fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
To Us
By: Amy Chen
Tags: Toast, Public Speaking, Employee Engagement, Toastmasters, Citrix

Good afternoon everyone. I am glad to see that everyone is prepared and has a drink in your hand because I will like to propose a toast to us.

Hold on! Don’t drink yet. Let me tell you why we should have to toast to ourselves so we can drink with satisfaction later.

2020 is a very challenging year. The pandemic affects us so deeply that most of us experience several huge changes in our lives. We thought 2021 will be very different. But, unfortunately, it was about the same.

Some of you may find it hard to believe, but honestly speaking, among all the changes that I found hard to deal with, the hardest challenge is Toastmasters.

I still remember the discussion among officers back in March regarding whether we should continue the momentum of running the program, or we should wait until the lockdown is over. Michael and Dave, our previous and current presidents pushed it hard and decided to have online meetings when people were uncertain about what to do.

Thank them both. It turned out that they led us in the right direction and made the right decision at that time because if we chose to postpone, we won’t have any meeting anytime soon until the end of 2021!

When we first switched to an online forum, we lost most of the regular members due to the working from home situation. But the new opportunities also open to us. We reached out to people from a broader scope who are not based in Santa Clara. And thanks to the people who stood up for roles, and the officers who had hung in there like Danielle and Emily, we ended up with more new faces. We have a new vibe, new energy, and new momentum. In fact, I will call it a new-born Toastrix.

Therefore, I would love to thank you and myself. Without you and me, this program will not survive. Our participation, our eagerness to learn, and our self-improvement mindset make this program active. Toastrix will thus have more chances to serve and provide learning opportunities to Citrites in the upcoming 2022.

In the end, I would love to quote Emily, our previous VP for Education and VP for Public Relations. As she always came up with brilliant table topics, she came up with a clever analogy. She said: “Joining Toastmaster is something like going to the gym, before going, you always hate it, but after going, you feel so good about it, because you know you are improving and it’s good for you.” With that in mind, please raise your glass: To our passion, to our persistence, to us! Cheers!
Death or Public Speaking?
By: Fred Del-Pin
Tags: Writing, Medium, Public Speaking, Passive Income, Goals

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.”

-Mark Twain

Asked to rank their fears over different activities, people will almost always place the fear of public speaking above the fear of death.

Think about that.

Most people would LITERALLY prefer death over speaking in public.

Next to speaking in public, I would personally place writing for public consumption.

With thirty years of teaching, I did eventually, sort of, kind of, mostly, controlled my fear of public speaking. With difficulty. I tremble the first time in front of a class. The fear disappears quickly but it’s still there at the start. I am still reluctant to speak at full staff meetings. Faculty level is fine but then you are talking 15 at faculty and 80 at full staff meetings. I have conducted whole school assemblies plus formal assemblies such as graduation.

But the fear at the beginning is always there.

Until this year I have never written for public consumption. I am, of course, excluding Facebook and a couple of letters to the editor of the newspaper.

I am, for your information a Mathematics teacher. Numbers over words. I was never good at writing essays in high school or university.

Reading Medium inspired me to do it. In particular, one individual on Medium and for that I thank her. I have written a couple of pieces, but I have to tell you it still scares me.

The advice is always ‘just write’, ‘Write every day’, Over the long haul I will improve and that is what I believe. So have I been writing everyday? No. Still struggling with my demons. But I will persist. It will happen.

I would like to finish off by saying that the monthly subscription to Medium has been my best expenditure this year. Thank you to every contributor.

Still learning. Keep safe everyone.
Finding the right place to warm up
By: Lisa Hugo
Tags: Public Speaking

A lot of you might live in apartments with thin walls and feel embarrassed about singing and especially practicing those vocal exercises comfortably where others can here you. I know many of you resort to practicing in the car.

Some of you, are regular travelers and need to find a place whilst on the road, where you can still exercise the voice without feeling inhibited…staying in hotels.

When on stage for a performance, this is the part of us that we are happy to show to the world. The finished product. But the preparation to get us ready to be there, where we might make mistakes, we are experimenting, learning, warming up, trying new material…that is commonly the side of singing and public speaking which is not a public affair. We need to find a place where we are comfortable to perform these tasks.

As a singer and speaker, and particularly, someone who is establishing new techniques, it is important to exercise the voice on a daily basis. Your voice coach will hopefully have given you exercises to improve your breathing, strengthen your vocal cords, improve your range, pitch and vocal stamina.

So can you get over the phobia of practising when other people might hear you?

Firstly, I say…don’t be shy to be warming up your voice. It’s part of the preparation and it’s what will make you sound awesome on stage, and in everyday life as well as a speaker. If your a singer or a public speaker and your your good enough to have a gig, anyone hearing your warmups will not be thinking…oMg what an awful singer next door. Quite the opposite. Be bold and do what you have to do. Invite your neighbours to your gigs, rehearsals or to hear your run through your presentation or keynote.

