It's true that Paris and France in general are pretty pricey. Food, hotels, rental cars and gas take a big chunk of your travel budget especially when the dollar is so weak against the euro. But, it's possible to be very well entertained in Paris....free! Every weekend the streets and corners of the city are lined with musicians, dancers, skaters, and artists who perform for your pleasure. If you want to throw some coins into their open guitar case or the basket they've set in a conspicuous place, that helps pay the rent and is much appreciated. Buying a CD earns you a big smile and an autograph during the break. It also makes an awesome souvenir of your visit. The group pictured here is "Borsalino," and they have a regular place on the north side of Place des Vosges. As I write this, I'm listening to their CD and remembering how much fun it was to listen to their very French jazz...lots of Django Reinhardt. Walking back towards the Notre Dame I spied another musician playing his guitar and singing catchy Brazilian tunes. I love Latin American music and couldn't resist another CD purchase, "Verde Junco Duo."
Some performers make their living by doing absolutely nothing....and doing it without moving a muscle. How do they survive standing this still, painted with gold in the hot Parisian sun?
These skaters were set up on the square in front of Notre Dame. There were several of them slaloming through the paper cup skate course. This guy was especially talented. And especially hot! Yes, I threw several coins into his collection!
This young man was performing right across the street from
our hotel on Blvd. St. Germain in front of the St. Germain -des-Pres church. While his partner played haunting music on her flute, he danced, cradling a crystal ball on his hands, arms, shoulders, and legs. He was exquisitely graceful and fluid. Well worth the euros I tossed in his basket.
Even in the south of France, the luscsious Provence, you can find free entertainment. These boules players were in the middle of a fiercely competitive tournament in Goult, one of my favorite Provencal villages. Mickey and I spent a lazy afternoon watching them throw the boules and argue vehemently over every toss.
Mickey and I always try to make the Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market on Sunday morning. This trip as we approached the center of town and the myriad of market vendors, we paused a moment. Knowing how easy it is to get separated and lost, we made a plan. "If I lose you amongst the antiques, spices, clothes, linens, jewelry, tee shirts, sunglasses, produce, art, etc. etc., let's plan to meet at noon in front of this statue." We turned to get our bearings...."oh my, it's not a statue at all," but yet another performer, painted white, standing stock-still in the early morning air. As we gawked, he silently moved his arm up and pointed. We threw a few coins in the basket we spied at his feet...the joke was on us!
1 comment:
How fun! Are you just itching to go back?
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