First the weather : rainy rainy since several days ! We seem to be in autumn not in winter ! And the heat is hot around 10 degrees ! Amazing ! !

One week after Christmas time, pleople continue to buy gifts, food for the last night of the year. Everybody try to do, something special ! For this night, it is a real competition : go to bed the latest possible ! !

But as you know we only pass from Saturday to Sunday, from December to January, from the 31st to the 1st ! ! Nothing will happen.

Since my adolescence, I do not like this period. Indeed, I have never waited the end of the year to have pleasant time with friends.

One year, I made photos in Paris and other years it was an evening between friends at home : speaking, laughing, games.

For this year and as ten years, I will have a delicious evening with my lover. Champagne, foie gras and good music.

The day after, we will have a brunch at home with our sons. The essential for us.

But in Paris, as in New York and may be many towns, there is a tradition : kiss his/her lover in the Champs Elysées.

When I made photos the 31st december in Paris, I went on the Champs Elysées and it was completely crazy : too much people, completely drunk.

Although, I wish a happy new year. Can we hope less violence, less crisis, less individuality ? I hope so for all of us and for our children.

Now I am waiting your own blog to explain how is it in your country.
Friendly 
Chrystel

Few comments about christmas :
On Wednesday, my children had the christmas party at my company. They began at 8.30 am, made drawings to decorate my office.

Regarding Paris, I really love this town. As all capitals, there are a lot of things to do and to see : museums, cinemas, parks, Opera Garnier, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris. We can eat all food of the world : chinese, japan, italian, russian, tibetan, corean, ect ect...
For your pleasure, This is other photos and specially of Notre Dame de Paris with a beautiful vue on Paris.

For whom who wish to come in Paris, there are some photos outside of « cliché » :

An other place named La Vilette where there is a big parc, an area for several exhibitions. During the summer, from 11 pm, movies are broadcast outside, under the stars, sit down on the grass. And a special place for cinema : La Geode. Movies are broadcast on a big big screen.

The bridge where had been filmed the movie Hotel du Nord of Marcel Carné in 1938.

Elevated railway in Paris.

To finish regarding Paris, Paris is made of 20 districts and all are very differents. You can find fashion places, bourgeois places or popular places.
I hope you will be happy by this photos.

However, as I said, I was at Cabourg during two days. Cabours is a seafront town of Normandie. I spent these two days in the celebrate hotel : Grand Hotel de Cabourg. Well known and described by Marcel Proust in his novels. Old hotel build in the begining of the 20th century.

Nothing really original : few decorations in the streets but the real magic comes from the color of the sea: a beautiful grey and the desert beach. I guess the sea under snow must be very beautiful but I had not this chance during my journey. Sorry I had not my camera so no photo.

Today, I went with one of my son of 6 years old to see the windows shop. In Paris, it is a rendez vous for children and mothers/fathers.

Each year, all is done for the children with animated toys or animated animals.
Few photos below :

But this year, I do not understand all is done for the adults! No toy, no decoration for the young children. This year : animated toys representing Karl Largerfeld and rock'n'roll toys. Even if I really love this kind of music (the Stones, Iggy Pop, The Clash...), I think that all is already done around music and star system: everybody wants to become a singer or wants to be on television (not me) !!

What do you think of these pictures ?

For my next blog, I will explain you an other step of christmas preparation : the christmas tree for children. They are organized by companies for the children of their employees. Mine is for the 14th december and my sons are very impatients.

See you on next Sunday. I wish you a nice week and I looking forward to reading your comments.

Best regards
Chrystel

In Paris, all is done for Christmas :
- Each year, a famous french actress give the departure to the lights of the Champs Elysées' Avenue. The most beautiful avenue in the world ! ? I am not agree. We have small places as a south french villages more beautiful than this large and cold street, only dedicated to the expensive gifts.

- Families go to admire the shop windows of our big stores (Printemps and Galerie Lafayette).

- Fir trees are for sale in streets.

- Christmas singings are broadcast in streets.

- Chocolate, fois gras and champagne are everywhere in the shops

I will go to Cabourg (City of Normandie) in few days, I will say you how this french town celebrate Christmas.

Have a nice week
Best whises.
Chrystel