Free Hugs campaign reaches Paris

Free Hugs
Originally uploaded by malias.

It was a splendid sunny afternoon in Paris and as I was walking by Notre Dame a stocky French man ran through the throngs of tourists and flung his arms around me. I didn't know him and at first I was somewhat suprised to say the least but after gathering my equilibrium it all became clear. This was a 'demonstration' staged by the free hugs campaign. There was a large group of them offering hugs, or calins as they say in French, to passers by.

How hugging complete strangers is going to make the world a better place I'm not quite sure but it's a bit of fun and it can't do any harm.

Or can it?

Shakespeare and Company

This is Shakespeare's bookshop along the Seine near Notre Dame. If you're an English speaker in Paris you'll almost certainly have browsed through it's many volumes at one time or another. You might even have come along to one of the teas provided for customers every Sunday afternoon. What you might not be aware of is that several people live in the store they get free accommodation in exchange for helping out in the shop. Places are offered to struggling (in every sense) anglophone writers recently arrived in Paris.

What you get is pretty basic. You have a bed to sleep on but there are no showers and not much in the way of privacy. If you are allergic to cats or dusty books then you should look elsewhere. Doesn't sound much but makes a good story.