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Shades of the French Revolution! A head wearing a tricorne has toppled from a 17th-century bust in an Amsterdam antiques vitrine.
Happy Halloween to all the ghouls, ghosties and trick-or-treaters! (In much of Europe, Halloween is largely ignored, in favour of All Saints Day on November 1st).
A melange of art and curiosities at Art Atypique, photographed in September at a brocante at Chatou, France. Look for Cedric Grare's Art Atypique next week at the Antiquites Brocante at Place de la Bastille. The brocante begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 4th and continues until 7 p.m. daily through Nov. 14th. Tickets are available at the entrance.
Cedric Grare, the handsome proprietor of Art Atypique. He creates unusual art from vintage industrial and found objects. Come to the brocante at Bastille and see for yourself!
Bunches of lavender at a florist in Delft, Holland.
A fall bouquet and a pot of lavender.
Purple thistle and pots of cacti.
It's been a day so disheartening that I listened twice to Earth Wind and Fire's That's the Way of the World. These images of water lilies remind me that from the depths of mess and muck - and even chaos - something remarkable can emerge.
Many, many waterlilies are about to bloom in this canal in Delft: surely a metaphor for challenges we can meet and rise above...
Hadrian's Arch with scaffolding during restoration at the ancient Greco-Roman city of Jerash, Jordan.
Wall with arched windows around a portion of Jerash. When I first visited Jerash in 1980, only a small portion of this remarkable city had been excavated. Steps leading to secret underground chambers and entire buildings were yet to be discovered.
The forum surrounded by an expanse of streets lined with stone pillars. Chariot tracks are still visible on the stone pavement.
See a panorama of Jerash here.
Stage with wonderful acoustics at the Roman Amphitheatre, the main site of an annual music and arts festival in late July and early August.
Pillar detail at the amphitheatre.
Jordanian musicians perform for tourists.
A site under excavation, behind the amphitheatre.
A recently-uncovered tiled floor, awaiting restoration.
A row of chiseled pillar bases.
An arched niche carved into the stone.
Another entrance and exit to the main archeological site at Jerash.
If you'd like to see more of the awe-inspiring beauty and rich history of Jerash, come with me on a Journey to Jordan beginning March 14th, 2011. Read more about the trip's destinations here and here.
Reeds blowing in the wind, Kinderdijk, the Netherlands.
"The wind of change is blowing through this continent..." - former British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan.
More national strikes are planned beginning Thursday, as French citizens begin to absorb the harsh reality of pension reform. Read more about the rolling strikes that have gripped the nation here, here and here.
Steps in the 12th-century castle, Ajloun, Jordan. The nephew of Saladin al Ayyubi built the fortress in 1184-85 to protect the country against attacks. The castle protected communication routes between Jordan and Syria and controlled three main passages within Jordan. Aljoun Castle also protected the development and control of iron mines in Ajloun.
Curved roof.
Excavation work, viewed through an opening within the castle.
More work viewed from the castle's open-air terrace.
A slot for shooting arrows to deter unwelcome visitors.
More excavation work, viewed from the roof.
The valley beyond the castle, as seen from the rooftop terrace.
Want to see these sweeping views for yourself? Come with me to the beautiful kingdom of Jordan on March 14th, 2011. We'll visit the mountain-top castle of Ajloun and watch spirited chariot races and climb the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Jerash.
We'll go to the Dead Sea, where you can float in the water and later apply the famous Dead Sea mud, known for its beautifying and healing properties. At the River Jordan, we'll visit the sacred site where Jesus Christ is believed to have been baptised.
We'll drive to the rose-red Nabatean city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Weather permitting, we'll spend the night in a Bedouin encampment at Beidna and ride a horse, camel and/or jeep through the shifting sands of Wadi Rum.
We'll watch Bedouin women weave rugs by hand on Bani Hamida Mountain. In Azraq, we'll visit the castle where soldier and adventurer T. E. Lawrence - better known as Lawrence of Arabia - was based during World War I.
We'll wander through the Roman Amphitheatre in Amman and the Citadel fortress, where original Dead Sea scroll fragments are housed in a museum filled with historic pottery and other artifacts. We'll walk through the local souks and spice markets in downtown Amman, before a quick tour of the gold market.
We'll visit mosaic-filled churches in Madaba and watch mosaics being restored and/or created at a local school.