Same when you are in a hotel. Who cares…you will most likely not have to see these guests again.

As for practicing in your car. It’s not a bad idea. Posture is not the best. But if you feel you have more privacy here and will be more effective then, it’s better than nothing at all. I do however recommend that you pull over and practice for the 10–20mins on the side of the road. Singing and vocalisation exercises can take quite a lot of concentration and some people even find the breathing can make them feel dizzy, so driving at the same time is not recommended.
Grandma
By: Amy Chen
Tags: Memoir, Public Speaking, Family, Memories, Toastmasters

I wrote and prepared this speech in the end of 2020. Now, I am posting this in 2021 at the end of the year again. Before getting into the new year, I would like to invite you to share a moment with me to remember the people who forever left us. Several co-workers and friends lost their close family members this year due to COVID. They weren’t able to physically gather together and morn their loss.

I lost my grandma in 2019, 3 months before the COVID outbreak in Asia. I was lucky to see her the last time when she was alive. But like many people this year, I also couldn’t physically be at the funeral and deliver my eulogy because I used up my PTO and had to fly back. Comparing to those who have lost their loved ones this year, I was lucky.

“Ai rin jin ho ho a ta tse.” is the most frequent sentence my grandma told me. The sentence means “Study hard.” in Taiwanese. My grandma didn’t go to middle school. With an elementary school degree, she could understand Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and Japanese. She could do mental math fast. She opened her tailor store. She was also the best tailor in the town. She designed all my mom’s clothes when my mom was a kid.

We have a saying in Mandarin “有種餓叫阿嬤覺得你餓“which means there’s a kind of hunger called “your grandma feels you are hungry.” My grandma was no different from other grandmas. She always felt everyone was hungry and she needed to feed people. And she could make anything into dishes, including something that you probably won’t think edible like frogs, rabbits, or loach. She could cook them well.

She was smart and gifted. She was also a tough woman.

She could use her teeth to open a beer bottle. And I have never seen her cry for physical pains even if she got burnt, cut, or even at the end, the pain from cancer broke her down, I still did not see a teardrop.

But she cried for her loved ones. When she knew her time was coming, and when she saw all of us surrounding her bed and crying, she cried. She did not want to leave us. She loved her kids and grandkids so much that she refused to spend more money on her treatment to save one more penny for her kids to inherit. She never felt what she gave to her kids was enough.

From my grandma, I see how strong a woman can be and how soft a woman can be.

Two years passed, I sometimes still dreamed about her. I miss her. In our belief, reincarnation is always part of it. Therefore, I believe this is not the end between my grandma and me, and I hope one day, grandma and I can be family again.
Public Speaking Tips & Tricks
By: Vaneez Rizwan
Tags: Public Speaking, Workshop Facilitation

Public speaking is literally the art everyone needs these days, I’m working as a trainer & consultant for the past 5 years, so I would love to share some tips & tricks with all of you.

Topic Research:

If you’re a Public speaker or thinking to become a public speaker, you should start researching various topics, research is the main key to starting public speaking, you should research what you have to convey in your session.

Focus:

Always focus on your topic, I’ve seen many public speakers getting confused in the middle of their session they change the topic instantly, don’t do it. Stick to your topic and always have a focus on what you’re conveying to your audience, share stories, put some humor in your session to make it more interesting.

Analyze Your Audience:

Before you start your session, analyze your audience you should know their age, what they are studying, so you could know what they really want to listen so always be aware of your audience.

Connect With The Audience:

Always have eye contact with your audience, that’s the best way to connect with your audience, stop thinking about what they’ll think just connect with your audience in a very humble way.

Conduct a Q&A Session:

Always put Q&A in your session, it’s the best essential to engage with your audience, while listening to your talk sometimes maybe the audience will get mystified, so it’s good if you put a Q&A in your session.

Vocal, Tone & Volume:

I’ve seen some Public speakers, that they speak really fast during the session that the audience get confused about what the speaker is saying, you should have stability in your voice while conducting a session, don’t go so fast don’t go so slow just focus on what you have to say and you’ll win your session.
3rd Arrondissement neighborhood guide — where to live in Paris
By: Uniplaces Team
Tags: Studying, Le Marais, Neighboring, Living, Paris

The 3rd arrondissement — also known as Le Marais — is by excellence the hobo-chic zone of Paris. It’s pretty, peaceful, trendy, and is known as the neighborhood where many artists and celebrities live. If you can afford living in this district, there is no doubt that you will quickly fall in love with it because it has all the qualities of other Parisian arrondissements, without their flaws. It is trendy but not too chic, dynamic but not too chaotic, and full of animation but very safe.

Le Marais: Paris’ gay district

One of the main characteristics of Le Marais is its strong LGBT presence: not only are you more likely to see same-sex couples than in other areas of the city, but you will also notice the various gay-themed shops, cafés and clubs. The funniest example is the bakery called Legay Choc, famous for its penis-shaped baguettes and pastries… But no need to be gay to enjoy the progressive vibes of this trendsetting neighbourhood.

