Going Green In Paris

One of the great things about Paris is the cars.  Now I’ll admit, I’m no car fanatic, but I’m rather mesmerized by the tiny little vehicles cruising around the streets of Paris.  Of course, my strange fascination might stem from the fact that I’m small (5’1″) which makes the idea of a tiny car to beebop around in all the more appealing.

Of course the smart car is not a new concept and I’ve seen a smattering of the tiny cars driving around the United States, dwarfed by the over-sized vehicles cramming American streets.  I fear for the occupants’ safety in the event of an accident.

Here in Paris, I see smarts zipping down all the streets and parked all over the city.  Cars park either direction and are literally parked bumper to bumper on every street.

The streets are narrower and people slide dangerously close to the cars opposite them on the road. More than anything else, I fell in love with the tiny, old-fashioned cars.  My first love was a tiny yellow car of which I am clueless about the make, model, or year (anyone?).

I know only this: it was the most beautiful car I’d ever laid eyes on.  I stepped down next to it from the curb and was pleasantly surprised to notice I towered over the tiny thing.  It was like a toy car. I’m half-embarrassed to say I literally squealed in delight.

Later I began noticing variations of my new obsession all over the streets of Paris, white ones, blue ones, miniature station wagons.  They were all darling of course.  I wonder at the value of such a fabulous mode of transportation.

If I find this little car roaming the streets of Paris it may be capable of replacing my little yellow car…

but until then….