Monday, April 01, 2013

Pedestrian crossing


It's April 1st, I should be posting an April fools' day prank, but no... Remember on every 1st of the month it's a theme day within the CityDailyPhoto community and... well today's theme is: pedestrian crossings. We no longer have passage cloutés (nailed crossings) like this one in Paris; they have all been replaced by zebra crossings like the one in this photo. Not very typical Paris, I agree, but theme compliant! One important thing: unlike in most civilized countries in the world, pedestrians don't have the right of way in Paris (they legally do, but not in the mind of Parisian drivers!), so don't expect that cars will stop for you! Please, have a look at all  pedestrian crossings all over the world!

22 comments:

  1. The zebra stripes are safer. With the old design, too many pedestrians got nailed. I like the old photo. I also like how these two women is stylish boots seem to be marching in step.

    Un, deux, trois, quatre,
    I like girls who dress like that.

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    1. I should send your comment to my husband!

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  2. Not only are the girls stepping in time but they are almost in the centre of the two buildings in the background. Perfect timing Eric!

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  3. You've done it again, Eric. This one is good framing, and good timing.

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    1. Merci Petrea. As for the timing, well, I stayed a good 30 minutes in front of this stupid zebra crossing. People were looking at me like I was crazy!

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  4. Haha, crossing the street at a pedestrian crossing is one of the most dangerous activities downunder in Australia!! Love the colours in your photo!

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  5. Wonderful shot. But didn't you attract a lot of attention, crouched in the middle of the road, waiting for the just right moment to get your shot?

    I checked out your link to the catalog of Daily Photos around the world and I am impressed by two things:

    No. 1: Pedestrian crossings around the world look strangely similar, as if trudging through city traffic was a universal human activity, one that unites us all (once we are on foot) EXCEPT FOR --

    No. 2: Australia. Not only are their zebra crossings painted in rainbow colors, but only in Australia will you find guys crossing a street on handstands (To add to the degree of difficulty? To make a pedestrian activity less boring? Because they are young and strong and THEY CAN?). Two more reason why I wish I were Australian.

    By the way, here on Long Island NY I would have to wait for hours to find a pedestrian. However, if the theme for the day was "Running Red Lights In A Big Ass Lexus SUV" I'd be done in a split second.

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    1. Vivian, I vote for "Running Red Lights In A Big Ass Lexus SUV" as the May theme. I can find those all over LA.

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    2. I just spent the weekend on LI and have to agree with Vivian—although if she'd been in Greenport she might have seen at least one pedestrian!

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  6. I love the perspective and the composition of this shot. It shows Paris as the very cosmopolitan city that I imagine it to be.

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    1. Merci Susie. Yes, it IS very cosmopolitan. Propably like all big - rich - cities.

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  7. A little research shows that I was wrong about the Chartier in the 1913 photo of Porte Saint-Denis. The Restaurant Chartier actually is near today's photo location, but in the opposite direction.

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  8. Gorgeously captured and I must say, Parisian pedestrians are a brave lot! (I'm guessing you were perhaps a pedestrian at the moment of this capture too!:)

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  9. Your shot is perfect for the theme and your famous perspective is perfect for the shot!

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  10. This might be the most stylish zebra crossing I've ever seen!

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