Le Marais and its Jewish community

Le Marais is also known for its important Jewish community — whose presence is obvious around the famous Rue des Rosiers — that gathers many Middle-Eastern and Kosher restaurants and bakeries. Among them, you will notice a couple of take-away spots where tourists and locals wait in line for what is supposed to be the best falafel in the world: a delicious kebab/sandwich that will fill you up, for around €6.

Le Marais, the “Hype” temple

Of course, Paris offers multiples areas for fashion lovers and shopping addicts, but the 3rd arrondissement can be considered as the trendiest one. Its streets are full of hyped designer shops and new-wave fashion brands. The district is also notorious for having the finest vintage and second-hand stores in the city, which makes it the coolest neighborhood of Paris.

Fact sheet: 3rd Arrondissement / Le Marais

One place to study: The famous Centre Pompidou and its huge library, commonly referred to as Beaubourg by Parisians, is only a few meters away from the 3rd arrondissement. If you are less conventional, L’Anticafé is a coffee shop based on a smart and original idea : consumers only pay for the time they spend there. Everything else — coffee, beverages, snacks, cakes, Wi-Fi, printers and more — is for free.

One place to eat: L’As du Falafel, Rue des Rosiers.

One place to relax: The garden of Place des Vosges, where many young people gather with their friends to play guitar or have a beer…and it has free Wi-Fi!
6th Arrondissement neighbourhood guide — where to live in Paris
By: Uniplaces Team
Tags: Studying, Neighboring, Living, Paris

The 6th arrondissement of Paris is one of the most expensive districts to live in, and it’s justified. Not only is it hyper-central, but it also gathers many of the most famous Parisian treasures such as Le Pont des Arts, Notre-Dame and the wonderful Ile-Saint-Louis. It is always full of tourists because it corresponds to the side of Paris that you most see on postcards, which make it the place to live in if you’re willing to get an intense and fancy Parisian experience.

Le Chic Parisien

The 6th arrondissement, located on the Rive Gauche (the luxurious half of Paris), is definitely one of the fanciest of the French capital. Besides all its globally famous monuments, it includes a multitude of luxurious shops and famous cafés, restaurants and pastries. The district’s prestigious reputation is also due to its concentration of world-renowned academic institutions (La Sorbonne, L’Académie Française, L’École des Beaux-Arts, etc.), in addition to being the historical district of the French Intelligentsia, who used to converge in its well-known cultural cafés. The most iconic one is without any doubt Le Flore, where various French intellectual figures such as Jean-Paul Sartre used to gather.

Le 6ème : the most dynamic arrondissement?

If you can afford to rent a flat in the 6th arrondissement, you’d better make sure it has double-glazed windows. This district never sleeps and possesses all the assets of an extremely lively neighbourhood, which makes it very attractive to students. The amazing Jardin du Luxembourg and Le Pont des Arts are two places where you will enjoy chilling with your friends and a bottle of Rosé, unless you prefer to party at night in one of the multiple bars of Saint-Michel.

FACT SHEET : 6ème arrondissement

One place to study : If the weather allows for it, Le Jardin du Luxembourg has some quiet spots with comfortable chairs. If not, you can go to Le Cassette, a cosy restaurant/café where you can have a great French brunch or enjoy original French cuisine

One place to eat : Berthillon, a famous gourmet store on the Ile Saint-Louis that makes the best French ice-creams and sorbets.

One place to chill (extremely useful for students!): Gibert Jeune and Gibert Joseph, a group of great book stores around Saint Michel metro station where they basically sell every book in the world (especially the ones you can’t find anywhere else), and all types of academic tools for every discipline. They also sell second hand versions of most university books, which is a great way to save money during your exchange.
LOUISE BONNET: BATHERS @ MAX HETZLER PARIS 11 SEPTEMBER 2021- 30 OCTOBER 2021
By: Sunday Fall
Tags: Louise Bonnet, Galerie Max Hetzler, New York, Paris, Art

Louise Bonnet, Treasure Hunter 1, Oil on canvas, 2021

Max Hetzler in Paris presents seven paintings by Louise Bonnet. The paintings all are dated 2021. In the press release Bonnet says, “For years, I tried to make acrylic do what oil does. Working in oil was a revelation”. The inspiration and title of the show include references to Peter Paul Rubens, the nude as subject, water, art history, emotions, shame, and embarrassment.

Louise Bonnet, Bather with a cloud, Oil on Canvas, 2021

Louise Bonnet, Pisser, Oil on canvas, 2021

I like the paintings. The color blue makes the paintings moody. In 2021, I learned about patience. Looking at the bodies in the work, I was in Paris for the first time. A pandemic is still in effect. I moved my body from New York and into another city. My body looks good to me. I am vaccinated. I am healthy. Bonnet’s bodies have small heads and strong torsos. The bodies look pink, fleshy and weird. There are no faces. I grabbed at someone else. Together in the present bodies perform so well.

