Lunchtime in Paris

Chinese New Year in Paris 2008 - part 2

Today was the big parade in the 13th arrondissement

We had excellent weather

A lot of people were out today to watch the parade

Fireworks along the parade route

Lest we forget the upcoming Olympic games

Even more colorful than yesterday's parade

Happy New Year!

The tail end of the dragon

There were huge crowds in all the restaurants so I stopped off in Belleville on my way home and got some take out stuff. These were delicious

I bought other things as well for our lunch today but I'm saving the photos for another post tomorrow

I took a whole bunch more photos that are not parade specific so I'm going to make another post on some of the interesting things in Chinatown and yes, it will be about food. Until then

Happy lunching!

Chinese New Year in Paris 2008 - part 1

Today was the big parade in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris.

So, lots of photos but not much food - there was nothing to eat...

Luckily it was a beautiful day. We got to the Hotel de Ville early to watch the preparations. People were posing for photos with the dragon.

And then there was the dragon dance with lots of fire crackers

There were quite a few dragons in the parade

More dragon

All along the parade route the Chinese shops put out offerings

I particularly like this lettuce and clementine decoration. Perhaps I will get one for my office.

These creatures were the ones to take the offerings

It got really hazy because of all the smoke from the fire crackers

Some colorful costumes

I really liked this guy in yellow

Over 1500 people took part in the parade

Paris has never been so colorful

The parade made us really hungry so we afterwards we stopped in Belleville for some lucky spring rolls.

And some lucky har kao

And some delicious lucky noodles with prawns and broccoli

Very tasty and that's it for today. Tomorrow I'm off to the 13th district where there will be another parade and of course another lunch.

Happy lunching!

Kung Hei Fat Choi

And a very Happy and Prosperous Year of the Rat!

Paris celebrations will be held this weekend and I am planning a very big post. If you are in Paris and interested in attending some of the celebrations here is the info:

SATURDAY -

For Saturday 9 February - go to the Hotel de Ville of Paris starting at 2 pm - here it is in French with a link:

La traditionnelle fête du Défilé du Dragon, à l’occasion du passage à l’année du Rat, sera précédée d’une programmation éclectique qui présentera une réflexion sur la Chine aujourd’hui et ses diasporas, notamment à Paris.    
Rendez-vous Samedi 9 février à 14h place de l’Hôtel de Ville de Paris pour le défilé.

Le défilé du Dragon sillonnera comme chaque année les rues du Centre de Paris le samedi 9 février à partir de 14h. Rendez-vous place de l’Hôtel de Ville de Paris pour un parcours qui passera par la rue du   Temple, jusqu’au carrefour avec la rue Turbigo, puis qui redescendra vers les rues Beaubourg et du Renard pour boucler la boucle vers 16h30 place de l’Hôtel de Ville.    

Rens. 01 53 01 75 23 à la mairie du 3e
Mairie de Paris Chinese New Year Parade Info

SUNDAY -

And on  Sunday 10 February in the biggest Paris Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement of Paris starting from 66 avenue d'Ivry at 1:30 pm in French of course but with a link:

Le départ aura lieux dimanche 10 février 2008 à 13h30 au 66 avenue d’Ivry dans le 13e arrondissement.    
     Le défilé prendra le chemin suivant :    

     - départ : 13h30 : 66 avenue     d’Ivry    
     - place d’Italie    
     - avenue d’Italie    
     - rue de Tolbiac    
     - avenue de Choisy    
     - boulevard Masséna    
     - arrivée : 66 avenue d’Ivry    
Mairie du 13ème Chinese New Year Parade Info

I've not taken any photos this week but in searching through my archives I found some old Laos photos that I never posted -

     

A lunch in Luang Prabang

and here is a chicken Makhbous that I did make but never posted either. And ok, it's not Chinese it's Iranian but I still think it looks good.

Anyway, please come back on Sunday evening for my report on the Chinese New Years festivities in Paris.

Until then - Happy Lunching!