Dreaming of a White Christmas… à Paris…
The… “big freeze“…
Is on… its way…
Flurries of… snow… hail…
Will be… upon us…
For the foreseeable… near future…
We’re so… hoping… dreaming…
For a… “Noël blanc“…
A very… white…
White… Christmas…
With carriages… in the snow…
Paris…
Is in a… state of…
Shimmering… readiness…
We are in great anticipation… of the grand happening…
This… December…
Month of the 24th… the 31st…
The birth… of someone special…
A fresh… New Year…
In spite of the near sub-zero temperatures… and the “big freeze” travelling towards us…
We are… in a mood of…
Splendid… exuberance…
Indeed…
Nothing… is more lovely than the sight of … “le sapin de Noël“… Christmas trees in all shapes and sizes flooding every Parisian “quartier“… every “place“… on every corner…
“Les Champs-Élysées“…
The Champs-Élysées is lit up with… “economically hindered”… Christmas lighting… the fabulous golden lights of yesteryear have vanished… “c’est trop cher“… too expensive…
Still…
There are… the charming rustic white “chalets” of the “marché de Noël” on both sides of the “Champs“… offering the Season’s wares… from fur hats… to “vin chaud” or mulled wine… “crèpes“… “raclette“… “churros“… as well as little “Papa Noël“… to dazzle every child and parent…
“Mais“… Le Bon Marché… has the most outstanding Christmas décor of all…
Displayed in its large windows… huge cardboard displays of Parisian rooftops… drenched with soft snow… the miniature Tour Eiffel lit-up… sparkling like a golden space ship…
Utterly… fabulous…
Imaginatively… brilliant…
People are rushing in and out… shopping for presents… preparing for their “Menu de Noël“… the French celebratory dinner of the freshest “plateau d’huîtres“… laden on a huge tray… like large pearls… with chunks of lemon to add zest… to their sensuousness… followed by the delicate French delicacy… “le chapon de Noël“…
A..h..h…
Sumptuous… delight…
Champagne… is being bought by the crate…
From the exquisite “Cristal” of Louis Roederer… Taittinger... Krug… Moët et Chandon… and its “cuvée de prestige“… Dom Perignon… (Napoleon’s favourite)…
Jewellery is wrapped for one’s lover… or loved one… whoever… whatever…
Handsome watches bought for… an adored lover…??
In spite of the plunging temperatures… as well as “la crise“…
The spirit of “Nöel“… Christmas… is upon us…
“La… crise“…
“Quel… crise“…??
We’re… in a “mega”…
Collective… mood…
For…
Celebration…
“Non“…??
“Mais… Oui“…
a.