Sights and Sounds of Paris; Marche aux Puces

Okay, received an official compliant that my postings have been much too serious and needs to lighten up on the language and context a little. So this is a concerted effort not to castigate nor commiserate with the various cauterised elements of this catatonic country. whatever that means. =)

Marche aux Puces
The picture above was taken at this place called the Marche aux Puces; it's basically a conglomeration of several pasar malams together in one area. Expensive parsar malams. It's located at the metro Porte de Clignancourt, in the event that any one of you would want to check it out. I believe it's open everyday; we went there on a Sunday and it was bustling with activity, not just with tourists but also with the locals. We chanced upon this quaint complex which housed various shops selling restored furniture and antiques; it was amazing. Armoires dating from the 18th Century, chairs that looked like they came straight out of the lourve, 4 poster beds drapped with silk and lace. lovely. And my one weakness, books and old photos. It was as close as heaven could get on earth. There were old leatherbound manuscripts, the entire collection of Moliere's works in a single bound volume, early pleiade editions from the 19th century. If i had the money, oh boy. But yeah, could just see, touch and smell the books, nothing much else that i could do; that i could afford to do.
Around this complex are also many other stalls that sell everything from clothes, shoes, imitation designer accessories to dodgy looking shacks that have like broken off heads of statues and idols that look like they were looted from ankor wat or something. A highly interesting place to explore and maybe score a few bargains if you can.

Oh yeah...haha...no prizes for what else there is in this place as well. "Ancienne", as the word suggests, means old, previously used. Put the two words together and you have a good idea of what you can find here. Had to take a picture of that sign for the sake of it.

One thing that you'd find throughout the metros of Paris is a vibrant buskering culture. Almost every metro has their own itinerant muscician, artisan, singer or just plain tout. This was taken at Chatelet, the main central transit station for the metro in Paris. There is this resident orchestra there everyday playing and selling their CDs. Truth be told, they are quite good; so far have heard them play Vivaldi's Spring and Winter, and i think, Mozarts Figaro. Might be wrong. But they are entertaining. As with other performers that you will find all over. Though not always talented, they are always entertaining, even if it is their inaptness and sheer bloody mindedness that you are entertained by. Take the metros of Paris, you'll know exactly what I mean.