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Our last two days in Paris found us wandering through dungeons, graveyards, sewers and even a touch of the red light district around the Moulin Rouge. The one redeeming factor was a visit to Sacra Couer to pray before going to the red light district.
Ah Paris, a city of contrasts. Called the City of Light it really does have a darker side.
Again the sun shone as we wandered the narrow pasageways of Paris. We visited the Conciergerie which went from an illustrious past to becoming the final prison for a number of notables during the revolution (including poor Marie Antoinette). Though it was dark and depressing it was a lot better than the prisons we saw in Cambodia a few years ago. At least the ladies were given s nice little garden to stroll around before their heads were cut off!
From the dungeons we went to the sewers. Now really, this was a pretty good tour. I've never thought about what went on below in a big city. The tour followed the history of water (fresh and 'used') from the origin of the city to present times. Things have definitely improved. It even showed what the sewers would have looked like when John Valjohn saved the hero in Les Miserables. And now that I have your attention there was even a couple of stuffed rats on display to make us feel at home. Oh yes.... and the pipes were actually leaking and the smell wasn't really that bad. However, back up on the earth we were gulping fresh (city) air for at least the next half hour.
In the Latin Quarter (which we really do love) we wandered around again getting food. We ate the food as we walked the banks of the Seine where, I'm sad to say, we again experienced the dark side of Paris. Here there alcove-like apartments of homeless living under the bridges. Povert is very apparent here though it is not in your face. The poor sit quietly onthe sidewalk with paper cups begging to be filled.
Our last day in Paris (until June) was spent in the Montmarte district. This was the old artist's area and is still well known as a kind of quirky place. In the midst of this crazyness is the beautiful Cathedral of Sacra Couer. We climbed (all 300 steps) to the top but not without difficulty. No it was easy to climb... the hard part was getting through the turnstile. Shane paid our money to the big metal box which spat out two tickets. Inserting a ticket did not open the turnstile. Eventually we noticed a green light went red which, we found out, meant his window of opportunity to enter had passed. So, he climbed over with all kinds of people watching. No one knew what to do even the locals so they all laughed at his effort and applauded his athleticism. I, being much less an exhibitionist, just entered my ticket and went on in. Life doesn't have to be difficult!
After the church we wandered through the artists area... (sorry Niki, they wanted 25E a person for a picture and they just weren't that good). After looking at the artwork we wandered through the streets till we found ourselves at the famous Montmarte cemetary. Never did find Jim Morrison's grave but we did meet the cat man who decided that we should donate money to help feed the (very fat) cemetary cats. Nope, would rather help the homeless I'm afraid.
After that it was the Moulin Rouge then on to the greatest monument to spending I've ever seen.... a place called La Fayette. It is a huge mall filled with only French designers products and very very busy. Homeless line the streets outside while people get a good deal (300E) for Gucci bags etc. I just don't get it.
We've been here a week and have hardly touched the surface of this amazing city. In June we will come back and enjoy Paris in the early Summer.
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