It's Sunday, time for a little rest! I chose to show you a bench that I photographed on line 14, the most recent metro line in Paris. I love this line because it is not too crowded, it's very clean, very nicely laid out and you don't have to wait too long before a train shows up, even at night. Also, something that you may not notice at first sight and that is not publicly known: all seats have arms so that homeless people cannot lay on them... (More photos and information on line 14 here, in French)
It's very sad to see homeless people in the streets, but I don't think avoiding them to use seats in public places will do any better!
ReplyDeleteVery sad fact...
A very lovely photo Eric considering your dislike for the metro. It's nice to see wood and technology used together.
ReplyDeleteLove this shot! It is so propre,the lines, the perspective...fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteEric, thanks for visiting my fledgling blog. It is fun finding a photo using Ham's advice. I often have to ask Dave for more details when I write about a photo.
I wish there was a daily photo for Grenoble because we will be spending four weeks in that city when Spring 2007 arrives. We will have a car so that means we will explore the entire area.
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ReplyDeleteThese seats are incredibly clean!!! Are you sure they were taken in the subway? ;)
ReplyDeleteIf any of you are in Paris between now and February you should see the Doisneau exhibition at the Hotel de Ville (see poster here: Doisneau )
ReplyDeleteDoisneau also captured much of Paris life in his photos - today, like Eric, he would probably also be a blogger.
My favourite metro line and favourite station. I love to watch the children race to the front of the driverless metro so that they can look in the tunnel as the metro races down the tracks. Of course, I'm one of those kids who enjoys it too! There's more information from Wikipedia here.
ReplyDeleteSorry it's me again...hope you don't get sick of me commenting.
ReplyDeleteI just was over at Ujima's blog where she has a photo of some chairs that look very similar to these. I just thought that was quite coincidental between Philadelphia and Paris!
That is a pretty pic of the Métro. Let say it doesn't show the typical Métro.
ReplyDeleteI wish all métro-stations would be so nice!
I agree avoiding homeless people to lie isn't really nice.
In the "Canard Enchainé" (famous satyrical newpaper in France), they spoke about that months ago: designers are asked to make sits that way...
Still, during cold days, the Métro is especially open for them at night so that they can relax in a warm place.
Fantastic photo!! there's something of special in any subway photos...have a nice sunday. Giampi from Rome
ReplyDeleteAmong metro systems, Paris has one of the best. I always say when I visit that I'm going to ride the buses more because I want to see more of the city. But I'm always I want to see as much as I can in a limited amount of time, and the metro is the fastest way. Wonder how long this bench will stay in such pristine condition before it gets tagged with graffiti, spotted with gum or love-crazed teenagers carve their initials into it.
ReplyDeleteYes, they replaced all the old bench style seats in the central underground stations of Sydney with those with arm rests too. Same reason.
ReplyDelete:P
ReplyDeleteso empty seats!!Today i went out too, but the metro was full of people!!!Crowded...i even didnt have chance to take some "empty" photos!!
Um..here, in the midnight, the entrance of the Metro were locked, so the homeless people cant lay on those "non-armed" benchs.
luv the perspective!!
...Jing
i like the perspective... there isn't a metro line here, maybe it isn´t necessary yet.
ReplyDeletegreetings from Peru
Can't resist....Michael, you can comment as often as you like. I love reading your "stuff." Eric,Tomate, and Haxo always create such interesting commments, too. Keep up the good work, Gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteAh Le Metro. Line 14 used to be one of my favorite lines. Nice and clean and no driver!! The other shots agreat also.
ReplyDeleteGood to catch up with your photographs Eric, as always memories abound.
If we only had metros in Florida, it might make dodging the traffic a lot easier. Of course, a metro in south Florida would mean you'd have to wear a wetsuit. Yes, the chairs in Ujima's Philadelphia blog Do look similar. Good observation.
ReplyDeletevery clean indeed. our metro systems aren't as clean. of cos it shoes the wear of the times. great angle to this shot.
ReplyDeleteWonder how long it will be before Line 14 ends up like the rest of the Paris Metro & most other underground rail systems?
ReplyDeletethe way you've captured it, it looks like seats in an art gallery or museum. yes, very calm and quiet. I love it!
ReplyDeletethere were banches in Budapest too, where always homeless people were laying. The local government put arms there..and guess what happened? They laid under the bench.
ReplyDeleteAnd then what happened? The local government put "arms" under the bench too. With such a creativity they could think about cheap rent or more shelter too.
They don't look to comfortable, but very stylish! The Metro is certainly changing. You have given me a great idea, I am going to do some transportation shots. Like you I don't usually use public transport but I think I can get myself around.
ReplyDeleteYes very beautiful line indeed. I'm just surprised to see how quickly this brand new one, like RER E to, gets ruined (mostly the ceilings). Was it so badly build ?
ReplyDeletethis shot makes these seats looked neat. And i like the perspective:) you took
ReplyDelete:D
Stopping the homeless from having a rest in a warm place seems particularly cruel to me. Same thing in airports, when sometimes I just wish I could have a rest and most of the time now you can't. Do the people who design theses things only travel in first class with access to posh lounges?
ReplyDeleteForgot to add though, that the picture itself is beautiful!
ReplyDelete