Throughout our time in Jordan, we'll sample delicious local cuisine and visit favourite spots frequented by Amman residents. We'll shop for local crafts straight from the designers and creators. And you'll meet some of the fascinating people I've had the great good fortune to know during my years as a journalist, while living and traveling in Jordan.
If the political situation allows, we'll go to Damascus, Syria for a tour of the fabulous local bazaars and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Read more about the trip here and email me with any questions. But hurry - only a few spaces left!
Friday afternoon, I was in a rare strike-free zone near my doctor's office (getting a second series of injections for upcoming travel to India and Nepal). The beauty we often take for granted when living here caught my eye in this corner of Avenue de Tourville. It's amazing how much elaborate detail 19th-century French architects incorporated into their designs.
A closer look.
Keyhole-shaped windows and wrought-iron grillwork on the residence's first floor balcony.
Scroll down the page for a second post today.
An unavoidable advertising prop on a rainy day in Amsterdam.
Silk scarves in an Amsterdam boutique.
Art Deco-inspired fashion in Haarlem, Holland.
Fall-themed shop window, Delft.
Standing lamp with Victorian shade outside a shop in Delft.
The vote to raise the French retirement age - and the changes necessary - are a shock to the French psyche. Read more about the French strikes and proposed pension reform here, here and here.
French unions have called for further national strikes on October 28th and November 6th. Meanwhile, petrol shortages remain, as some fuel depots and oil refineries are blockaded. Paris airports are reporting delays and cancellations, while some European trains are running limited service. Check with your airline for updates.
Young and old join together in strikes opposing pension reform.
The "shocking" sign (top) is in Utrecht, Holland.
Street murals, Delft, Holland.
Hand and eye, Amsterdam.
Mannequin, Delft.
Steer's head, Utrecht.
Biba at House of Fraser, Guildford, England.
Remember Biba? In the early '80s, I was a fan of the distinctive logo and the cosmetics line, with the black eyeshadow used as eyeliner. The new Biba line has the flavour of the '60s. And I'm quite taken with the Biba doctor's bag. What do you think of the new Biba?
In the midst of disruptive strikes, pouring rain, a broken umbrella and a meeting frustrated by needless bureaucracy, seeing this building on rue Paradis - while the workmen were gone to lunch - was a treat. This magnificent building is currently undergoing painstaking renovation to restore it to its original 19th-century glory.
Tiled panels and molded ceilings.
The building's rue Paradis exterior. The photo is tilted a bit, as I was taking the picture while juggling a leaky umbrella.
Mosaic tile adjacent to the building's main gate at rue Paradis.
Luckily, there was no storm and the Port of Calais, France was strike-free, when we crossed the English Channel a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time crossing the English Channel by boat since 1979, when I took the "boat train" from London to Paris.
Vehicles lining up for the next ferry, as viewed from a boat.
A glimpse of landmarks in Calais.
Ferry boats steaming into the harbour.
The famous White Cliffs of Dover, England. The cliffs inspired a song popular during World War II.
The Port of Dover, with Dover Castle high on a hill.
All photos taken with the little Sony Nex-5, which is great to carry in a handbag or pocket for unexpected photo opportunities.
Little twin stars, Paris. These flowers remind me of the Sanrio Japanese characters, my daughter's childhood favourites when living in Jordan and San Francisco.
And more lovely flowers encountered en route home from the Parc des Princes brocante that was cancelled, thanks to fuel shortages and blockades by French strikers. Never a dull moment!
Check with your airline before traveling to or from Paris. The pipeline supplying fuel to Paris airports has been blocked, forcing some flight cancellations at Orly. French news reports suggest Charles de Gaulle Roissy has enough fuel to last two more days, before flight disruptions begin.
Vintage hand puppets and gnomes at a recent brocante at Chatou, France.
If you're an antiques and collectibles fan, this weekend you can choose from three special events - or see them all! A bi-annual brocante at Parc des Princes, a special fall exhibition at Puce de Vanves and an informal brocante at rue de Grenelle are scheduled both Saturday and Sunday. I'll be visiting at least one of them. See you there?
Meanwhile, further strike actions are planned throughout France for Saturday, so expect travel delays and overcrowded trains.
Update Oct. 16th: The brocante at Parc des Princes has been cancelled, due to the petrol shortage.
A Japanese bride poses on the bridge behind Notre Dame, Paris.
