The Parking Nightmare of Paris

[Thom Courcelle]

In keeping with our recent mail art exchanges detailing the cultural and topographical nuances of our respective cities, Dean send me an oversized placard emblazoned with city of Paris district (les arrondisements) maps, with a foreboding warning concerning the car parking situation in the City of Lights:

"To Park, or not to Park;

To Drive, or not to Drive;

To Pay, or not to Pay;

Paris Life, unknown to Tourists"

The piece is embellished with what I think are pre-pay parking meter "credit cards."  I like that they have cartoon depictions on them with safety and courtesy saying on them:

Pensez aux handicaps!       Be considerate of the handicapped [before you park in zoned spaces]!

Voiture mal garée pietons en danger!       Badly parked cars [place] pedestrians in danger!

I especially like that one of the cards depicts a stray dog who has tinkled on the sidewalk!!!!  Très amusant, mais un peu trop proche de la vie!!

 

The opposite side of the piece tells a little of Dean's own experience with Paris parking:

Wait a minute... are you telling me that it only costs you 65 cents to park a car FOR A WHOLE DAY on the streets of Paris????  I must get out my small violin and play a sad song...  In Seattle, one must drive around for a good length of time to see if street parking is available, and IF you can find a space, it is $8 and there is a limit of 2 hours on most streets.  If you cannot find a space, then you will be forced to turn into a private car parking lot, and depending on the location of the lot, you will pay $40 for 2 hours.  Welcome to privatization and the free market of the USA!!!  Count your blessings, my friend... it could be worse!

Hey... what is that in the center of the card??...

Why, yes... I think I see it... Could it be???

IT  IS!!  The Rue de Courcelles !!!

Thank you for this fun piece, Dean!  Happy driving (and lucky parking karma!)

I often use this parking prayer when trying to find parking in Seattle:

"Parking Fairy, full of Grace,

Help me find a parking space.

Parking Fairy, full of light,

Help me in my parking plight!"

 

(...and don't forget to say 'thank you' to the blessed Parking Fairy after she has found a space for you!!)

[Thom Courcelle]

Book cover mail art made it!  See posted pictures here:

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/photo/dean-marks-book-cover-mail-art-...

and here:

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/photo/dean-marks-book-cover-mail-art-...

 

 

[Dean aka Artist in Seine]

A man must park where a man must park.  No doubt about that.  Thanks for the blog & wow translation.  Did the book cover make it to you?

[Thom Courcelle]

Dean sent me some additional Paris parking advice:

"I check at the entrance where parking spots can be found: I park in a short time. [But!] if I did not check, I go to a full parking lot, and I waste my time..."

He also included fares for the parking lot near my favorite street... the Boulevard de Courcelles, of course!

[Dean aka Artist in Seine]

What a great blog Thom.  I really enjoyed reading it and happy you picked up on all the details.  And here I thought that America was a free country. 

Thanks for posting.

Well I'm sure you get a little more space for your $8 and $40 dollars.

[Carina]

Hilarious!