They are tearing down a parking garage across the way from us to build some 'luxury apartments' (apparently without the luxury of parking...unless they plan to dig a really big hole...). They had to move a big chomping machine in; first, it arrived on the back of a flatbed truck. Next, it had to turn 90 deg. directly into a
passage barely wider than itself. This was accomplished by sticking old tires under the treads for it to twist itself on; it was a technologically simple and elegant, but elaborately choreographed, series of movements. Then it was turned to face the main gate which was between the road and some empty space in front of the garage. It did the expeditious thing and just drove into the metal gate, which of course promptly fell over--this is a big machine: the crook of its arm was passing our 3rd floor window. Aden was of course fascinated. This was all happening at 8am. Later that day, the tiny guardhouse was crushed in basically one blow--the crane thingy dropped a big chunk of wall on its roof a couple of times, and fell in. Then it picked up a corner of the roof--which was flat concrete--and lifted it up, and it shattered. The downside is that they are proceeding cautiously, and they could be jackhammering for months...but, they don't do it all day, thankfully.
Love
KS
Paris
