The Left Bank has become a rather expensive tourist trap nowadays so we are eating and drinking the afternoon away in a darkly lit bistro on La Rive Droite, The Right Bank. The cassoulet contains mutton, pork skin, and white beans. We are pouring a table wine from a country estate in St. Emilion when a short little man, with a rat-like visage similar in look to Roman Polanski sidles up to our table. He knows we are foreign by the way we are dressed and, probably, by the loudness of our party. We are, unashamedly, ugly Americans! Loud, rude, obnoxious. I am prone to blaming it on the wine consumed at such an early hour. Not quite 3 in the afternoon. He wants to show us Le Sacre Couer Basilica, Les Palais de Tuileries. He is offering his services as our own private tour guide when we explain we have not yet even seen La Tour Eiffel, l’Arc de Triomphe. He is aghast. Offers to show us both at the same time. A little known spot not too far from our present location very few know about. Only the cognoscenti are aware of this secret spot. He scurries out, confident he has piqued our interest and will follow. He has and we do.
And there they are. Both the Eiffel Tower and the Arch of Triumph. On opposite sides of the Seine. Captured in one photo on one magical Tuesday afternoon.
Please visit Photos By Emilio for more of my work, mostly in color.
And my apologies to anyone duped by such an outlandish tale as this photo was taken just outside the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas NV just last week.
But I had fun writing it! 🙂
Monochromia 
Okay, Emilio, the one trait I most wish I had is the ability to make people laugh, even more so after reading your great post. I have been to Paris (lucky me – I so want to return) and I have to admit I did try and figure out how your shot could have been possible, so you got me! Good for you 🙂 All that aside, though , love the photo, not only because of the memories it stirs of my time in the City of Light, but because it’s just a great photo. Love the point of view, especially! Keep up the hijinks – clearly, we all enjoy it!
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So I’m not just a pretty face?
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I became suspicious as soon as I read about drinking wine from the country estate in St Emilion . . . . . and you are right, great fun and well put together! Who needs to go to Paris when you can go to Vegas!
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Wait, what about the St. Emilion gave it away?
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In vino veritas!
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Cute! Just so you know, I love St. Emilion wine and if I can only get it in St. Emilion when I’m visiting France, then that’s where I’ll be!
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Raising my glass to you, cheers Emilio!
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Patti, where do you live? It’s a bit early here to be raising my glass. I can raise my coffee cup, though!
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The optimist that I am is raising a glass half full of water which in due time will turn into wine, or cold sparkling Lagunitas! Enjoy your coffee Emilio, coffee is good!
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What? You can turn water into wine? I’ve only heard of one other person who could do that. And things didn’t turn out too good for him.
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You’re right,things didn’t turn out well did they . ..I need the help of a bottle opener, either that or the turn of the wrist.
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It’s a talent! 🙂 I might do something like this more often, jut let my mind wander and write something slightly off the wall for my photos. Not all of them. Sometimes I’ll be serious!
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You are a clever devil!! I’ve been to Paris – twice- and I actually sat here for several minutes trying to figure out how on earth that picture could have been taken. Well done – you had me fooled big time!!
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Such a great story Emilio! 🙂 The photo is really great also! Paris is definitely worth visiting but indeed, like Mike said it would be impossible to get Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower in the same frame like this there. 🙂
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I didn’t expect to fool anybody, really. But it sure was fun!
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Reblogged this on Amazing Fine Art.
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You can not reblog this to Amazing Fine Art. It is not amazing. It’s not fine. And some might even argue it’s art. Other than that, you can do with it what you will. And thank you. I really am appreciative of the reblog!
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Love, love, love the story! We need humor 🙂
I’ve never been to Paris OR Vegas … someday for sure.
For now, I appreciate the virtual trip. Awesome photo!
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Well, it was so much fun writing that I think I might try more little stories to go with some of my photos.
You could ride all the way to Las Vegas. But for Paris you might need a boat or plane!
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Thank you, Vivien. Merci. I hope I did not anger you with my little fantasy story! It was all in fun!
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Good work! Beautiful picture
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You fooled me 🙂
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Sorry. It was just in fun!
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Which was exactly how I took it 🙂
The daft thing is I have seen both and recall vaguely where they are but you still got me 🙂
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My shot was taken at the valet parking to the Paris Hotel and Casino. As you wait for a taxi, straight across from you is the fake Arc de Triomphe. And peeking over the roofline is the fake Eiffel Tower.
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Reblogged this on The Visual Chronicle and commented:
Love black and white images ? Visit Monochromia – https://groupexpo.wordpress.com
Photo by Emilio !
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Wouldn’t that be impressive? They’d think I was better than I am! Thanks, Mike for reading all the way through! I think I actually did get one or two who are now planning on visiting Paris! 🙂
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LOL….love the story! You know, if you didn’t put the bit at the end, you might have dozens of people visiting Paris thinking “how the heck did he get that shot!!” 😛
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I saw right through your scam 😛 Almost like a real thing! 😉 TERRIFIC RESULT, Emilio 🙂
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Thanks, Paula. What gave it away? The photo itself? Or you know Paris streets that well? It was all imagination and Google maps on my end! I’ve never been to Paris!
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I was in Paris last year :). You should go and shoot the real thing 🙂
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Well, of course I should! But family obligations keep me here for now.
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Great image and story Emilio, we had fun reading it, LOL 🙂
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I might do more like that. It was fun. Just making up outrageous stories to go along with my photos. Maybe not all the time, I don’t know. But there is another one I”ve already got scheduled for tomorrow morning.
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You almost had me, but I thought you had photoshopped it. Better the Las Vegas version! Liked the story too.
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I’ve -to my shame – never been to Paris . Your pictures make me want to visit soon.
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What about MY shame? I’ve never been there either yet I make up stories!
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