Hello Lovelies,
I'm back!!! Day 3 in Paris has been truly unforgettable. Over this weekend I had the opportunity to haggle in Paris' flea and open air markets. The bargains I was able to score were great and the experience itself was a lot of fun so I really did enjoy the exposure. The people dress well here in Paris, although its nothing that I haven't seen before (To all the people who have asked about Parisian Fashion). The culture of Paris is so similar to New York and I was truly shocked by this revelation. While travelling from one destination to the next, walking and public transportation were the go-to. I felt as though I was back in Manhattan ; subway hopping , the streets filled with people, and the traffic flowing at all hours of the day. Something I did not expect to see was the graffiti lining the walls of almost every building in Paris, since that is never shown or spoken about.
The nightlife here is so bright and vivid. This city comes to life when the sun sets and lights can be seen on every block. In addition to the lights, I also really appreciate the cobblestone streets. I find the architecture in this city intriguing. It merges past with present, making me feel as though I am walking in the same streets and alleys as prominent figures such as James Baldwin and Franz Fanon. Even though "la saison des pluies" brought daily showers, the rain revealed sunny skies and fresh opportunities for exploration of the city.
Today we went on a 2 hour walking tour on the north bank of the Seine River. While on this tour, we were able to experience the history of the prominent black French and African American people who have shaped modern French society. We also discussed the racial and political climate of the modern French culture. It was strange to discover that not much has been said about slavery or racism on the mainland. I felt as though black Parisians, although lacking strong representation, were content with their lot in life. This is so unlike the unrest racism has caused here in the United States. I learned so much from this tour and I can not wait to continue learning more about this city, its history, and its underrepresented populations.
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