Do you remember the new Paris tramway that I mentioned 3 times on this blog already (September 2005, March 2006 and May 2006). Well, they are finally launching it tomorrow (well Saturday)! And today I came across the rehearsal for the big day. Apparently they will have a band and funny characters like these two (when I took this photo they were instructed to look like they were seeing the tram coming). Let's just hope they won't try to board the tram with their stilts! More info here (in English), if you're interested.
Were there more of these stilted folks? They are funny. It's amazing how they can walk around on those things. They can't fit on the tram cars, so we are safe.
ReplyDeleteEric, This is a fun photo. Yes, more, and more of the festivities.
Strange about stilt walkers, I snapped a similar pair when a local clothes shops opened.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about stilts in France, or is it just Paris? I just don't get it! I've noticed publicity stunts often use them, you posted one with policemen on stilts if i remember correctly. Why are they used so much? It's fairly interesting i suppose and certainly must be quite talented to walk on them, but - ? - i'm a bit lost ! i'd like to know the reason.
ReplyDeleteLike the shot though, these colours against grey.
In the Uk, as far as I'm aware, people on stilts are only clowns in the circus!
ReplyDeleteColor-coordinated and everything! Super good catch! Excellent :)
ReplyDeleteYou never know what to expect when you load the Paris Daily pic. :)
Love the colours and the interchangeable hats. It will be a fun celebration, I'd bet!
ReplyDeleteeric, i'm a newbie here, but you seem to be quite the 'johnny-on-the spot' !!! love it!
ReplyDeletehaving un brin difficulty posting ...anonymous above = barbara :)
ReplyDeleteThe clothing look great!
ReplyDeleteVery cheerful colors.
Very funny picture. The contrast of colors works great.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you Eric and all of the DP community for being part of this network around the world. We are celebrating our 200th post today.
I just love this shot...red & green for Christmas colors...stilts for..ummm...tall things like Christmas trees and Eiffel Towers? Ahhhhhh...I really need a big PUSH into the holiday spirit...have a little bah-humbug swirling around in my head! ;-)
ReplyDelete:))
ReplyDeletethe costume is beautiful!!
and i guess the tram is very specail...if they could get in!
:D
have a nice weekend.
jing
Very funny Jing! Hadn't thought about that!
ReplyDeleteEric, you know this photo makes me very pleased! Not just because I think the colours, pose, and shot are excellent, but because this tram comes from who else but ALSTOM !
Here's another link to more about the Tramway des Maréchaux.
Jing..they can get in....if they lay on the floor:)
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteWe have new trams in Adelaide, but I cannot find the manufacturer.
Maybe they were made by Alstom.
Peut-être vous savez la réponse ?
How was Italy monsieur?
Maybe they just inelegantly snap the stilts off and walk inside with their trousers flapping on the floor?
ReplyDeleteSo does anyone know why people on stilts are used for promotion, particularly in France?
my avatar doesn't seem to be appearing. Goodness, johnny, it's not easy is it? lol.
ReplyDeleteThey are so stylish! Yes, I occasionally see stilt walkers promoting things here.
ReplyDeleteI think it comes from the European circus tradition....just a theory.
No Lynn, I don't know. They just allow entertainers to come up with fun characters I guess. The one you saw on the firemen demonstration photo was actually a "real stilt man". that is somebody from Les Landes, a French region in the south where sheep keepers used to walk on stilts to run quicker.
ReplyDeleteHaxo, I did not know the Paris Chinatown was the largest in Europe. Are you sure? I should go back there at some stage by the way, there must be cool photos to make.
PS: I watched the official launch on the local television this morning, it was fun.
Gee Eric, you just skipped over my entire publicity for ALSTOM without even a comment. :-(
ReplyDeleteM. Benaut said...
"...We have new trams in Adelaide, but I cannot find the manufacturer. Maybe they were made by Alstom. Peut-être vous savez la réponse ? How was Italy monsieur?"
M. Benaut, I doubt they are ALSTOM as our operations downunder are very limited, but I'll have to check. Italy consisted of a very short overnight trip to Torino spent in a hotel, so other than the excellent food, can not comment. I've been there before, however, and it's not the most exciting part of Italy. Very industrial.
