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...).
Quite a contrast, indeed, Eric!
ReplyDeleteThis is the state of our present social situation, €6500 per sq meter and indigent old citizens having to beg in the streets.
ReplyDeleteBoth situations are obscene. What a startling depiction of the haves and have-nots.
ReplyDeleteElla said :
ReplyDeletemy dream : a small flat in the attick sur le ciel de Paris :)
In 2002 I was looking at very nice studio apartments in the 12eme for around $60,000 to $70,000..pffftt...well, forget that now!!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you distill this important social issue down to a single poignant image, Eric. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a sobering comment on the state of our world these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is both eye-opening and sad at the same time. I don't know how much that would translate to the size of my home, but I know that I am EXTREMELY blessed and usually remind myself of that fact often.
ReplyDeleteHere's a picture that really is worth a thousand words!
ReplyDelete{I'm almost afraid to go to your link and find out that while I'm dreaming of Paris centre, what I can afford is Paris bidonville.}
Interesting topic for discussion....but not fair to blame Paris, as it is one (if not the one) of the best cities on this planet:).....I just wonder how much Mr.Ralph Lauren paid for his boutique?
ReplyDeleteAh yes, these miserable little ladies you come across all over the city. Terribly sad but they do give good opportunies to highlight their plight through a well-seen juxtaposition. Although I often ask myself if I'm helping them at all, or just adding to my portfolio... it's a difficult question to answer.
ReplyDeleteNicely captured Eric. Homelessness is rampant in our world. Very sad indeed.
ReplyDeleteAnd you burst my bubble, merci. Here in Lala Land, I imagine myself living in Paris. Oh well......
I don't understand why these people come to Paris to sit on the freezing sidewalk to beg.
ReplyDeleteI think prices have risen considerably since 2007 when I was there last.
ReplyDeletePrices also seem to rise exponentially in the large US cities ... between "market corrections that is".
Wait a second. She might be a gypsy, a professional beggar. I'll never forget the time I was walking past the Duomo in Florence when the clock struck 4, and a very similar positioned gypsy got up when another gypsy woman walked passed her and the two of them walked off together single file in silence. End of shift. Don't presume.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Eric. Sometimes we need reminded that the Champs Elysees is just a street, and this brings us back to reality.
ReplyDeleteI hope anyone who can afford 6500 Euros per square meter will also think to give to charity. And I don't discount the possibility of a professional beggar. But what a lousy profession, eh?
ReplyDeleteFantastic photo, Eric.
ReplyDeleteEric, just returned on Friday (April 23rd) from 8 days in Paris. I was out shooting on this Saturday as well and I am pretty sure I saw this same lady. On this same day I captured a photo of another homeless man in the small park across from the Grand Palais. I love Paris (lived there for three years and have an office there so I visit regularly) but these scenes do make on stop to ponder.
ReplyDeletecheck also Drimki.fr if you want to know the prices of the square meter
ReplyDeletewww.drimki.fr