Paris and I ~ 'When Scottish Eyes Are Smiling'

iPhone Photo Chronicles ~ When Scottish Eyes Are Smiling ~

When Scottish Eyes Are Smiling, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Few people are truly aware of the strong cultural and emotional links which exist between the Scots and the French, although hints and clues are everywhere. i was born in Edinburgh, in case you're wondering where i'm going with this.

No-one could miss the elegant Wallace fountains sprinkled liberally around the city, now synonymous with Paris but originally a gift from Scottish philanthropist Richard Wallace in his quest to bring clean drinking water, and indeed civilisation, to all Gaulles.

And who hasn't experienced the surprised delight of the mademoiselles on the Champs Elysées who enquire of visiting Scots barmy armies (rugby and footy normally) if it's true what they say about their members and kilts are raised to meet expectations...

The fact that the Scots hate the English and so do the French (well, who doesn't?) is another example of the warm international camaraderie still very much in evidence between these two great nations.

And if any doubt were to remain, simply raise your eyes. Above we can see one of the many heart-felt tributes to the land of Burns and the deep-fried Mars Bar: a prestigious Paris street sign on a Scottish flag. Now there's amitié for you.

(A Paris iPhone street photograph by Sab Will for the 'Paris and I' photo blog)

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