11 Aug 08
Following a whole day of history, I kinda insisted that we should look at something that represents the futuristic side of France. We landed outselves at La Defense.
La Defense!
Not only was I impressed, I was blown away. The magnitude of ambition used to drive the eventual materialisation of avant garde architecture is simply inspiring. La Grande Arch is something to be seen in person - the symmertically built, tall square box-like structure was something I haven’t seen before for buildings. In fact, the whole area is like a playground for architects and the neo-design buildings with all its steel, glass and white coloured buildings meshed together quite well really.
Loving the architectural design.
My favourite, besides the cubic La Grande Arch, is this one right here - Total HQ. It looks like a building in stealth mode. It blends into the surrounding buildings. Heck, it even blends into the sky.
Total HQ
Le Marais was a convenient area to pass by en route to Georges Pompidou center. The gay district of Paris lives up to its name of being colourful, unique and vibrant. In fact, it was so filled with people that I pondered for a moment if French gay people are exempted from work on Mondays? That does seem in-line with the Sunday gay nights in Singapore clubs. They need the Monday to recover after getting wasted. But the fact that they can live in such carefree manner is quite enviable.
The paronomic view of Paris from the top of Georges Pompidou Center.
On my first trip to Paris, I refused to go into Pompidou center. The only reason why I went there to look at it was to see the ‘architecture marvel’ myself (I still think it looks like the old Katong Mall). This time, I feel ‘rich’ enough to go in for a look. And regretted it. It was bloody boring. And so was LG, to tears.
My favourite exhibit. That’s how boring it was.
In fact, we were so bored we went back to a nearby restaurant to create a parody of a good friend. We paid tribute to Spencer, who was with me in Paris previously when we were on an extremely tight budget. We had our lunch, and dinner, on the same day at this value-chain restaurant, “Flunch”. It was embarrassing but it’s now hilarious.
Dear/Cher Spencer, We had fun at “the restaurant” again. It has upgraded. Wish you were here.
Back at the hotel, even the TV show “Interville”, which shows two French villages competing with each other in various silly games, seems so much more interesting than the religion-based exhibition at Pompidou center. I’m not paying to get into that building again.
Interville - crazy show with crazy women. LG, you loved it so much I had to dedicate this picture to you.
