19 arrondissement

Was watching bits of Amélie last night to reminisce the sights and sounds of Paris (not that the movie was reflective about my time in Paris lol!) and of course, here's a tribute to the famed scene of Audrey Tautou skimming/skipping rocks at the Canal St-Martin before I continue with the rest of my blog post with my pictures of the canal accompanied by other stuff in the 19th.

Screen grab from Youtube

I did not have the opportunity to spend much time in the 19e arrondissement in Paris during my 3 months there, but I did manage to have a nice walk around the area and along the stretch of the canal. It could be because the 19th is more of a residential area, it was comparatively (to 3e or 4e) quite happening during a sunday afternoon. People chilling by the canal, having some quality couple or family time, little kids riding by in their mini scooters while their parents stroll behind, and teenagers/youths hanging out in bars and eateries(Yes, I was also surprised that they were open on a sunday!! ) chit-chatting over a cup of coffee.

Then again, there is something quiet and special about the canal. Walking along it, seeing the reflections of buildings and trees as well as observing the colours and designs of the street art along the walls of buildings, all contributed to a very enjoyable relaxed sunday!

I think the graffiti/street art, rustic buildings and its architecture surrounding the canal, and the calm waters that so beautifully reflect the surrounding all really added to the whole atmosphere.
Oh! we even had the opportunity to watch a boat attempt to move through the canal (dams opening to allow water levels to even out - sorry no pictures because we were busy figuring out why the boat was there in the middle of a canal haha!)
The different areas of paris do have its own distinct charm and 19e definitely has a different look and feel from the usual touristy areas in the central of paris.

Hope everyone's having a great day!

Strolling along Canal St. Martin - Paris, France

24 September 2014 Canal Saint-Martin, Paris, France

Paris is famous for its beautiful gardens, but on Jerald's last saturday, we made an impromptu decision to visit 2 less touristy greenery filled areas, La promenade plantée in 12e and Parc Buttes-Chaumont in 19e.

La promenade planteé is an elevated pathway that is lined with trees. It was build on top of an abandon railway track, and since it's as high as most of the roofs of the buildings in the area, you get to see a different view from up there. While we were strolling and taking all sorts of pictures/doing touristy things, the locals living in the area were running and doing their morning work out along the pathway. Since the pathway links to a small park, its a really good place for a nice evening run/stroll (the morning sun was way too hot!)

Le Viaduc Des Arts - An old railway train track turned into individual boutiques.

I was hoping this HUGE sundial like thing would work, but it said 11am when it was 1pm :(

After exploring the abandon railway, we came across a nice little restaurant called Simone et Les Garçons. Food was average, but the people were really really nice. We had a conversation with one of the waiters about asian food as he was asking us about kimchi and told us his good friend has been living in korea.

After lunch, we headed over to explore Parc Buttes-Chaumont. One of the interns told me about this park once, and that it was built on an old mine, giving it the hilly-like terrain/landscape. It was unlike any park i've been, so that was cool. I get excited about being to places that are different from other places i've been - i guess in that way i'm quite easily pleased/entertained. But Jerald didn't like the park too much. He said it was okay, but nothing special.

Most of the parks (at least those I have been to) in paris are on flat land, with lots of pretty flowers, nice well maintained shrubs, evenly cut grass patches. But Parc Buttes-Chaumont on the other hand requires climbing up and down different pathways to get to see different parts of the park, lots of tall trees and uncut grass patches, it was a more rugged-natural-effortlessly-cool type of park. I feel like i'm describing a person instead of a park with that last phrase, but whatever. If parks in paris were people, the general parks in paris would be like the stereotypical rich kids from elite private schools, and parc buttes-chaumont would be analogous to kids from the country sides or suburban areas. If you get what I mean. What am I even saying... Anyway, main point is, I had a nice time walking through the park with drinks up at a bar after! And, if anyone has some extra time to spare in paris, go and have a picnic in Parc Buttes-Chaumont.