Eric: to run QUICKER on stilts? lol! Wow i'm impressed... and confused. Thanks for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteAh, Michael, Eric's busy that's all and forgot to say i expect. WE all noticed and always appreciate your links and research, it's great!
Mocko Jumbies are the stilt walkers which originatated in Ghana, West Africa. The word Mocko Jumbie means Good God, or Good Spirit. The art came about, according to one myth, when some of the native tribe had to build their huts on stilts high above the ground due to bad flooding during certain times of the year. In order to get to their huts, they developed the art of stilt walking.
ReplyDeleteAnother myth says that the art was developed by a tribe who felt that because they buried their ancestors underground that if they walked on the ground they would be walking on their ancestors, but the most commonly known myth states that the art of stilt walking was practiced by the African tribe's witch doctor who towered himself over the village in order to see and ward off evil sprits.
Yes! really interesting thanks.
ReplyDeleteMichael said, "Gee Eric, you just skipped over my entire publicity for ALSTOM without even a comment. :-("
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel ;(
I asked both you and Eric about Candide twice and never got a response....:P
Loving the photo, and Ujima's history was super interesting!! So thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteEric, you asked why I'm in Pontoise. Why not be in Pontoise???
No, the story goes as follows. Have been learning French for a few years and wanted to get a bit of a advantage for my aussie BAC, so I figured a trip to France would be an awesome, interesting, and beneficial experience. So I looked into it, and am now on a 6-month student exchange here in France, and the host family I got placed with happened to live just a little way out of Pontoise. But the school I'm at is in Pontoise, so naturally I spend a lot of time there. (Why is it that the French find it necessary to have so much more schooling than the rest of the world????)
Am loving France though, will be very sad when I must return home.
Sorry Susan, I've not seen anything about Candide here and if I had, I'm sure I was too busy to do anything about going. It's a sad, busy, boring life I live!
ReplyDeleteHaxo, I had always wondered why there were always stilt walkers at every African-American celebration party or event. So the next time the universoulcircus.com came to town, I asked some of the African performers about the history of stilt walking in their countries. Of course, because of the diaspora, stilt walking is very big in the Caribbean nations too,
ReplyDeleteWell here's your third chance! The link is here.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds hilarious!
Ok Susan, I did check it out and it DOES sound hilarious. Unfortunately, I'm heading out of town on Tuesday for a long vacation so unless it's still here when I get back, I won't get to see it. Why don't you come on over, go to the show, then give us a detailed review. It's the next best thing, no? Thanks for re-posting the link.
ReplyDeleteUjima, only 16 more days until that Mummers Day Parade! I'm counting on you girl!
ReplyDeleteOh shame you're going Michael, we love your comments. Are you tripping round the world before you go? or checking in now and again whilst on vac? lol
ReplyDeleteI'll see if I can check in now and again, but no promises. I'm sure you can hold down the fort Lynn!
ReplyDeleteMichael said
ReplyDeleteUjima, only 16 more days until that Mummers Day Parade! I'm counting on you girl!
PEST!
Susan :
ReplyDelete"Michael said, "Gee Eric, you just skipped over my entire publicity for ALSTOM without even a comment. :-("
I know how you feel ;(
I asked both you and Eric about Candide twice and never got a response....:P "
I am so sorry. Don't be mad at me, I find it hard to answer to everybody AND take my photos AND write the captions AND visit other daily photo blogs AND answer emails, LOL.
The bottom line is that I never heard of this show here. Which is weird because a famous actor is in it so it must have been widely promoted on television. I'll check.
AND work, don't forget! lol. I'm with you there.
ReplyDeleteEric, No problem...I stopped crying after two days! ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you do get a chance to see it, I would be interested in knowing if it was good. I love the theatre!
LOL Susan!
ReplyDeleteI read about your tram in greek newspapers today. They write is a historic moment after the 1937 demise in favor of cars and buses.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of trams, in every city I go, I always go for as many rides as I can. So, next station Paris!
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for sharing. I will certainly be subscribing to your blog.
ReplyDelete