I'm not talking about the man who sits next to the cash machine at HSBC across the street. He's a street drinker and when he's not there (where does he go?) there's a lovely dirty greasemark that he leaves behind on the wall to remind us of his presence. Truly, it's like his own little Turin shroud.
And I'm not talking about my favourite homeless boy - the one who lives on the other side of the main avenue outside the house. The one with the 'Pet Shop Boys Road Crew' t-shirt. He drinks Breton cider. And he's quite cute. I usually slip a euro or two into his pot while he's asleep. And no, that's not a euphemism.
I'm actually talking about the folks that live in tents just up the street.
This makes my neighbourhood sound really awful doesn't it? It's not, it's just popular with the homeless. Hmm. That sounds bad too. I give up.
So, the folks that live in the tents were having a good old party tonight. I walked past on my way home from a, erm, date tonight and there they were, giving it large. They had music on (how?) and they'd got a good old bar set up.
One of the men had a fishing rod out and was wielding a plastic cup on the end of it into the street, trying to get donations from passing cyclists.
He managed to tangle up two Vélib' cyclists in his line, causing them misery and pain - much like they cause us foot-folk on a daily basis in Paris. Watching them trying to fight their way out of the mess they'd got caught in was spectacular. The boy cyclist looked like he was about to cry. Hilarious for me, but I know I'd have been furious if I'd been the cyclist.
For this, the homeless guy got my thanks, my praise, a mini applause and a two euro coin. Worth every single cent.
Oh and the date? What can I say? He was a skater boy.
I said, "see you later boy".
And I'm sure I will, too.
18 commentaires:
I trust you meant sk8r boi-- and you said "l8r".
Hope your date was absolutely ... golden.
"On The Street Where You Live"? It sounds like a fun place.
Margaret
A date? Is Le Parisien already out of the picture?
Hey CB....seems you are remarkably well informed? And yes, I did indeed say 'c u l8r boi'...he he
Margaret - it truly is a great street to live on. Mildly ridiculous at times, but funny....
L - it's part of my 'keeping my options open' policy. Until I know where I stand with le Parisien, that's how it'll be....
When I was 17 I lived with a guest family in Nice for a few weeks and I'd always greet the people sitting on the bench in front of the apartment building. Then one night I heard my guest-mother go off on a rant about them because they were homeless people and I think she said they were bringing the value of her apartment down... I didn't have a clue.
Hi Marjolein...i guess it's just another case of nimby-ism...although a bit of an exotic one, eh?
It always confuses me when I see homeless people with music and stuff. Especially when I didn't see them with it last week.
A sk8r boi? I went through a phase like that. Did the date go well?
Poser, it went well, in as far as a date where you never leave the house goes....he he ;-)
If the street people in Paris are as clever as here, its likely they tapped into a street lamp's electrical wiring ... this is good for street music/party but heaven help the pup who pees against it ... HOT DOG
I use to wonder how the homeless ever became homeless in the first place.
I learned that in the psyche ward and it broke my heart.
Where are their families or people who care about them? How can they just let them go?
And now - with the economy - how big are the tent cities going to get? How many will end up homeless and how do you teach your child to eat from a dumpster and beg for money?
Sad life my sweetie.
Yet - that being said - this party sounded like fun.
I guess I'm saying I see them in a different light these days. A little insanity opens your eyes.
D, maybe that's how they got the power - but they have dogs too...I'm going to look this evening...
Aims, there but by the grace of god/allah/buddha/gin go all of us. My brother works with the homeless and living on the streets is never far from any of us I fear...
In that case, good on ya ;)
L - good on me and heaven help me at the same time....he he
We discussed you at a party last night. My friend says you weren't necessarily "going out" with le Parisien just because you a had a few dates. I was a little confused on where Sk8r boy had come from ... Go you! You keep those options open! :)
MP, I'm thrilled to be your topic of conversatioN...he he. I love that.
the Parisien and me, well we're just taking our time. Meanwhile I'm still doing the 'active social life' thing...he he a boy has to, no?
I'm not sure I'd like a tent city in my street.
I can understand why you didn't leave the house if he was a skater boy. Too embarrassing to be seen with. ;)
12oti, it's not so much a tent city as two tents discreetly tucked into an arch near the Bastille Opera car park. It's classy, really.
Its something about Amsterdam I find mildly disturbing.... there are very little to no homeless people in the city center or within the canal rings.
They *do* exist, but the Dutch govt ship them out to other areas.
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