If you ever visited Paris, I'm sure someone offered to buy a small Eiffel Tower in the street. This someone was probably from Africa or Pakistan and he was near a tourist attraction - like at Trocadéro where I took this photo two days ago. It may sound silly, but this is actually a huge business and all these sellers are illegal immigrants working for a sort of "miniature Eiffel Tower mafia" that exploits them and makes huge profits. Last summer no less than 60 tons of such Eiffel Towers have been confiscated and several people arrested. Of course, this does not mean the traffic has stopped, it's obviously still very much alive...
What a stock of small statues to buy !! I'm sure this 'someone' knows that the police is everywhere all the time ! Though I have the impression of having always known this, especially in the scope of the Eiffel Tower. Honestly, I don't really know what to think about it... I am pretty sure they would love to do something different. On another hand, they may still be happy to work in this area. And it apparently works not too bad if I judge from the figures ...
ReplyDeleteIt's complicated because they don't pay the taxes that regular shopkeepers pay, that's why the latter are a bit bitter about this situation.
DeleteGood picture—were you "shooting from the hip," Eric? These guys have a tough time, but if you buy from them you're only helping the people who exploit them. And who wants an Eiffel Tower that's made in China?
ReplyDeleteI stole this photo Alexa; pretending to have my camera by my side (on my hip obviously!) and pull the trigger ;-)
DeleteThis guy is from Africa. Surely, he cannot be from Pakistan from his skin color.
ReplyDeleteFrom my visit to Paris a few years back, this is one of the memories that stick out. I saw these guys everywhere...
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