Fête de l'Assomption

August 15th, Feast of The Assumption for Catholics around the world, is un jour férié (holiday) throughout France.  I just happened to catch this procession as it wound its way down rue St. Antoine and across Place Bastille.  A number of priests, church officials and several thousand pilgrims followed behind respectfully singing hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary.

Beyond Paris...  New York, actually.  

After arriving in NYC on Saturday afternoon I learned that the 41st Annual Gay Pride Parade was being staged the following day.  Having just missed the Paris version due to our flight, I was eager to photograph this one as it wound its way down 5th Ave.  While the event was supported by a wide range of businesses and organizations - enough to span three hours of "starts" - I'm going to share some of the more colorful moments with you.  Be advised that if you are easily offended you might prefer to come back in a few days when the blog returns to Paris!

                                             

BLESSED BY GANESH

I knew I was in trouble when the bus driver announced that he was skipping the next 4 or 5 stops due to the “manifestation”. I had already broken my two cardinal rules for photographing parades:

1. Go at least one day before to get the lay-of-the-land, the light and the vantage points.

2. Get to the gathering point at least one hour before the start of the parade.

So, when all the sari clad women exited the bus, I followed. Ganesh, the god of opportunity and success, had already begun to work his magic! As I wove through the crowds I paused momentarily to receive a “pottu”, or painted red dot on my forehead as a blessing, which I really needed moments later when the crowd turned into a crush with cries of “doucement, doucement!” (gently, gently! or in this case, “take it easy!”) rising from the street. It was one of those moments when your thoughts begin with “Lord, if I ever get out of here…”

But, blessed by Ganesh, I got out and back in – close enough to get these images AND a gold pottu…

Namaste