Galerie Max Hetzler

57, Rue du Temple

75004 Paris
Eiffel tower Paris is the one of the iconic places in the world
By: Kunder Chandrashekar
Tags: Digital Nomad Lifestyle, Travel With Shekar, Eiffel Tower, Travellifestyle, Paris

Can you Imagine Paris without the Eiffel tower. If things would have gone as per plan, we would have never been able to see the Eiffel Tower.

The plan was to create Eiffel Tower as part of Paris exhibition and after 20 years remove it. Soon, the designers realized how wonderful it looked in the city and decided to keep it.

The Tower opened to the public the same day as the World’s Fair, on May 15, 1889. IT was the tallest structure for 40 years until. The Eiffel tower has 1710 steps. There was lot of controversy over the tower, but thanks to the creators they went against popular opinions and it was a huge success as 2 million people toured it in the first year itself.

The ground area around the Eiffel Tower is the only section which can be visited for free. You need to pass through security area to access this area. If buying ticket is a challenge then is the best option but if you have travelled so far then a 30 dollar ticket is worth the experience.

The first level is very happening with restaurants, cinema projections. Best part is the transparent floor that offers you a view of ground area where everything looks tiny from top. From the second floor you can see iconic Paris landmarks including Montmartre, The Louvre and River seine. It is extremely popular floor for its views of Paris.

The summit is quite peaceful and less crowded. You can hear wind gushing at the top. It offers the most stunning panoramic views of the city. It is a good idea to spend some alone time here. The maintenance of the tower is done every 7 years and tons of paint is applied to keep the iron from rusting. It involves huge effort to maintain the Eiffel tower. Witnessing Paris in December is a mind blowing experience.

It is easily one of the most decorated city in the world. With lights, Christmas market , it is pure magic. Seeing the lighting in Eiffel tower will melt your heart and it is really touching. I cannot explain it in words, you have experience it. No wonder, with such an atmosphere , there is so much romance around the Eiffel Tower. It is the second most popular place in the world where lovers propose. It is a symbol of love for many couples across the globe. You will witness thousands of marriage proposal under the tower every year.
Autumn 2021 — Art. Chien et Loup
Tags: Kate Cooper, Allison Gallego, Chien Et Loup, Paris, Art

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

Chien et Loup

Allison Gallego

Alison Gallego’s photography piece ‘Chien et Loup’ is a wonderfully atmospheric image, capturing three shadowy figures looking out over the expansive Parisian skyline as the sun is setting. Muted pink clouds paint the sky above and the golden evening glow of the city warms the streets the light has deserted.

This image holds a visual symmetry between the three hooded figures and the striking Eiffel Tower. In the foreground and to the right of the image, we see the three figures dressed in hooded jackets. The figure in the centre is standing, but with two other seated figures, one on either side, all looking over the city. The way they are dressed and posed suggests that they are perhaps young adults, comfortable in their surroundings. Looking out onto their city, they create a form resembling a point, mirroring the glittering Eiffel Tower in the background. The visual symmetry of this and the posing of the youths towering above the city in the foreground, leads us to believe that this visual symmetry is deliberate and even symbolic. The Eiffel Tower has come to be a great symbol of Paris, and France, since its creation, and the youths looking out onto it may be glimpsing to and speculating the future for themselves, and their city.

Either way, Alison has managed to capture a beautiful thought-provoking image. I am so happy we got to include her photography in our Autumn edition.

Kate Cooper, Art Editor
DAVID HAMMONS @ BOURSE DE COMMERCE/PINAULT COLLECTION PARIS 19 MAY 2021- 1 JULY 2022
By: Sunday Fall
Tags: Bourse De Commerce, Francois Pinault, Paris, Art, David Hammons

David Hammons, Untitled, 2000

Francios Pinault is a wealthy French billionaire and collector of artists like Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Marlene Dumas, and Rudolf Stingel. He had to wait twenty years to open the Pinault collection to the French public.

The Bourse de commerce is an old building that was used to trade commodities like grain. The building was also used as a stock exchange and address to the Paris chamber of commerce. Pinault transformed the building into a museum to show contemporary art in 2016 after the building was offered by the mayor of Paris. The Pinault collection, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic finally opened to the public in May 2021 with a retrospective of works by American Artist David Hammons. On view are installations, prints, and assemblages curated by Pinault.

David Hammons, Untitled, 2010

David Hammons, One Stone Head, 1997

David Hammons, High Level Of Cats, 1998

I happened to be in Paris at the right moment. I only caught the show an hour before the place closed. It was exciting to see the work. A Black American artist in Paris. Art institutions and museums in The United States could never put together a show like this. US Museums still fail at showing Black artists. All the public see is dead white men. I’m not against billionaires. It’s their money. I do expect them to do cool shit or try and save the planet.

The show was poetic. Everything was beautiful. I wish I had spent more time. I’m interested in Hammons because as an artist I want to make things that are pure, but also relate to my life as a Black American. I want to avoid ideology. Sometimes I just want to refrain from taking positions.

