Cannon camera, big lens, with the thick strap around his neck stood in front of the Franprix grocery store, crouched down with his face against his camera and his fingers adjusting something on the lens...I waited outside patiently before going into the store as another French man waited behind me, cursing under his breath.

After a few minutes, the strange photographer, hunched over captured his shot. I entered the grocery store with the French man still cursing behind me at the photographer.

After purchasing my bag of Lays Potato Chips (Barbecue), I stood where the strange man stood and tried to capture what he was so intrigued with below.

There was no one standing by the produce when the stranger took his photo.

Still, I don't see why taking this photo could have taken so long.

If you see anything special about this shot, please clue me in? I don't get it? Maybe he was just fascinated by the produce?

Taste, smell, sights and sounds of Paris.

Walking down the sidewalk, going to meet a friend, the smell of fresh baked breads and pastries rushes up my nose and into my brain. I hear the fresh pastries calling my name: "Bonjour Florence! Look at Us!"

It seems so unfair that the bakery kitchen vents the wonderful warm scents onto the sidewalks in the early morning.
It feels like abuse to my "low carb" diet. I can't resist as the scent pulls me inside the bakery to "browse".
It seem so unfair that you can't reply" "No thanks, I'm just looking." when the pastry chef behind the counter asks, "May I help you Mademoiselle?"

Sometime living in Paris with so many temptations just seems so unfair.

mmm...smell the scent before you arrive.

"Bonjour! What a wonderful morning!" they say.
"We're fresh!" they say with a smile.

"Ah, Bonjour! We are the ones you smell!" they say.

Low Carb?

Who can resist? mmm...

I wish I could share the taste, smell, sights and sounds of Paris with everyone!

Vacation Reminders.

Everyday in August there are constant reminders that I am NOT on vacation. Actually "Just Living" in Paris is like a vacation everyday...for me. So why complain?
Still there are the August Vacation reminders everywhere.

Some vacation reminders were carefully constructed.

others seemed to have been a last minute thought before rushing out the door.

"Vacation Reminders" in McDonalds? for cryin' out loud?!

Yea, Bonnes Vacances to you too...I wanted to shop!

Shopping in August will have to wait!

How can everyone just close up shop and leave for the month?

No display, no shopping, no nothing, but a sign.

I wonder what would happen in America if the shops all closed for 'vacances' in August?

A Matinee in August.

What else is there to do in August? See a few movies...

This one is getting a lot of publicity.
Interesting "bill board".

Metro Station Movie Advertisements.

Maybe I'll catch a matinee this week...

This is the Paris that I Love!

What was I doing when I took all these photos? Simply going to meet a friend that lives in the Latin Quarter. I usually have my camera, which makes me still feel like a tourist. I cannot resist capturing small moments of Life in Paris to share.

This is the Paris that I love!!

Peaceful Calm Paris.

This August morning is just a bit cool, but it's the nice kinda cool, where you just need a light sweater to be comfortable in the fresh morning air. Joining a friend for coffee and conversation never get old or boring in Paris.

Morning coffee with a friend.
The early bird gets the bread. (click photo to see the early bird)

Just above Bastille Metro.

This is a peaceful and calm Paris morning that I love!

Left Behind in Paris.

For the twelve (so it seems) of us still left in Paris on an August weekend, not on vacation. What's left to do?

It was easy to find a great seat at the Paris Beach, so my friend and I spent the afternoon sitting by the river, sharing conversation and a small picnic of salad, sandwiches, those chicken wings that come in a bag at the Paris grocers, cheese, chocolates and of course a great bottle of French wine. What else is there to do when not on vacation in August?

We covered the chair in a blanket and enjoyed the afternoon.

Ah...to "Just Live."

White shoes, gold sandals....Just Livin'

Here we sat, just livin'...watching and waving to tourist on boats.

Me in August.

Left behind in Paris, with no vacation plans.

What's left to do? Just Live.

Hope you are "just livin'" enjoying even the small things in life this August. (no matter where you are...it's easy to find a grassy field, or a park, sit, eat, read, talk, drink, laugh...and Just Live.)