No.28 to Dec.10.2005 – got so sick from Paris pollutions. Filthy sub-ways system, piss everywhere, shits everywhere (except in the NorthWest of Paris). I am down, big time. Hig body-temperature, head-spining non-stop, cold inside, but hot outside. Strange one!
Morning and Afternoon...
Go around typical famous-tourist places in centre of Paris .....
Evenning....
Had a good dinner with Koko and Raymond.
Boy! What you wear is what your receive for the "service" in the restaurants.
Only God knows if they take shower every day!!!
I am quite surprise to find out, I don't like Paris - I am getting out of here!
Attended the 11AM service at Sacre-Cceur. The grand cathedral in Paris. Situated on the hill,
Montmartre: Revered scene where the first martyrs of Paris met their death, and site of a famous abby of Benedictine nuns, visited by Saint Bernard, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Berulle (found of the Oratorians) and Olier.
The Sacré-Coeur Catholic basilica was built at the end of the 19th century at the top of the Montmartre hill in Paris. Its famous white pastry like architecture is dominating the city (look at the picture below of Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur taken from the Pompidou center). The Sacré-Coeur is a holy place and a flagship of Catholic devotion to the Holy Virgin in Paris. It attracts many pilgrims from all over the world and has a large network of affiliated churches.
Completed in 1914, it was not consecrated until 1919 after World War I had ended. The final cost was 40 million francs. Since 1885, there has been perpetual adoration and worship within. The interior of the church contains one of the worlds largest mosaics, and depicts Christ with outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower contains the ``Savoyarde''. Cast in Annecy in 1895, it is one of the worlds heaviest at 19 tons.
Cloudy day but never stop us from our walking-tour within Paris. Went around many places like...
Forum des Halles
Porte Rambuteau
Quartier Montorgueil – St Denis
Porte Saint Eustache
Place Carre’e – Shopping Centre and Swimming Pool (Gymnase des Hulles) beneath the City Park, Place de la Ratonde – great shopping place for middle class
Bourse Du Commerce – Commerce building
Take the train, SNCF, to Paris. Settled in “Woodstock Hostel”. Riot Police everywhere and road-blocks. Will definately take time to visit Top Ten Museums, Top Ten Monuments, and offcourse also the unspoken areas of Paris.
The world number one city of Direct Marketing ad fine Arts. Attended the Trade Shows and met one of our clients from New York. www.vpcd-expo.com. Secured one new client from Paris. Time well-spent. In the evenning... Went around town, X’mas carnivals and decos. I love the X'mas decos, cotton cuttings and drums on the X'mas trees...
Lille was elected European Capital of Culture in 2004, along with the Italian city of Genoa. In the north-west, the Bois Blancs woods - which lie on the bank of one of the River Deûle's tributaries - surround the river port and provide a large area of green spaces.
Vieux-Lille - a district packed full of history, has changed with the times and become more modern. These changes have not altered the character of the district, but instead highlight memories of the past which make the district beautiful. Examples of these are Rue de la Monnaie with its Hospice Comtesse, (where it's always a pleasure to stroll around), the Place de Brettignies, where the façade of the Maison Gilles de Boë competes with the recesses and gargoyles of the neighbouring buildings, small streets with mysterious names e.g. the Rue des Trois Molettes, which leads to the square in front of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Treille and streets with charming names e.g. the Rue Princesse, where you can see the house in which General Charles De Gaulle was born. Vieux-Lille is also the place to find antique shops, art galleries and elegant boutiques. The latter are set up in tastefully renovated old houses and can be explored from the cellar right up to the attic. The same goes for the bars, Flemish taverns and small intimate restaurants - all proudly displaying authentic decor.
Left for Lille from Schipol. Passed by Antwerpen, Belgium and other mini-towns along the way. Antwerpen is the port-city, many rail-ways and huge-port. Got to see the city from the train and that’s abut it. I like their Bill-Board Advertisements, colorful, extract messages which are also filled with local market-knowledge. Too bad, we are rushing for trade show in Lille, France.
The tree stars hotel is pathetic in Lille. Elevator is half of my size. Good for luggage only. The room wasn’t very clean looking. Smell of cigarette is everywhere. Oh..well…. No time to change hotel now, our schdule is totally PACKED for tomorrow. Will be a busy one for sure.
People like to wear Tide Jeans, Pointy boots, funky jackets, colorful belts and lovely scarfs. Went around many different shopping areas and boutiques. i must say they have a real-quality boots. Even the stiches are not the ones you see from "MadeinChina". Designs are fantastic. Available for all sizes and all ages. There is one shop, tailored-made for big-foot people. This customised-shoes shop which is also aparently, the world-famous one. I forgot the name of the store.
Attended trade show in RAI, NL. RAI is a famous place for International Trade and business exchange services. METS – Marine Equipment Tradeshow learnt many new things, trades and collected ample of info. Cool! Some are for drop-shippings.
I couldn't help but noticed their Designs: As no other historical city, Amsterdam has succeeded in remaining a contemporary breeding ground for creative talents. The many galleries, studios, museums and stores abound with fine jewelry, furniture, glass and ceramic objects, fashion and interior design. Amsterdam’s historical ambience, relatively small size, freedom and openness to new ideas is a source of inspiration for both young and renowned artists.
Met Raymond’s ex-colleague and her husband in Amsterdam. Went to Dutch Market where by you could only see local products, including food, flowers, plants and local crafts. We went to eat at a typical Dutch restaurant. We ordered Crepe. It was so good, generous amount of Cheese and Ham on it. Boy....am I ever get stuffed from Crepe. Love it!
But within an hour, I had a very bad diarrhea, because I am lactose-intolerance. But so-so-so worth it. After all it is an experience that counts!
We went to Station Bijlmer where "ArenA" (national Stadium) and a huge electronics centre "MediaMarkt" are located. Witnessed the rage of Soccer fans at the train station. The people said, every glass and widow has to be replaced, EVERYTIME when Dutch Team losses. But when Nederland wins, there are FREE beers everywhere from everybody. No wonder... a brand-new train-station is under construction just besides this. I found quite a few house-hold electronics products that appeal to me, but the rest are same-old same-old as back-home. http://www.mediamarkt.com
I realised this town has variety of interesting Architectural Designs. Plus I liek their Lighting products designs. Each is very unique and very different. No two products are alike. Good home decos for sure.
Amsterdam has another spectacular attraction! ‘Living Tomorrow’ is the house and office of the future. The Amsterdam architectural firm UN Studio designed this eye-catching building. Living Tomorrow is located on the Arena Boulevard.
Supermarket is also an interesting area. “I got to learn the groceries prices and available merchandise items. In fact, the prices are much cheaper than Vancouver plus the packaging is much bigger. Say for example, the size of the butter blocks are bigger, hair-glue are sold in buckets and not just in tiny individual bottles, sausages are much longer and thicker, beef is less attractive compare to England’s Beef, loaf of bread is much bigger than Vancouver as well as thicker. I love the butter here in Holland thus far but need to get out of Holland and explore the rest of the Netherlands. I haven’t tried the lamb and goat-cheese yet.
Fashion is fantastic. There are many boutiques, trendy streets, hip neighborhoods, and most importantly...many Dutch designers and talent. Sophisticated street wear for the urban minimalist. The styles are crisp, clean and confident fashion for both men and women. It draws my eyes who NEVER like to dress up. WOW, I love it!
