Paris, by night

Or so would be the rough translation of the latest NY Times article on Paris: Paris, la nuit (ok, so we all know a bit of French, maybe). Elaine Sciolino (the chief of the Paris bureau of The Times) romantically explains why one should bother forgetting about jetlag and just go out and about the streets of Paris. (She is of course talking about the much safer centre-ville, and not about the incendiary banlieues). The reason is simple: "Inhibitions evaporate." Au revoir, New World puritanism. Bonjour (or rather, bonsoir) passionate (public) embraces. All poetic licenses and metaphors aside, she does make an excellent point: given the size, density, and popularity of Paris, it only makes sense to see the City of Lights by night.

Other interesting references in this article: movies. Elaine mentions Something’s Gotta Give, Everyone Says I Love You, and then proceeds to explain exactly how expensive and how elaborate the art of turning on the lights in Paris truly is. (no mention however of two not-so-glamourous movies La Haine and Banlieue-13, both dealing with the violence in the suburbs - and no mention is needed, as tourists probably have no business to conduct in those neighborhoods).

For more details, read the article here.

To embark upon an affordable vacation to Paris, go here and you could pay $509 for air + 5 nights this Thanksgiving, $555 for Christmas, $589 for New Year's. (air taxes not included, and of course do not expect 5 star hotels for these deals).