To my Dear Lovelies,
It has been such an exciting experience being here in Paris and making new friends. Today I went on a 2 hour walking tour through Little Africa in the Chataeu Rouge area. There were so many brightly colored tapestries and vendors selling exotic meats, fruits, and vegetables. As our tour guide Kevi said, "This is the African hub: A place where North, South, East, and West African countries come together to sell their wares and traditional African, French, and Caribbean cuisine." The tour really shed light on the life and politics behind little Africa's community and black population. It was an insightful experience because it enhanced my knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the immigrant population living in Paris.
I learned a new word today: Gentrification. Kevi showed us a restaurant that had been built on the corner, in a neighborhood that's population consists of the working class and minority/refugees. This would not have been such a strange sight if the restaurant had not been clearly designed for the upper middle class and the wealthy. This posed the question: Why would the middle class and affluent want to eat in a neighborhood so far removed from the comforts of their own world? It is because gentrification is an effect of urban planning that strategically changes the demographic and works to 'improve' the district or make it more refined and polished. This restaurant, as well as the retail store
across the street, can not be accessed by the population currently living and working in the area. I believe that overtime the property value will begin to rise and the climate and culture that shapes "Little Africa" may see a dramatic change.
Our next big destination was Montmarte. The chapel atop the hill was an iconic sight because the architecture and atmosphere were so different from the hustle and bustle of the modern city below. Montmarte's cobblestone streets were lined with antique souvenir shops, macaroon sellers, and artists with their caricatures. I liked the homely, small village feel of Montmarte because it felt as though we had stepped into an entirely different world. It was quiet and peaceful in Montmarte.
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