A little while ago shouting could be heard and a crazed looking bearded man appeared at the top of the steps of Les Halles. He then disappeared from view, but the shouting went on for a few moments longer. He had lost his dog, I think, though I couldn't make out exactly what the dog's name was. Earlier, a tiny dog on spidery legs went to the bathroom next to the base of the same steps and then wandered off down the street. I don't know if it was the dog in question or not, but it seemed too tiny and insignificant a dog to be generating all that anguish. ![]() A bit up the steps are some white sculptures of thick, squat people. One of them is skating very determinedly, though he's not getting anywhere. A white plastered family stands nearby: mother, father, dog, and an uncle (?) supporting a thick little boy who is leaning back too far as he points up the steps. All helplessly frozen while people come by and get their picture taken with them. A real little girl gives the sculpted skater a kiss and then tugs on his hand, but his wheels seem to be stuck to the ground. ![]() I'm sitting outside with fifty empty tables all around me, all with small round marbled pink tops and brass rims. I was given a little glass of water with my espresso and a white tube of powdered sugar imprinted with the name of the café and its logo: a smiling, eyeless half-head holding a glass. My coffee cup, too, is imprinted the same way. The umbrellas for the tables that aren't covered by the awning are white-topped with maroon flaps that alternate between saying the name of the café and the name of the café's umbrella sponsor, "Coca-Cola." |
![]() 16 rue Pierre Lescot Metro: Les Halles Phone: 01.45.08.00.34 Price of an expresso: 2.40 euros Sugar: tube of powdered sugar Bonus: glass of water Copyright © 2003 David Sadegh. Please send your questions or comments to: david@undergroundparis.com |