Meanwhile, Paris continues to be distracted with rolling transport strikes and numerous protest marches. A crippling strike by 8 of 12 petroleum distribution centers in France and a naval blockade in Marseilles threaten to create flight disruptions into Paris. French President Nicolas Sarkozy refuses to talk with the unions and further strike chaos is expected.
I had a lovely lunch Tuesday with Chris, a blogging friend from California and a laughter-filled dinner tonight with a friend from Washington, D.C. Despite the strikes, we can travel via public transport, although fewer trains mean packed-like-sardines journeys. If you have a trip to Paris scheduled, check with your airline for possible developments, delays or cancellations. Bon chance et bon courage!
Update Oct. 15th: Strikers have blocked the oil pipeline from Le Havre that fuels Paris airports. This is bad news for travelers!
Eight-month-old cherub, England.
Today, pure joy for the rescued Chilean miners, their families and friends. It's fantastic seeing those loving, happy faces as brave miners are reunited with their families. The beauty of the human spirit and triumph over adversity is wonderful to witness.
Congrats to the Chilean government, Navy and Special Forces, engineers, technical specialists and rescuers who worked tirelessly to free the miners. And kudos to the BBC - particularly the Spanish-speaking Tim Willcox - for extraordinary reportage for the past few weeks from Chile. Willcox got to know the miners' families, government officials, engineers and those working to rescue the miners, producing several fascinating stories and interviews.
About a million people participated in general strikes throughout France, protesting President Nicolas Sarkozy's cost-saving plan to raise the pension age from 60 to 62. In Paris, hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, government employees and office workers joined union members in protest marches throughout the city. During my ten years in Paris, it's the biggest strike I've ever witnessed.
Rolling strikes are expected to continue indefinitely, as the Parliament vote concerning the pension age and other concessions nears.
All photographs taken on Boulevard St. Germain.
Vintage glove lasts at a recent brocante at Chatou, France.
A passerby stuck her hand into the picture.
Zinc glove moulds.
Hands up if you love Paris brocantes! This weekend you'll be spoiled for choice: special treats are planned for both Saturday, October 16 and Sunday Oct. 17 at Puces de Vanves, then there's the delightful bi-annual brocante at Le Parc des Princes. Both events are personal favourites, so I may spend Saturday at one; Sunday at another. The brocantes begin at 9 a.m. Puces de Vanves ends at 1 p.m., but the Parc des Princes brocante continues until 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Speaking of being a bit spoiled, I am very fortunate to have a brilliant, clever friend like Di Overton, she of Designers' Block UK fame. I mean, really, how many friends would strap a heavy piece of furniture on their van, then drive it all the way from England to Paris? Big applause and kudos for my fabulous friend Di and her charming partner Harvey. I'm always happy when they come to Paris.
See Di's stylish blog for a picture of the 30-drawer chest, handmade for me by Luke of Kent and London in Whitstable, England. The chest is painted in Farrow & Ball Downpipe and will hold my CDs of photos, as well as my photography gear.
Di recently has been busy with London Design Week festivities, including an interview with the great Terence Conran. Check out Di's latest Ghost Furniture creations; so tempting! It's probably a good thing that I don't have unlimited space; otherwise our abode would be bursting with Ghost Furniture. As it is, I'm privileged to own the beautiful "Louis Louis" chair, a treasured gift from Di. How lucky am I!
Samedi 16 et Dimanche 17 octobre 2010 aux Puces de Vanves.
Pour la deuxième édition de cet événement, les brocanteurs apporteront sur leur stand un objet « cher à leur cœur », objet modeste ou précieux, rare ou curieux qui ne sera pas forcément à vendre. Cet objet sera distingué sur leur stand par un fond de couleur.
Premiers objets prévus dans ce catalogue d’objets ludiques et poétiques : broderie « art brut » cœur, poterie de Ciboure, collage de Marcel Jean, maquette de cœur, cartes postales d’amoureux kitsch, maquettes de vitrine d’Elizabeth Arden par J Jannot, Hispano Suiza (jouets JEP), cuillière fourchette et cuillère « tétine », insectes habillés, akunitan(toge) Fanti (Ghana) et, dernier arrivé ….. une banderole de course d’escargots !
l'Objet du ♥ cœur
Samedi 16 et Dimanche 17 octobre 2010
de 9 h à 13 h
Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
av Marc Sangnier et av Georges Lafenestre – Paris 14ème
Métro : Porte de Vanves ou Porte d'Orléans
Autobus : 58 – 95 – 191 - Tramway T3
Vélib’
Parking Porte de Châtillon et Malakoff
Vintage movie camera at a brocante in Chatou, France.
