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-   -   Paris daffodils (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-daffodils-927799/)

Nikki Mar 15th, 2012 07:39 AM

Paris daffodils
 
I am in Paris now and there are people selling bunches of small daffodils in the street.

I bought a bunch for three euros. I assume Kerouac will tell me I paid too much, but I am wondering if there is a particular significance today.

bilboburgler Mar 15th, 2012 07:47 AM

They were either Dutch or stolen from the Jura meadows.

Daffs coming up in Yorkshire now.

kerouac Mar 15th, 2012 07:53 AM

I'll see what they're going for in my neighborhood. Probably stolen from the parks and gardens of the city, or along the périphérique.

Nikki Mar 15th, 2012 08:03 AM

I bought mine outside the Voltaire metro, but I saw people along the bus route too. I did not notice this the past few days, just wondering why today.

Leely2 Mar 15th, 2012 09:22 AM

Daffodil Days is some kind of fundraising thing here in the States, I believe for cancer research. I remember people selling them for a few days in March when I was in college. Your daffodils may be related. Or perhaps the Cancer Society Daffodil Days fundraising is based on an older tradition?

AGM_Cape_Cod Mar 15th, 2012 09:29 AM

We saw people selling them on Sunday in the Blvd Raspail market.

kerouac Mar 15th, 2012 11:00 AM

No, in France it is just people trying to make some money.

annhig Mar 15th, 2012 11:04 AM

LOl, Nikki, i saw them too but they are such a familiar sight here in Cornwall that I didn't give them a 2nd thought, knowing that i could pick my own when I got home. the first ones go on sale here in December when the ones of the Scillies come into bloom.

Carlux Mar 16th, 2012 12:22 PM

In fact the daffodils are part of a cancer awareness campaign organised by the Institut Curie
http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/s...le-194804.html

kerouac Mar 16th, 2012 12:46 PM

Well, they are certainly not succeeding then, because I have never seen a single one of these people with a collection tin for that. Perhaps they only work in the provinces?

However, I have seen many gypsies, refugees and homeless people in Paris selling them to try to survive.

Padraig Mar 16th, 2012 01:35 PM

Herself was offered a large bunch last week for €2. She likes daffodils, took out her purse and found that she was a little short of €2 in coin. So she offered perhaps €1.70. No deal.

We considered making up a bunch when we walked the Promenade Plantée, but remembered that we are law-abiding people.

Nikki Mar 16th, 2012 03:39 PM

I was no more aware of cancer after purchasing my bouquet than before, so if the folks I have seen are participating in this campaign, they are keeping it secret. I am more inclined to think it is what Kerouac said.


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