I'm feeling lucky

With all the complaining about the cold, when I came across this homeless person, I stopped to think how lucky I, and many of us, really are. I know it's not the kind of photo that postcards are made of, but it's a fact that there are still many unfortunate people in the city of Paris. I do hope that someone took him or her in for a hot meal and some dry, warm clothes and that 2011 turns out better for them.

Housing crisis? Obviously...

I took this photo on the Champs Elysées. It would be funny if it weren't sad as the woman who begs crouched against this newsstand cannot see the cover story of the magazine on the ad that says "Real estate in Paris: the real prices...". I bet she does not care anyway, as she'd have to pay on average 6 500 € per square meter for an apartment. Check this site, if you're interested in buying some property in Paris, they have all the detailed prices per square meter for each address of Paris. (Sorry for the late posting, my mistake...).

Paris Bed & Breakfast

Did you know that you can stay in Paris in a Bed & Breakfast? I didn't... Well until a couple of days ago when I received an email from a friend of friend of friend who was actually trying to promote his apartment. I gave him a call and went there yesterday to take a photo. Nice place, cool guy and definitely a good experience (well, that's what his guest book says anyway!!). He also told me that he would soon be offering theme meals : Parisian dinners, Mediterranean, Indian... Check this site for more. You'll see, he's not the only one to run a Parisian Bed and Breakfast. PS: the "rocks" on the floor are not stones but cushions!

Picnic alert: the annual PDP picnic will definitely take place this Wednesday @ 7:30 on the Seine riverside. The weather will be gorgeous! Bring some food and something to drink and don't forget to also bring your good mood ;) More in the forum or on Facebook.

The return of the tents...

Winter is back and so are the tents (check this post if you're new to PDP). This time, they are not meant to attract attention on homeless people but on people who find it hard to find affordable housing in Paris. The tents are not located by the Canal Saint Martin in the 10th, but in the 2nd, in the center of Paris, around the rue de la Banque where three associations have already squatted a whole building (I posted about this here). The movement does not seem to be too popular this year, partly because several celebrities have come to sleep in these tents to show their solidarity.

A parisian loft

Call me lucky if you want but this is where I spent some time this morning - and yes it was work! This swimming pool belongs to an amazing loft, located in the Bastille area (rue de la Roquette) that companies can rent on a day to day basis (this morning it was Samsung who used it to present its latest camera models). There are not many lofts in Paris but they are very much in demand and therefore very expensive. If you want to have a look at some of them do visit this great site.