Yesterday I came across a nicely decorated bus near Montparnasse. At first I thought it was some sort of advertising, but I had a closer look and found out it was dedicated to the homeless. It's called Le Bus Abri (the shelter bus), which is a play on words with Abri Bus, which is what we call our bus stops, and it's painted like an apartment building, because, precisely it's meant to be a little temporary house, if a homeless person wishes to find a shelter for an hour or a day. If I understood well what they say on their site, this bus is also a political claim.
Once again, you highlight a social issue, a need, with a visual treat. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWell, isn't that good thinking!
ReplyDeleteUsing all the resources for good! I like the perspective of the picture.
Glad you are back safely and that you had a good trip, Eric. Your pics looked like you had a relaxing vacation!
Mammie
J'aime le chaise, premier étage, et la cuisine, rez-de-chaussée.
ReplyDeleteAre you on the ground again?
ReplyDeleteI love the photo and the cause behind it. I always joke about how I would happily live on the streets if it meant I that got to live in Paris - but we all know that's an exaggeration.
Jeff GF!
Jeff GF!!
Jeff GF!!!
That is a great idea. Using what you have to solve a problem is always a great idea. Was it a bus that still runs? Or is it a permanent fixture somewhere? Since we live in a small community, we don't have a bus system, but that is good for a larger city, I think.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. There must be a huge queue for it though, as you wouldn't fit many in there. Are there several of these buses around?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea...someone did a terrific job on the painting!
ReplyDeleteI love the style of these ~ happy, friendly and approachable. And the concept behind it is wonderful. Very nice, Eric!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, GF Jeff!
cool idea as well as perspective of this photo Eric.I am glad you took a closer look and shared this with us.
ReplyDeleteAny effort to get at least one person off the street and out of the cold (or heat) is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteWhere is everybody?
Cool idea and paintwork! It's nice to see people helping people. I echo the others above me Jeff...you rockin' GF today! ;-) Eric, merci to you...you and your camera are always rockin' my man! High five!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea, the play on words, the photo and the political slant. How much more creative can the French be on such an issue. The funniest thing from a photo perspective for me is the (business?) woman carrying her suitcase. Or better yet, is she carrying her groceries in her shopping trolley? How juxtaposed can that be?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, let's not forget the fantastic sunshine reflecting! Spring is here and Summer ain't far away! Goodbye Jacques Givre!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful idea! Politically motivated or not, it's still a generous and helpful thing. And so beautifully decorated too.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, we took a ride home, now the ride is home!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued. The bus is beautiful on the outside; I wonder what it's like on the inside. As Hilda mentioned, it seems it will serve an important purpose no matter what the motivation. I wonder whether this will become a fixture in Paris and whether the endeavor will be expanded.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eric, for another interesting photo and more information about Paris in its many facets.
You're so right, Michael. The woman is the complete antithesis of homelessness. Perhaps we assume too much but yes she looks well dressed, successful and probably has a great career. She looks great, I think aspirational in the sense that homeless people do move on and up and anything is achievable with a little help along the way.
ReplyDeleteJust been reading about boss-knapping in France. An alarming turn of events, non? Sarkozy has a stern view of it all. Do let us know more on this situation Eric, if you know anything? For those who've not heard of the latest movement, workers have taken to 'imprisonment' of bosses in their own factory/place of work, in cases of jobs being laid off in these difficult times. Today, three UK bosses of a company in France are being held captive which is how I learned of it.
ReplyDeleteEric T. or the socially committed photography.
ReplyDeleteI like it.
Lynn, you noticed how little Guille wrote? It's because she's behind the boss-knapping in France. Maybe we'll hear later what are her demands...
ReplyDeleteI DID notice, Michael, and am highly suspicious. I also note the absence of the Blog Baron himself. Perhaps she has napped him. Let's guess what our young Francaise's demands will be.
ReplyDelete1. More handsome men shots for sure.
2. Assistant status (free entry) for when Eric attends art exhibitions.
3. To be Eric's resident model for people shots when he can't find unsuspecting victims.
4. To have freedom to give Lynn GF status even when she hasn't earned it. Ok that one slipped out.
Lynn, your "4" would be a nice B'day present ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut are we still celebrating your B'day?
;o))
What a great idea and a very good way to put attention to the subject too, and hopefully wake up some politicians.
ReplyDeleteIt's just so sad that some people need a shelter like this.
Sorry, Thib, but Lynn can't have her #4, birthday or not :~) You guys are entertaining me on my lunch hour. And what's on the crown, GF Jeff?
ReplyDeleteThis BusAbri is such a great idea—and trust Parisians to give it style to boot! Love that you captured it from the Tenin angle too, Eric.
Merci for the good wishes. On the crown today? I will sell the crown and buy baguettes, fromage, café, fruit, and set up a little free breakfast for the homeless. If there is enough for fuel, we can deliver food in Le Bus Abri.
ReplyDeletehe he no, I agree with Alexa. I had my GF ON my birthday and very happy I was too! Yes Thib we'll still celebrate it shall we? Why not? Here's a piece of cake, a flute of champagne and a naughty-shaped balloon. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSELL the CROWN, Jeff? My, my, this hasn't happened before! It's totally new information! What will Phx say - I can't find it in the Constitution anywhere. It's a VERY good cause though, I do admire you giving it up like that. What a lovely Jeff you are.
ReplyDeleteErika Eiffel (the lady who married the Eiffel Tower) was on Good Morning America today.
ReplyDeletehttp://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=12876192&ch=4226723&src=news
Does this mean that the ET is cheating on her with me?
It was not about kidnapping, Michael ans Lynn, it was just a remark about Eric's talents. Could be a book's title too, Eric ou la photographie sociale engagée. :)
ReplyDeleteBut since you ask, well Lynn's list is not that bad. I could adopt it as soon as I kidnap him!!
lol good luck Guille! If you want to find him outside, look on the ground.
ReplyDeleteDoes this lady KNOW about you, Suzy, that's the scary question.
ReplyDeleteThe next winner of the crown can sieze it back from the person who purchases it from me. That's what royalty does, n'est-ce pas? O, je suis désolé, ma reine! But kidnapping is the same thing. Of course, you've already captured Eric, and the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteHowever, rather than sieze the crown, why not use it as collateral to conduct more programs to address issues highlighted on PDP?
Article 12 page 73 paragraph 6 states "crown will be attached to head for duration of said 24 hour period."
ReplyDeleteWith Good Friday approaching, I should have known! I'll need to find another way to serve humanity. Uh, oh...wait a minute...
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent idea!
ReplyDeletePHX -LOL.
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be an immediate answer to a need in Paris and of course in most places. I work with the homeless here in B'ham. It's a growing problem unforturnately. What's the answer? Maybe each city does what it can but eventually there has to be much more!
V
hi,
ReplyDeletehi,
Congrats.. Great post, I like this..
cheers,
Professional Golf Swings
Very nicely decorated. I like that and what a noble reason to decorate it. Interesting.
ReplyDelete