Today I have been too busy having fun and creating memories to take a single photo. And now I'm too exhausted to write! Hope you've been making some lovely memories of your own during this once-in-a-century day.
Britt-Arnhild and her husband Terje and daughter Marta on a bright sunny day in Paris, with Notre Dame in the background.
One of the advantages to living in a popular city like Paris is that sooner or later, practically everyone you ever knew or wanted to know comes to town. On Thursday, it was my pleasure to meet blogging friend Britt-Arnhild of Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods, her husband Terje and daughter Marta, visiting from Norway.
Britt-Arnhild and I have been reading each other's blogs for nearly five years, so it was good to finally meet in person. We had a lovely lunch and a long stroll around Ile Saint-Louis and environs, which passed all too quickly. It is hoped we'll see each other next in Norway.
The happy couple. Alas, I had only a little pocket camera with me, so too much shadow in the photos.
Facing temptation at a chocolate shop.
An orchid at the same chocolate emporium on Ile Saint-Louis.
Fall leaves for sale at a florist, Ile Saint-Louis, Paris.
Gorgeous stained-glass pieces at Vitrail de Bievre, 26 rue de Bievre.
Shop assistants, sweets shop, Ile Saint-Louis.
Scrawled drawing, Ile Saint-Louis.
Vintage wooden Pinocchio puppet, Ile Saint-Louis.
Wreath of mushrooms, Boulogne-Billancourt.
Bridge behind Notre Dame, Paris, its mesh siding peppered with hundreds of little padlocks and hand-tied messages of love and expectation. The locks are inscribed with lovers' initials and the keys tossed into the River Seine.
Quaint symbols of love:
these locks and their keys
yet no guarantees.
I'm not sure who this gentleman wearing traditional Japanese dress is, but he was kind enough to pose for me Sunday at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. I like the expression on his face: a combination of humour, intelligence and pride.
More photos from the Arc will follow.
Gentlemen at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Sunday at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.
Check back soon for more photographs from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
One of the more unusual hats worn by racegoers at Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.
Workforce was the workhorse of the day, handily winning the Arc. Jockey Ryan Moore rode Workforce to victory. In June, Workforce won the Derby at Epsom, England. The champion racehorse was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who for 38 years had hoped one of his horses would win the Arc winner at Longchamp.
This woman was smoking a post-race cigar outside Longchamp. Check back soon for many more photos from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Another hat adorned with leaves.
A bed for a sleeping beauty is among the unusual antiques and collectibles on offer at the 81st Foire Nationale aux Antiquites Brocante et aux Jambons at Chatou. Today's your last chance until March 2011 to shop at the popular bi-annual brocante.
Take RER A1 to Rueil-Malmaison or Chatou-Croissy and follow the signs to the Ile des Impressionnistes. Buy your tickets at the gate between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Happy hunting!
Ornate bed frame.
A rare Empire gilt, cane and wooden crib. For more images from Chatou, go here, here, here and here. And check back soon for more brocante photos!
Enamelware, porcelain sauceboats and other kitchen collectibles are featured at Blandine Bavoux's Jolie Trouvaille at the Antiquites Brocante at Chatou, France. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday. Tickets are available at the gate on Chatou's Ile des Impressionnistes.
I really like these cheery yellow-striped enamel canisters.
Enamel-ware salt containers and advertising thermometers.
Vintage seltzer bottles from various regions of France.
Horse sculpture near The Sculpture Park, Churt, England.
Europe's biggest horseracing event begins Saturday, Oct. 2 at Longchamp. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2010 features some of the world's top thoroughbreds competing in races beginning Saturday and culminating Sunday afternoon with the thrilling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The pre-race favourite is the three-year-old Behkabad, owned by the Aga Khan, trained by Jean-Claude Roget and ridden by French jockey Christophe Lemaire.
Another strong contender for the Arc title is Fame and Glory, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh. Workforce, trained by Sir Michael Stoute is also expected to do well Sunday.
Tickets are available at the gate at Hippodrome de Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. Entry to Saturday's events is 4 euros per person. Tickets for Sunday's races are 8 euros each. Admission is free for ladies wearing a hat and students under 18 and children.
For more information, visit France Galop's website, featuring a short film capturing the exciting atmosphere of the 2009 Arc. For my photos from the previous Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, go here.
