From Where I Stand

From Where I Stand, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Paris is nothing if not acutely aware of her own beauty, the
narcissistic cow! Looking down from the top of these steps you have a
truly panoramic and breath-taking view of the city of light (and porn,
and homelessness and conspicuous consumption, but let's not get into
that).

Looking up from the bottom you are amazed by this fairytale Disney-
like icing-domed palace called Le Sacré Coeur (also home to mafia-like
beatific bouncers who jump upon every indecently bared lens as though
you were trying to steal away their very weeping souls.

Lest we forget, Paris doesn't give a damn - she'll be around long
after any of us here have stopped tapping out tired tirades on virtual
klickety keyboards.

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

Bits and Pieces

Bits and Pieces, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Late night Gare du Nord is not the best place for a white boy to be
hanging out with a nice camera, or even an iPhone for that matter, but
at least the latter, which i'm using here, is far more discrete than a
thundering great SLR dangling around your neck screaming out 'Hey, i'm
over here - come and mug me: over HERE i say!'

This is a view of the brand new facelift facade through an enormous
piece of industrial Meccano that just happened to be passing by.

To the left is the free open-air Paris campsite (tents not allowed)
and on the right drug dealers central (open all hours). 'Facade' is
the word indeed.

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

Big Mac On Heat

Big Mac On Heat, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Guess where... Did you guess? A McDonalds restaurant next to a
friendly neighbourhood porn cinema...

Yes, that's right - it's Paris and it's Pigalle - did you get it
right? Great! Here, have this plastic Eiffel Tower keyring as a prize!

Oh, and if you hurry, there's a free Big Mac on offer for every entry
to 'Big Girls On Heat' purchased...

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

Need A Leak?

Need A Leak?, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Ultra-modern RER line E is one of the jewels in the crown of the Paris
transport system.

Sleek new trains whizz by, the stylish design really catches the eye,
the high-tech feel of the place certainly impresses, and the, errr...
red plastic buckets slap-bang in the middle of the platforms catch the
drips from the leaky roofs...

Glad to see reality hasn't been entirely suspended.

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

Sacré Bleu

Sacré Bleu, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

A dull old photo of Sacré Coeur wasn't doing much for me this Easter
Monday morning, so i sabicalised it!

Montmartre was crawling with tourists and pilgrims yesterday and i
didn't venture inside, contenting myself with the gargoyles and the
grime. Honestly, it's really grimy round the back, go take a look!

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

Draw Me A Democracy

Draw Me A Democracy, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

In a paraphrased quote from the classic 'The Little Prince', Paris street
artist Jérôme Mesnager illustrates one of the three French principles: liberté,
egalité, fraternité.

Jérôme has painted his iconic boneman all over Paris for many years
now, and i'm always happy when i discover another of his works during
a Parisian ramble.

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

Heading Home

Heading Home, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

Late night fatigue on both sides of the train window as we chugg
through sombre Châtelet Les Halles on the way south on the RER Line B.

This train station always fascinates for its many sides, whether
unsettling or insalubrious, disquieting and never quite relaxing.

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