Look what we found in the attic at the apartments. A little trip to 1975!
The Independant is a regional paper that still operates. The top story is the boarding of a U.S. merchant ship by the Cambodians. The second lead is the acquisition of Compagnie International pour l’Informatique (aka CII–it means International Computing Co.) by Honeywell-Bull, a French-U.S. computer maker.
The first visit to France by Deng Xiaoping (spelled Teng Hsiao-Ping in French) got several stories, including an explanation by the Carcassonne committee of the French-Chinese Friendship Association.
The article begins: “First travel to France, since the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in ’49, by a leader of the Chinese government, the voyage of vice-premier minister Deng Xiaoping is an important event for reinforcing the friendship between the French and Chinese peoples.”
The front-page cartoon about Jackie O. remarrying came two days before the death of Aristotle Onassis at a Paris hospital. Tasteless, eh?
Meanwhile, the pound sterling beat all its records of falling, with a devaluation of 24.9%, though the article doesn’t make clear from what starting point and besides it wasn’t a devaluation (when the government does it on purpose) but a depreciation (the markets drive the currency down).
The simple, direct cri de coeur “Pas pour mini-car!” refers to a law passed in 1975 allowing the voiture san permis—cars without a license. Actually these ultra-small two-seaters do have licenses; it’s the drivers who don’t. In fact, I showed a photo of one here. They can’t go faster than 45 kph, and the lack of a license requirement makes them popular with retirees who can’t see. Can’t get autonomous vehicles fast enough!
Taste of France 
What a wonderful found!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was really interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time warp, indeed. Those apartments are a treasure trove. Be careful about walking through unmarked doors, you might find yourself in 1789.
Might some of the difference in the spelling of Chinese names be because that was around the time they were switching from Pinyin to the more phonetic transliteration now used?
Interesting how they hyphenate word breaks with no regard for whatever: tou-tes and voya-ge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The indiscriminate hyphenation continues today. I’m sure you’re right about the spelling. An evolving thing. After all, the Chinese capital used to be called Peking by the West, based on bad pronunciation of Beijing.
LikeLike
Bonjour! This reminds me of the old newspapers we found in our attic as well, and an extra interesting thing about them is that back in 1941 when our house was built, they used newspaper to line the walls for insulation! And we are in frigid Minnesota! But when you think about it, the pulp from which newspaper was made do have an “insulating” and warm quality to it! A great find bien sûr for seeing the world through the eyes of the past!
I want to thank you so much for coming to comment on my post. You have been a huge encouragement to me about my writing. It was you who brilliantly commented a while back on Vicki’s post featuring me. You had said that you enjoyed my writing because I was not “twee” and that means a lot to me. I had taken a poetry class a few years ago and our teacher remarked how important it is to avoid that. I have struggled for years in my writing to make sure I do avoid it, and I think you have helped me see that I am indeed avoiding it. It’s about creating a fresh and unusual image to convey the everyday things.
Merci and enjoy a beautiful French autumn day mon amie! Anita
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love your blog! It’s a pleasure every time you post.
Re newspapers, there is a new kind of “green” insulation made from cellulose–ground-up newspapers.
LikeLike
What a great find – and such interesting stories!! I think the mini car should never have been allowed on the roads, they are such a hazard, looking like real cars but running at a fraction of the speed!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and it isn’t at all reassuring that the drivers don’t have licenses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They should have a flashing light on their roofs, just like grape picking machines – at least the grape pickers are pretty visible!
LikeLiked by 1 person