Be Not Inhospitable To Strangers
Lest They Be Angels In Disguise
[Yeats]
These are the words that welcome visitors to the Shakespeare & Co bookstore located on Rue de la Bûcherie, Paris. Of course the trillions of books lining the walls will welcome you as well, but I think the loveliest welcome is the sweet zinc table and assorted chairs out the front. Somewhere quiet to sit and read, reflect on life, or just rest one's weary feet after a day's sightseeing in Paris.
Sadly the owner of the store George Whitman, died just last month but his legacy will live on and the bookstore known to many via the film Julie & Julia, will continue to enthrall the hoards of tourists who make their pilgrimage to Paris.
Now I do not know these people who happened to pop into my camera's lens.. Usually I avoid posting people shots due to privacy.. But I think they aptly reflect the clientele .. Well according to my imagination they do.. The elderly gent who enjoys the buzzing atmosphere of the young and young at heart, and the tourists.. weary but happy from their day's adventure, keenly plan their next foray.
All Are Welcome Here
Strangers & Angels Alike
Speaking of Angels.. Thanks everyone for the well wishes and support in my request to the universe.. She is a bit slow to respond this week.. but I'm sure she's busy creating options as we speak ..
Happy Weekend Everyone
It is just around the corner
IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:
ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]
Location: Shakespeare & Co Store Front: Paris, France [August 2011]
33 comments:
Love these snapshots...interesting details and colors. They do surely capture the essence of Paris. Love the quote! :)
Beautiful images, Julie. Love anything Shakespeare. We have one of the most beautiful Shakespeare properties in the US. Such a wonderful place to go to reflect. I love the image of the gentleman sitting in front of the store. Classic.
Hope that all is well with you, my friend.
Teresa
xoxo
Beautiful photos of a very special place. I heard that George Whitman had died. He will be sadly missed here, but welcomed by many Angels.
I hope the Universe is very kind to you this weekend, Julie! xxx Sharon
I love seeing people in these shots. I met George. Quite a character (as you know)...
xoxo/Susan
We enjoyed a trip to Paris last September. Such a beautiful city in which to just walk and walk and walk. Gorgeous images. Have a fabulous Friday! Tammy
Hi Julie......i always see your post but never comment...i will try to do this from now.....sorry....i follow too many blogs......blogging is so fun !!...have a nice day....love Ria....xxx..
I forget.......beautiful shop !!!...nice post !!!...xxx..
I WISH I could just simple take photos like this. 'Nuff said!
WOOWOOWOWWWWWWWWWWWW these are fabulous! Anita
Beautiful post, lovely soft images... such bookstores are an intricate part of french life. Her in the Us, bookstores are closing, I treasure my time spent in Paris browsing through my favorite bookstores.
Thanks to your photos, I miss Paris..My all trips were business related and never had time to enjoy like this..
That's got to be the quaintest, most romantic of all bookstores. I love how you captured it.
Happy weekend to you, my friend. Hope it is a relaxing one.
These are beautiful images and they are certainly what I think of when I think Paris, sitting somewhere and observing, thinking, reminiscing about whatever. :) That is too bad about the owner but so good that they will care for and continue his dreams.
I hope the universe is good to you dear, I will send up a little message for you to help edge her along. :)
xoxo
One of my favorite spots in Paris, and I was so sad to hear that George Whitman passed away. Your photographs capture all that I love about this amazing book store - one that the Amazon.coms of the world could never hold a candle to.
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
These are lovely images. My cousin is in Paris right now, and between her and your images, I am pretty jealous right now. Thanks for this gorgeous glimpse through your lens
you captured the essence the this charming little shop. think of george and his sheer delight in meeting shakespeare, hugo, emerson........
xoxo
debra
ps; have been traveling and may have missed something.....seeking a new home near where you live now or is the whole of the universe yours?
These pictures make an adorable and happy bookstore story. "Lest they be angels..." lovely thought
Julie these are amazing shots. You should show folks more often. I don't think they even knew you took them which is the best. I hate staged photos of people.
I'm glad to hear the shop will carry on at it always has...I'm sure the owner would be happy and that you shared his establishment with all of us.
Let me know if I can pin these?
hugs
Carole
Julie do you know that your pictures have the power to transport us right into the center of them? They do!!!
This post is so wonderful I can smell the old books all the way over here! What a quaint little bookstore.
sending hugs...
Love your travels.
That was a cute move Julie & julia.
Speaking of Wm YEATS. My cousin's mother is buryed next to Yeats
the Irish Poet. In Sligo Ireland.
I saw his grave.
Have a wonderful week.
yvonne
cute cute post !! two times to paris and i have not seen this one . haha
maybe next time.
~laura xx
Great images and post.
Warm wishes.
Beautiful photographs! You captured the feeling (at least what I think it would feel like) perfectly. Don't worry, your angels will help, just forget about it. That's what happens to me every time. Not until you put it out of your mind does the answer come. Take care! Jenniferxx
I love your images!....smiles
A very fitting hommage to Shakespeare & Co. I like the "rough around the edges" feeling you've bestowed upon the images.
Lovely snapshots. If I ever visit Paris again I definitely want to check out Shakespeare and Co. I think it's my type of place.
Hello Julie
I love these images and hopefully the bookstore will survive.
Thanks for sharing
Helenxx
You know the photos are great when they make you want to be in them...these do, I'd love to be there!
You've caught the feel of the shop absolutely beautifully. That couple look so glamorous yet so normal. You have a real eye for capturing people in an image.
And you've made me want to get onto the next plane to Paris!!
Sarahx
love these images....
they feel like movie out-takes.
and that's a good thing!!
xx
its my favorite bookshop in the world. simple
I love this bookshop. Every time I am in Paris I visit for an afternoon daydreaming. Sorry to hear the owner died, but am glad his lovely bookshop and legacy will live on.
oh julie, you made it to paris, how wonderful! it's funny that you should mention this shop. i grew up near princeton, new jersey where the original owner of this shop came from, sylvia beach. i don't know if you can access irish telly from oz but this documentary was done on sylvia and the bookshop. http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1129703 a most interesting woman in extraordinary times. someday, i'll tell you my hemingway story. ;) lizzy xo
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