Perfect weather this weekend: 10°C with abundant sunshine, and even though I’m finalizing the formatting of my book (you have to do everything yourself these days; the author is also the layout artist, designer, proofreader, promoter and lots of other things), I will take time out, later in the day, to walk at least a portion of the High Line.

It’s not really called the Paris High Line, it’s called la Promenade plantée or la Coulée verte, but New York City’s High Line project was inspired by the Parisian Promenade plantée (tree-lined walkway), completed in 1993.

Contrary to the NYC promenade which is 1.45 miles long (2.33 km), the Paris promenade is 3 miles long (4.8-kilometer). The diversity of plants as well as architectural styles, mostly dwellings, that you pass by is interesting. A slice of Paris.  The photo below is a bamboo grove.

(This post was written a few years ago) – I can’t tell you how relaxing and enjoyable it was to stroll along at your own pace, feeling the sun on your face and hearing the birds chirping.No cars, no noisy scooters…just joggers, pedestrians, space and nature. Because I went fairly early this morning, there weren’t many people. But I hear it gets quite crowded on Sunday afternoons. Too bad I live on the other side of the city, otherwise I’d be here all the time.

Picknicking Parisians and below that, a happy walker (me, a few years ago.)

When you reach the end, you turn right at some point and come out onto the avenue Daumesnil. Here’s the original “Viaduc de Bastille” constructed in 1859 and which carried the railways of the Paris-Bastille-Vincennes train line. Now they are design shops and artist workshops. The promenade runs along the top of the viaduc.

 

For 3 nights, starting tonight, and in solidarity with the Ukranian people, the Eiffel Tower lights up blue and yellow.

Here in Europe, we’re all glued to our screens watching the news, aghast. Putin sounds demented. And Macron … what was that 5-hour long-table session all about? A complete waste of everybody’s time.

I have Ukranian roots, as it turns out. While researching my family history, late in life, I learned that my maternal great-grandfather, Myer Cohen, came from the Russian town of Bielaia Tserkov, now in Ukraine. With his Belarusian wife, Annie, they settled in England towards the end of the nineteenth century. My middle name, Ann, comes from my Belarusian great-grandmother.

Just some trivia I thought I’d throw in.

Anyway, the 8 pm news is coming on and I’m going to watch it. Have a pleasant weekend.

If anybody wonders why more than half of the world’s population is pissed off, the article below could shed some light on that. In one word: venality. It sure pisses me off.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/feb/20/credit-suisse-secrets-leak-unmasks-criminals-fraudsters-corrupt-politicians

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/feb/21/revealed-king-jordan-used-swiss-accounts-hoard-massive-wealth

 

Late yesterday, the Champs-Elysées was enveloped in smoke caused by tear gas fired from canisters. An effective method to disperse crowds, it burns not only your eyes, but your nose and throat. Another method the police used was to bring in vehicle-removal trucks to literally lift the offending parked cars right off the street and take them to the city pound. I’m not sure how much it costs to get your car back. (I don’t own a car.)

According to this morning’s tweet from the Paris police, 97 protesters were “apprehended” (stop and search) and 513 were “verbalized” (issued a fine). 81 people are in custody.

The general consensus is that the French “Freedom Convoy” protesters failed in their attempt to reproduce the Canadian model. By this morning (Sunday) they were gone, some to go back home, others to head north to Brussels where another demonstration is scheduled for tomorrow.

President Macron heaved a sigh of relief, no doubt. He has other issues on the table. Also, this year is a presidential election year beginning on April 10. 

Below, the first video shows police removing cars from the Champs yesterday. The second video shows cops “apprehending” protesters and firing tea gas into the crowd.

 

“Inspired” by the protest in Canada, thousands from all across France are descending on Paris tonight (Friday February 11) to voice opposition to the country’s COVID-19 vaccine and public health policies. From Lille in the North and Strasbourg in the East; from Nice, Bayonne and Perpignan in the South, organizers are claiming their goal is to peacefully voice opposition to infringement on their “freedom” and “fundamental rights.” There’s talk of heading to Brussels for a “European convergence” on Monday.

But measures have been put in place to “prevent the blocking of roads, issue fines and arrest those who break this ban,” said police headquarters in a statement. The ban will last over the weekend, from Friday until Monday. Over 7,200 police officers and armored vehicles have been deployed and anti-riot barricades erected on the Champs-Elysees and elsewhere.

The Paris police issued a reminder that obstructing traffic can be punished by a two-year prison sentence, a €4,500 fine, and other measures enabling vehicles to be impounded and driving licences suspended for up to 3 years.

“The organizer of a banned demonstration can be punished by six months’ imprisonment and a fine of €7,500,” the préfecture said, adding that those taking part could receive a fine of €135.

Here’s the logo of the Police Prefecture. Funny that it has the slogan “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” written on it.

What isn’t clear, then, is what the vehicles will do once arrived in the nation’s capital. There won’t be large trucks like in Canada. I just watched the 8 pm news and they seem to be playing it down. Only a few minutes were dedicated to the “Freedom Convoy” (le convoi de la liberté) before moving on to the Russian standoff in Ukraine, the number one focus of attention right now here in Europe.

 

I don’t watch football – or soccer, as it’s called back home – so I didn’t have a clue who Kurt Zouma was. And then a video appeared, and all hell broke loose in England (and in France.)

Who is he?

Kurt Zouma is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club West Ham United and the France national team. (from Wiki)

Born in Lyon, Zouma lives and plays soccer in England.

What was the video and why did all hell break loose?

Zouma was filmed kicking his cats and throwing objects at them as he chased them around the house. His brother, Yoan, was doing the filming and both of them were laughing. A child is seen in the kitchen of the £2m mansion. Believing these actions to be really funny and wishing to share, the brother posted the video on social media (with laughing emojis.)

The video went viral, the RSPCA was called in and took the cats away, Zouma was fined £250,000 (this only represents two weeks’ pay as he earns £125,000 a week), Adidas dropped their footwear sponsorship with him, the Mayor of London made a public statement against animal cruelty, and more than 160,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the footballer to be prosecuted. Oh, and the brother, Yoan, also a footballer with another club, was ordered to quit.

Professional sports men and women are supposed to be role models.