BOURSE DE COMMERCE / PINAULT COLLECTION

2, RUE DE VIARMES

75001 PARIS
11th Arrondissement neighborhood guide — where to live in Paris
By: Uniplaces Team
Tags: Studying, Neighboring, Living, Paris

The 11th arrondissement is the perfect district if you want to get a real insight of a proper Parisian lifestyle.

This arrondissement in itself could be divided into several districts: from one street to another, you find yourself in a wealthy area or in a very modest zone with a strong ethnic minority presence (such as Ménilmontant and Belleville, where Chinese, Arabic and African communities coexists). Some corners of the 11th have a bad reputation in terms of safety, but the district is being taken over by hipsters and wealthier social classes at a high pace, which makes it one of the most dynamic and innovative areas of Paris.

La Bastille

La Bastille is the 11th arrondissement’s most famous area. This crucial square to French history is nowadays known for its multiple bars and restaurants, and more generally for being one of the coolest districts to hang out with some friends at the weekend and at night. Many big Parisian events take place here: from popular protests to shows and concerts.

The ideal district for students

The 11th arrondissement is perfect for students, for various reasons. Firstly, the rental prices are reasonable compared to most other arrondissements, but it remains a safe zone. Second, it is a very practical area in terms of transportation. République is one of the biggest Parisian metro station as it serves 5 different lines, in addition to being a great spot to hang out. It has recently been fully renovated to make it a leisure-oriented place with limited car access. More generally, the whole 11th is full of trendy bars and small alternative clubs, especially in the very hype district of Oberkampf.

FACT SHEET : 11ème arrondissement

One place to visit: Le cimetière du Père Lachaise, the largest Parisian cemetery — where several legends such as Molière, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison are buried.

One place to study: the Bibliothèque Parmentier, a calm municipal library. Or if you prefer to work in a café, Le Comptoir Parmentier, a nice French brasserie with a cosy terrace. They are only a few metres away from each other.

One place to drink: Rue de Lappe, a small pedestrian street near Bastille that is full of bars and where things often get a bit crazy after midnight.

One place to party (hard): Le Nouveau Casino, a top-rated indie/urban club located on Rue Oberkampf, the most dynamic area for a night out in the 11th.
Automate avant-garde — 3 autonomous stores from Paris
By: Space, Lemon Innovations
Tags: Innovation, Technology, Paris, Autonomous Store, News

3 innovation and digital news in 1 minute. Every Monday. Episode 275

News 1. Pizza but made by a robot

Pazzi is an autonomous pizzeria in Paris with another location in Serris in the East of Paris. They call themselves the world’s first autonomous restaurant. Customers order on a self order terminal which allows them to customise the exact toppings of the pizza. The robot arms then prepare the dough, add the sauce and toppings, put the pizza in the oven and cut it in front of your eyes. If you also ordered a drink you’ll get that from a vending machine. Opinion: Pazzi is an excitable example of how a human task can be automated. There is a large team behind it, so we expect to see more of these restaurants in the near future.

A not even that simple task is automated by a robot arm, fun to watch Pazzi make Pizza!

News 2.Click & Collect but cool

Delipop launched a pick up location for groceries in cooperation with Carrefour in October. To use its service, customers have to order groceries in Carrefour Drive and set the Delipop store as the pick up location. Customers can pick up their orders the same day if ordered in the morning or next day if ordered later during the day. Customers get an access code to enter the colourful Delipop pick-up store. Opinion: Delipop aggregates orders and thus operates at significant lower cost compared to ultra-fast deliveries. At the same time the fresh and modern designed pick-up stores can keep up with the coolness-factor of Gorillas.

A hip and cool pick-up store for groceries, we hope to see more of these around Europe’s neighbourhoods.

News 3. “Almost Just Walk Out” but more practical

Carrefour launched their new, first of its kind, autonomous store “Carrefour Flash 10/10” in Paris at the end of November. Utilising cameras and scales the store tracks the products taken and customers just have to pay — no scanning needed. Opinion: Compared to “Just Walk Out” technology, customers still have to pay manually. However they don’t need to download an app and register before before shopping. This makes this store more practical to use for a larger audience.

Convenient, no download of an app required.
Let’s climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower
Tags: Eiffel Tower Launch, Eiffel, Eiffel Tower, Eiffel Tower Stairs, Paris

One of the most iconic landmarks in France. Some interesting facts about this La Dame de Fer (The Iron Lady)

The Eiffel Tower was designed and built for Paris World Exposition 1889, to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Over 100 architects presented their designs, but it was design & plan of the Gustave Eiffel’s company that was chosen.

The original height was 985 feet/ 300 meters, it was the tallest structure in the world until 1930. It was surpassed by Chrysler Building in New York. Several years after the completion, it was equipped with aerials for radio & television broadcast, which added another 24 meters to its height.

