Progress report from Paris

I have been hear now one week. Everything has been great and I have seen lots of interesting art, architecture and other tourist attractions. I went to the Eiffel tower on the first day. Lines to ticket booths were long and I didn't have patience to wait in line so I just looked at the tower and took some photos of it.

Striking phenomena was that there was a wave of beggars in the area. I got at least seven beggars asking if I speak English. When I admited speaking english they would hand me a piece of paper where was written a short text about them being from Serbia and that they don't have any money. They were sad looking in their dirty worn out clothes. I gave to the first one 2 euros, but when the other ones came asking then I just shook my head as if I didn't understand English. That worked pretty well. Later on I saw some beggars on the streets and they were located close to each other - in a group of 4 - 6 persons. Perhaps that gives them security - or could it be that they are just well organized. I don't know about welfare system in France, but these people don't seem to be involved in it - are they illegal imigrants or what's the story with all the beggars?

I remember hearing about homeless problem in Paris which was solved by giving all the homeless people a free tent. Apparently there wasn't enough over-night lodgings so the tent gave a little bit shelter against the chilly winter nights. Soon after that banks of Seine were populated by the hundreds of tents. This didn't do good for the image of Paris. Today I don't see any tents at the banks of Seine - I saw couple of tents back at the Pompidou center, but there they were tought as a part of the exhibition - seen through the gallery windows. They were a caustic comment on an ailing society.

I have made some sketches for couple of paintings. Other one is called: "W.S. Rolleness". I started it yesterday - it's a small one - only 33cm x 24cm in size. I am painting on a small canvases which are attached to cardboard for better durability. It's because that way they are easier to transport back to Finland. This new painting will illustrate an old man who has sailed on a boat called "W.S. Rolleness" or his name is W.S. Rolleness - I am only sure about the name of the painting.

Update on Sun, December 26, 2010 at 21:10 by JT Mokko

This painting is nowadays called "A.K. Kraime" - not "W.S. Rolleness". The meaning of the name is mystery.