Paris without tourists

My sister (who lives in the UK) took the train to Edinburgh yesterday and the place looks deserted. I've seen pics of the streets just teeming...

Downtown Washington, DC, and the areas around the major museums are also nearly deserted. I haven't been over to the monuments; I assume there are is some foot traffic there. The Smithsonian Museums are opening up incrementally (timed, free tickets required in most cases), so I expect a gradual uptick in out-of-town and suburban visitors, at least on weekends.

Here in the Land of La ( Los Angeles and surrounding environs) less bumper to bumper traffic is noticeable and soooooooo appreciated. It’s been picking up as more people return to work but dang it was blissful.

One thing I’ve noticed and selfishly wish weren’t the case is the increase of pre dawn hikers in nearby Griffith Park. Pre Covid had the trails to myself. Now it’s Grand Central Station, even during the week. All the quiet ( except the I-5 white noise ) is punctuated by conversions in Korean, SpAnish, English, et al. Few people willing to experience listening to the sounds of nature; birds, coyotes...

Interesting pictures. Paris does look different empty.

Note: The web page downloaded a javascript file that it attempted to install into my browser to run ads on every web page. Not sure if it is this page trying to do something sneeky, or something else.

Thanks Mark for the windows info. I found the link on my iPhone google news list and had no problems.

Places aren’t just quieter because there are no tourists, they are also quiet as people are working from home and socialising less due to Covid restrictions, so there are fewer locals out and about.

In the U.K., I have only been in one shop other than a supermarket in the 6 months since our lockdown started, whereas I would usually go out for coffee or lunch and shopping in town at least once a week. My neighbours are the same - he is a professor at LSE and has been lecturing online, so hasn’t been into London since March. Cities will be quieter as many are avoiding public transport.

For most locals probably heaven on earth.

For most locals probably heaven on earth.

Except those who's livelihood depends on 'passersby'.

I suspect 'some locals', may more accurate than 'most locals'

Very well put, Jennifer.

More restrictions are going to be announced for Paris tonight during the Health Minister’s weekly address, according to press reporting this morning.

Do you think it's only Paris, Kim? We'll be watching (with an apéro in hand,)

Well, they have already had the préfets announce additional measures over the last couple of weeks for Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Lyon. I guess it’s Paris’s time now — frankly I am a bit surprised it’s taken this long. And the “new measures” announced in these other cities weren’t very dramatic, to my eye.

Rumors are that the new national map is going to have “intense red” zones instead of just red. 🙄

Well, here’s what the Health Minister said: they are closing the bars for two weeks in Marseille and Guadeloupe but compensating financially. Sounds fair.
Up in Paris you can’t have over 1,000 people at a large event.
I was worried I’d loose my yoga class down here in the south, but it’s ok. He
said we have to live with the virus ( not much talk around here about vaccines but more about masking, staying safe, and living with the virus.)
Reproductive rate is just over 1, not 3 as it was in the spring, but they want to get control quickly and get it under 1.

It's a bit sad to see Paris so devoid of people, and hopefully things will improve soon. I suspect these scenes are being repeated in other major tourist sites around Europe.

And lots of sniping yesterday and I imagine still today by local authorities furious at the government for imposing the strictions and asking for a 10-day grace period, and that bars and restaurants not be closed in Marseille/Aix etc.