A 300 member-committee consisting of artists, writers and intellectuals protested the construction. They signed a petition and called the tower “useless and monstrous”, but their protests fell on deaf ears. The tower was an instant hit as nearly 2 million people visited the tower during the fair.

It was supposed to stand for only 20 years, was scheduled to be dismantled in 1909. Someone realized that its apex was the perfect place for a telegraphy antenna. During the WWI, the wireless telegraph transmitter helped to jam German communication.

The tower was closed during German occupation from 1940 to 1944.The French resistance fighters destroyed the cables for the tower’s lifts so that Nazis had to climb the stairs as they attempted to attach the ‘Swastika’ at the top. Hitler actually ordered the Governor of Paris to destroy the tower, fortunately his order was not carried out. Incidentally Hitler was born on the same year when the tower was inaugurated: 1889

The gastronomical restaurant on the 2nd floor is named after the author: Jules Verne. There are restaurants on ground floor and 1st floor, bar on the 2nd floor and a post office on the 1st floor. There is even a military bunker underneath the tower.

Gustave Eiffel ordered the list of 72 great French scientists & engineers to be engraved on the bottom of the first floor, each of whom contributed to the construction. Gustave kept a small apartment on the 3rd floor and housed a meteorology lab where he performed studies in physics and aerodynamics. Cosmic rays were discovered here.

French Car manufacturer Citroen used the tower as the giant billboard from 1925–34. It was recorded as the world’s biggest advertisement by the Guinness Book of Records.

The tower is painted every 7 years and requires 60 tons of paint. Color of the tower has changed over the years: it was reddish brown when it was first constructed. Today it is painted by a special color called ‘Eiffel Tower Brown’ which give its brilliant bronze color.

There are 1665 steps, 18,000 metallic parts joined together by 2.5 million rivets and 20,000 bulbs to make It sparkle every night. During winter the tower shrinks by about 6 inches.

Believe it or Not, the Eiffel Tower was originally intended to be built in Barcelona. The Spanish thought the tower would be an ‘eyesore’, rejected Gustave Eiffel’s plans.
SYNTHESIT at Natexpo 2021,
Tags: Natexpo, Exhibition, Paris, Synthesit

24–26 October at Paris Nord Villepinte!

Natexpo 2021 — the international trade show for organic products, is the event that is shaping the future of organic, organized by and for all the stakeholders in the organic market. For nearly 30 years, it has been a major event for all market players bringing together producers, manufacturers, processors, distributors and specialists in the sector at national and international level.

10 special areas are dedicated to training and specific contents. Discover the latest organic trends throughout more than100 conferences, workshops and demonstrations. Anticipate the development of the organic market by taking part in the Natexbio Forum and the Organic Trends Forum. Strengthen your skills on the Dietary Supplements Forum, the Organic Ingredients Forum and the Cosmetic Innovations Forum. Get up to date with the latest organic news on the Agora. Learn more about the company of tomorrow at the Innovation Forum. Attend Lab exhibitors pitches and discover their zero-waste and circular economy solutions.Natexpo 2021 is an International trade show for organic products.

Synthesit, as an iron preparation, which has no analogues both in bioavailability and in the number of healing properties, is certainly the №1 product for vegetarians. Synthesit not only compensates for iron deficiency, but is also an unsurpassed assistant for the restoration of all functional systems of the body.

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Check out the link to learn more about Synthesit:

Made in Russia: www.synthesit.ru/en

Made in Switzerland: www.synthesit.ch
President Buhari Arrives Paris for Official Visit, Peace Forum
By: Government Of Nigeria
Tags: Commerce, Economy, Peace, Paris, Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday afternoon arrived in Paris, French capital, for a one-day official visit as guest of President Emmanuel Macron at Palais de l’Élysée, and will afterwards attend the three-day Paris Peace Forum (PPF), November 11–13, 2021.

The President’s plane touched down at Le Bourget Airport at 2.45pm.

During the official visit on Wednesday, President Buhari will meet with his French counterpart to discuss issues of mutual interest for both countries, particularly on strengthening economic ties, improving partnership on security, and working jointly on education, health and halting the threats of COVID-19 to the global economy.

From Thursday, President Buhari will join world leaders, heads of international organisations, leaders of civil society and the private sector at Grande Halle de La Villette to strategize on better governance for a world of peace, with plenaries, master classes and workshops.

The President is scheduled to make a remark at the event to share the peculiarity of the Nigerian experience with the world, and efforts undertaken so far for peace. Other speakers include President Macron, Vice President Kamala Harris of United States, and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

This year, the leaders will review 80 projects designed to improve peace across the globe and ensure more harmonious living like reforming capitalism for more impact on global economy, responding to the urgency of climate change, fake news and the challenge it poses on journalism and cyber security.

The first edition of the Paris Peace Forum took place from November 11 -13, 2018, as part of the Armistice Day centenary commemorations, and was attended by over 110 foreign delegates, including 54 heads of state and government, showcasing 120 global governance projects and welcomed 6000 individuals over the three days.

