Paris oh la la

Paris – ville lumière. During the Christmas season this takes on a slightly different meaning than the one that suggest it is the city of enlightenment as in centre of education, when all the lights shine in unison it is not too far fetched to interpret “ville lumière” as city of lights…

The Eiffel tower on December 26 2017.
The Eiffel tower on December 26 2017.

The upscale shopping center Galeries Lafayette in Paris is decked out for the holidays. The after Christmas Sales are on and if you go inside you will find one of the most elaborate displays ever.

Galeries Lafayette on Rue Lafayette,
Galeries Lafayette on Rue Lafayette.

The magical display inside Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Below is a still picture of the display.

Galeries Lafayette Christmas display.
Galeries Lafayette Christmas display.

Here is a look down Boulevard Hausmann by the Galeries Lafayette:

Boulevard Hausmann by the Galeries Lafayette.
Boulevard Hausmann by the Galeries Lafayette.

A beautiful art deco Metro station entrance:

Metro entrance to line 3 Parmentier stop.
Metro entrance to line 3 Parmentier stop.

Another look at the ever so beautiful Eiffel tower:

Eiffel tower Paris.
Eiffel tower Paris.
Eiffel tower from the butte de Montmartre and Sacré Coeur.
Eiffel tower from the butte de Montmartre and Sacré Coeur.
Sacré Coeur.
Sacré Coeur.
La Opera de Paris.
La Opera de Paris.
La Opera de Paris sculpture.
La Opera de Paris sculpture.
Arc de Triomphe as seen from atop Galleries Lafayette.
Arc de Triomphe as seen from atop Galleries Lafayette.
Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe.
Le Escargo Montorgueil. Leaves no doubt of what is served here!
Le Escargo Montorgueil. Leaves no doubt of what is served here!
Le Moulin Rouge in Montmartre.
Le Moulin Rouge in Montmartre.
Le Grand Rex Theatre
Le Grand Rex Theatre. 
Musée du Louvre
Musée du Louvre. 
Musée du Louvre - an animal in the interior parts guarding a grand staircase.
Musée du Louvre – an animal in the interior parts guarding a grand staircase.
Notre-Dame de Paris western facade.
Notre-Dame de Paris western facade.
La Seine and la tour Eiffel.
La Seine and la tour Eiffel.

 

Christmas Cheers

Up side down Christmas trees are said to be all the rage in the US this year. Tate Britain in London commissions a Christmas related work of art each year from different artists. Below are pictures of the work commisoned for the 2016 season, an upside down Christmas tree by Iranian artist Shiraze HoushiaryTate Britain London, upside down Christmas tree 2016 by Iranian artist Shirazeh HoushiaryTate Britain London, upside down Christmas tree 2016 by Iranian artist Shirazeh Houshiary.

A look from above at the Tate 2016 commissioned tree.

A look from above at the Tate 2016 commissioned tree. Here is a link to this years commission.

A snow globe with a Christmas tree scene under the Eiffel tower in Paris 2014.
A snow globe with a Christmas tree scene under the Eiffel tower in Paris 2014.
Closer look at the 2014 Eiffel tower snow globe.
Closer look at the 2014 Eiffel tower snow globe.
The Christmas tree that is donated to the City of London each year by the country of Norway as a thank you for their support during WWII. This one is from 2013.
This Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square is donated to the City of London each year by the country of Norway as a thank you for their support during WWII. This one is from 2013.
A plaque that shows where the tree is from.
A plaque that shows where the tree is from.
Another London favorite, Carnaby Street Christmas decorations, this is from 2016.
Another London favorite, Carnaby Street Christmas decorations, this is from 2016.
Boots drugstore on Oxford Street in London during Christmas 2016.
Boots drugstore on Oxford Street in London during Christmas 2016.
Another London tree at St James's Place.
Another London tree at St James’s Place.
The beautiful Covent Garden Reindeer from 2014, another London favorite.
The beautiful Covent Garden Reindeer from 2014, another London favorite.

And, to end the Christmas parade: Here is our little feathered friend from Hyde Park to sing bye – bye for now.

A colorful little bird from London's Hyde Park.
A colorful little bird from London’s Hyde Park.

Santa Monica Venice Christmas Run

The 40:th Santa Monica Venice Christmas Run was held this morning after being postponed due to the poor air quality caused by the recent wildfires.

Santa Monica Venice Christmas Run end of course in Venice at Pacific and Windward Avenues.
Santa Monica Venice Christmas Run end of course in Venice at Pacific and Windward Avenues.

The morning was perfect for the run, a cool 13℃ and a pleasant morning sun met the runners at the finish line on Windward at pacific at around 8 o’clock this morning when they started arriving.

Here is info from the run web site:

5KSTART TIME: 7:30AM
10K START TIME: 8:30AM START LINE: OCEAN VIEW PARK – 2701 BARNARD WAY, Santa Monica, CA 90405
FINISH LINE: WINDWARD AVE & PACIFIC AVE, VENICE BEACH SIGN

Finish line at Pacific and Windward.
Finish line at Pacific and Windward.

The course winds through Santa Monica and Venice and if you run 5k it is one time around and for 10k obviously 2x around the course.

A look at the runners approaching the finish line looking South on pacific from Windward Avenue in Venice.
A look at the runners approaching the finish line looking South on Pacific from Windward Avenue in Venice.
Finish Line under the Venice sign at Windward and Pacific Avenues.
Finish Line under the Venice sign at Windward and Pacific Avenues.
A Snowman helps create a Christmas atmosphere at the finish line area.
A Snowman helps create a Christmas atmosphere at the finish line area.
A DJ was on stage spinning for the runners and onlookers.
A DJ was on stage spinning for the runners and onlookers.
A look at the Dj and the stage from the Ocean Front Walk side.
A look at the Dj and the stage from the Ocean Front Walk side.
Signs put up earlier in the week warning of the road closures for the race.
Signs put up earlier in the week warning of the road closures for the race.