Lets go to were the heart of the city beats: lets go to Les Champes Elysees! I am rested after my long walk in the morning and my long sleep. I will definitely dress warmer and will just take the little camera to be lighter - the big camera takes superb pictures but it is HEAVY!
Until now, Paris is a big disappointment. Dirty and smelly, hobos and gypsies everywhere. No milk, no water, NO FOOD! I expect to be impressed by the most expensive street in the world! At least, to raise one eyebrow!
Metro takes me to "Franklin D Roosevelt" in the middle of a RIVER OF CARS!
Looks like every car in a 20km radius is currently trying to pass through this point at this time! The 8 lane avenue is packed fender to fender on both directions! But not just the street, the sidewalks too! If you stop for a second, the people will possibly pass over you!
I first walk "up" the boulevard, toward L'Etoile (that hosts L'Arc de Triomphe). The overall look of the place reminds me of Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. I wonder who is copying whom? Actually, I know that Kurfurstendamm was build to imitate Les Champes Elysees (back in the 1800's), but now? I keep having deja vue's!
The trees are decorated with big light hoops that change color slowly, from white to blue to red. Modern and impressive maybe, but not very seasonal. The crowds are really annoying. On my left I see a long line of people waiting for something. Guess what? it is the local Abercrombie shop! It doesn't have a front on the street, the shop is through a big gate that is kept closed! I keep walking. Once again lines, but this time it is a Gaumont cinema multiplex, with everything synced in French. Another Gaumont is located exactly across. I also see a FNAC with some kind of happening outside, I will check it out later.
I keep walking "up" the boulevard. Cars are crossing regardless of traffic lights. So are the people. It is a happy anarchy. A long white limo is trying to turn into a side street but misses the turn and falls on to a bollard. The driver comes out to check the damage, closing the street AND the pedestrian flow. Suddenly, police in riot gear appears. Fully armed Gendarmes in blue uniforms with french caps are following. I decide to change side and start walking "down". In front of the FNAC, a bunch of Algerian rappers are doing their thing. They must be popular, I have not heard of them (howeer, I will have the displeasure of listening to this beat-with-wailing thing all the days here)
Back at the rond-point, here the decor is more festive. Big balls of light are decorating the six fountains. There is a carousel and the Christmas village is in full swing. Another deja vue, this time from the Gluhwein smell. Somehow, the Christmas village looks and feels out of place. The decoration is bad and all this traffic blocking everything messes things up. I have to escape from here!
I cut to the left, out of the crowds and walk past the US Embassy. A black suburban passes in a hurry! The streets are quiet here. I pass in front of Buddah Bar and a different crowd appears. At last I see some well dressed people. Girls in Couture and high heels, men in black everything. I keep turning here and there, getting completely lost. Doesn't matter, I am not going anywhere. I pass some really expensive shops, Place Beauvau, pass Hausmann, St Augustin... I am starting to get worried, the streets are empty and it's late and I really have to find a metro station to get back. I am looking for the yellow "M" signs and finally finally... I found one!
Back in La Republique, the same crazy traffic! Good thing that my walk is uneventful to the hotel.
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