Among the attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined President Macron in each making an opening remark at the beginning of the Forum.

Femi Adesina
Shed the baggage with these amazing service providers!
Tags: Luggage Storage, Travel, Luggage, Paris

There are numerous elements on the to-do list while on a trip. The most crucial, among all, is packing the bags and managing luggage.

However, it should be emphasized that storing and handling your luggage should not take up so much of your time that you end up with spoilers rather than an enjoyable vacation.

Well, you will have a lot less worry while planning a vacation to Paris or the surrounding area. Besides, the luggage storage Paris facilities come with a lot of ease and comfort for you! Numerous storage providers can adequately handle your luggage so that you have the finest trip.

There’s always something great about traveling without luggage. There are no worries about misplaced bags, long lines for baggage claims, or hefty baggage fees.

Why look for luggage storage facilities?

People frequently use the cloakrooms at railway stations and airports to keep their luggage. However, a few customers had a bad experience with the cloakroom at the station because it is typically not permitted to retain baggage without locks. Furthermore, many individuals find the cloakroom to be disorderly. Overall, keeping luggage in such locations is a significant pain.

You will never want to go for extra trouble, no matter how long the trip is. Because we naturally feel more tired while we are away from you on a trip.

So, if you’re in Paris, luggage storage Paris is a great spot to store your belongings while having fun.

Passengers find it more comfortable to keep their possessions in the safest possible manner with these services.

Such services are gaining attraction and appeal not only in Paris but across the world. It becomes simple for both business owners and passengers to handle their benefits.

So probably, whether you are planning a trip to Paris or the U.S., you will indeed have a place to string your goods.

Why do luggage storage facilities make the best option among trip essentials?

It is not only a cost-effective and accessible alternative but puts you on a relaxing vacay too.

People may spend a day traveling about the city without needing to stay at a hotel.

One can also save money that would otherwise be spent on public transportation. If the train is delayed, passengers on connecting trains may explore the city and soak in the atmosphere without having to haul their heavy luggage about with them.

Having a luggage storage Paris facility booked is the best thing that can come along with your trip. Hopefully, you have a gala time in Paris!
Stuck Together (2021)
By: Venkatarangan Thirumalai
Tags: Pandemic Lockdown, Community, French, Comedy, Paris

Raw

Stuck Together (8 Rue de l’Humanité) is a French comedy about the early weeks of the pandemic when France was under a strict lockdown. The story revolves around the families living in an apartment building in Paris, trying to remain calm, bond-together to get over the fear and stress caused by the onslaught of COVID-19. There is no story, the screenplay covers the interpersonal dynamics between the residents and how they resolve them. There were moments that were relatable and enjoyable, but at two hours, the film loses our attention quickly and becomes boring. It gets a ‘Raw’ rating in the mangoidiots scale and is available on Netflix.

Tony, a Belgian, is the owner of the building living with his teenage daughter and his young son is arrogant and treats his tenants with contempt. There are three families, two shopkeepers and one caretaker living in the compound. Martin, a reporter lives with his wife and their young daughter is one of them. Martin is paranoid, wears masks and sprays disinfectant all the time, providing the humour background for the film. His wife, Claire, is a lawyer and a practical woman who struggles with calming down Martin. The two kids — the girl of Martin and the boy of Tony are being typical kids. The other family in the compound is a young couple, a fitness instructor, and his pregnant wife. The third is an African French lady who remains mysterious. On the ground floor is a pathology lab run by an eccentric researcher — he is their local health expert and is in the process of discovering a vaccine. Next to the lab is an eatery-and-bar run by an old lady, which was shut due to the lockdown.

I wish the film covered a slightly wider canvas and was shorter in length. The pandemic has been a long road of suffering, pain and human triumph, there are so many stories to be told about it and I wish Indian filmmakers too start telling more of them.
GO
By: Amy Von Blickhahn
Tags: Travel, Independence, Paris, Current Events

Photo by author.

You hadn’t planned to go alone to Paris. Through some unforeseen circumstances, you came into some money, enough for two but your friends and sometime boyfriend were not interested in going. You hesitated. You wanted to go but the Yellow Jackets were rioting every Saturday and you were worried that the trip wouldn’t be as enjoyable by yourself. You feared being alone. All alone.

But your friend, Marie, said, “Go.” Go to Paris. Be your own woman. You don’t need another person. You definitely don’t need the sometime boyfriend. The sometime boyfriend who tried to talk you out of it.

“No,” Marie said. “If you don’t go now you’ll never go. They always riot in Paris. Go.”

So you go.

It was you who saw the oldest building left standing in all of Paris at 51 and 52 Rue Montmorency. You who walked through Notre Dame six days before it burned. You who walked down the old cobblestone streets to sample the wine, and cheese and the bread. It was you who went to a reading at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop, and you who carried so many books that you left useless items behind in order to make room in your suitcase for new treasures.

