It seems as though every big city has its oddballs, eccentrics, and street performers. And so, it was true today in Paris on Rue de Rosiers in the Jewish Quarter of The Marais District. The fact that today is the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, seemed to make little difference to those who put on a show for the rest of us. In the accompanying photo, there is an old man who rides down Rue de Rosiers on a strange contraption built around a large tricycle, stopping often to chat with anybody who takes an interest in him.

Then, there was a band of musicians, probably about 8 or 10 of them, playing some good music, with one little straw basket on the ground in front of them. Like most street performers, they hope we will drop a few coins in their basket, but we've never seen so many people who will all have to share whatever lands in the little basket. Earlier in the day, at the outdoor market in The Bastille, we saw a man who balances a bowl of goldfish on his head, for what seems like hours, while he walks, dances, sits, reclines, and even juggles. You can see a couple of photos by clicking on "Photos" above.

Happy New Year,

Renee & Steve