You spoke your broken French. You marveled at the kindness of strangers and the rudeness of one shopkeeper. You joked with your tour guide of how you mispronounced a word turning it from a world leader’s name into a wicked profanity.

You, yes you, received directions in French to the Père-Lachaise Cemetery and understood them well enough to get there on your own. You stood next to Oscar Wilde’s grave and decided against kissing it as so many have done because you thought to yourself that you didn’t want to get an STD posthumously, even from Oscar Wilde. You stood under the Arc de Triomphe at night and you marveled as the Eiffel Tower glowed in the distance.

It was you who drank the best wine with your boeuf et frites and it was you who stifled a laugh when you asked for mineral water and the confused waiter asked, “You mean you want the water with the gas?”

When you walked around the Seine River and gathered gifts from the street vendors, it was you who finally realized how lucky it is to be in Paris. Even alone. Especially alone.

And now over a year later, when there is a pandemic and when California burns more intensely than Notre Dame ever did and Americans have become ruder to each other than any young French shopkeeper could be, you go. You go on to work. You go virtually to school. You go and stand six feet away from your friends. Somedays you go home and cry because really, it’s the whole world that is burning. But still you go because the scared young woman went 4,200 miles east by herself and went there because she could go.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
By: Tjorven Denorme
Tags: Perspective, Comparison, Paris

When I write this I have 8 days of the 31 left in Paris. When talking to people they remind me that the end is near, that it’s almost over. I admit, in my head I do the same. What do I still want to do now that November 19th is approaching. Approaching fast.

I’m so stupid to do that. If I offer every one of you an 8 day trip to Paris you will all be extremely happy. Ok, most. But you get my point. 8 days out of 31 is the last third. But if I look at this as a 8 day trip to Paris it looks totally different. Same number of days. Same city.

A few years back I read the subtle art of not giving a fuck. The book has since moved from person to person around me. Currently my daughter is reading the book. I’m not going to spoil it, if you haven’t read it, but it’s about perspective.

We put way to many things in a wrong perspective. We compare them to bigger, brighter, taller, longer things. That way we don’t see how fantastic our current situation is.

As I do every week I work from different locations in Paris. This week I worked one day from La Défense. The glass and concrete part of Paris. One big shiny skyscraper next to the other. On my way there on Metro line 1 you have a Franklin D. Roosevelt station. I had to think about a quote of him :

“Comparison is the thief of joy!”

Easy for me to feel joy, I hear you think. You are in Paris. We are at home. True, I realize how privileged I am. Even if you are not currently living in Paris try to think of that one sentence once and a while. No matter how good your life is, there are always people who have it better.

Last week my wife and I walked past the place where hipsters and insta-loving tourists flock to. Café De Flore and Les deux Magots. Been there, done that, took the pictures and yes, me too, I posted them on my social media channels. It’s a fantastic place to see and be seen. When my wife and I walked past this time a big Mercedes stops in front of us. The driver gets out and opens the door for a couple, that gets out, skips the line outside of Les Deux Magots and just walks in. The man says to the driver : “ I’ll call you when we are done.”. Driver closes the doors behind them and drives of.

Mona Edulesco Painting

Two streets further we see that same Mercedes waiting. The driver is outside cleaning the already shiny black car. If I compare my wife and I walking around, biking around or taking the metro to move around the city with that couple, I could forget that I am in Paris. Enjoying life and love. That said I’m sure that there is a couple with a bigger Mercedes and a bigger Hermes handbag that even outdoes the duo we just saw.

Don’t. Just don’t. Count your blessing. See what you have. Don’t compare. So to everybody who says to me that the end is near (I’m also talking to myself here). I say : “ I have 8 days in Paris in front of me. Eight! Days! “. Nobody can be the thief of my joy, not even me. Especially me.

A la prochaine.
Six Million Skulls / Paris Catacombs
By: Bora Özer
Tags: Catacombs, Paris, Paris Catacombs

One of the scariest places in the world.

It is estimated that the bones of more than 6 million people are in the catacombs. As such, the Paris Catacombs, also known as the Catacombs, are considered the largest underground cemetery in the world.

The Paris Catacombs have a tunnel network of 250 kilometers. Only 2 kilometers of these tombs are open to visitors. Visitors go down 20 meters to enter the tunnel and can tour an area of ​​2 kilometers.

When visiting the catacombs, at the sign above ‘Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort’ (“Stop! This is the Empire of Death”) you can see the text.

Photo by Liam McGarry on Unsplash

The Catacombs were an irregular storehouse of bones in their early years, but from 1810 Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, director of the Paris Mines Inspection Service, commissioned renovations that would turn the caves into a visitable mausoleum. In addition to directing the stacking of skulls and femurs in patterns seen in catacombs, he used the cemetery decorations he could find today.

Because the catacombs are directly under the streets of Paris, large foundations cannot be built on top of them, and caves have destroyed buildings. Therefore, there are few tall buildings in this area.