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Writer's pictureJae Wiens

May 3, 2015 - Paris 2015

Updated: Mar 23, 2022

Hello everyone! I trust this finds you all very well!

A pretty full afternoon here in beautiful Paris - in the rain, in the sun. Jet lag hit quite hard so the morning was spent rising early then back to sleep for a time as the rain thundered down. Hard to enjoy time to the fullest if I’m dragging myself around and wishing I was back in bed!

I met my “Bloody Paris Tour” group along the Seine in the area of Marais. Such a quaint, rustic and medieval area, known mostly as the Jewish quarter, especially back in the day until WWII when about 75% of its Jewish population was rounded up by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz or other death camps.

This city is a living history in so many ways!

It is filled with narrow cobblestone streets where only small cars, bikes and motorcycles seem to be able to navigate around, between the throngs of pedestrians.

The many restaurants and cafes are situated side by side where patrons are facing the street to people-watch and appear like an audience to those strolling past. Lots of boutique stores etched into the facade of the former merchant shops.

CENTRE POMPIDOU - A WORLD CLASS ART GALLERY, MUSEUM AND CENTRAL LIBRARY

So early in the spring and already there are vibrant coloured flowers in all of the planters hanging from the apartment balconies and window sills overhead.

The architecture in this area is so astounding. Such works of art! Gargoyles and dragon figurines push out of the corners in every direction.

There are also statues of prominent historical politicians/royalty/martyrs decorate the exteriors, which are busy with signs of “Je suis Charlie”. Everywhere one looks, there are posters to commemorate and support the Paris journalists, who were killed in this past January’s terrorist attacks.

SIGN TRANSLATION: ”I AM CHARLIE, I AM ALSO NIGERIAN, MUSLIM, JEWISH...IN SHORT, I AM EVERYONE!”

The “Bloody Paris Tour” was not only a historical account of the blood that was spilled in particular locations, but included such recent stories as this.

I’m surprised nightmares won’t be part of this night’s dreams for me. The ways that people thought to kill others based on motives to remove kings from power, fear of losing loved ones to new lovers, avenging deaths by destroying one’s (perceived) enemies, rising up against the current corrupt leaders in power or just killing others because...so horrible. Yet, rather interesting at the same time somehow!

And these atrocities were on top of the starvation, the plague, civil war(s) at the same time. It’s a wonder this country had anyone left to continue.

A few lessons in language learned from this tour. One of these was regarding the word “morgue”. During the medieval times, the coroners left bodies out in prison yards or in basements of prisons for people “to stare at” in order to identify their loved ones, or for by-standers to see these bodies as an example of what could happen if they didn’t obey the current rulers. The word “morgue” comes from the French verb, “morguer” which means to “look at solemnly”!

After this tour, it sure made me glad to be alive and with that in mind, I found a great little wine bar to do my own people watching while the sun dried up the rain from the morning’s downpour.

BON APPETIT A DELICIOUS MEAL AT AN OUTDOOR CAFE

Leaving the patio, I strolled through the streets filled with Sunday shoppers, young families, lovers of all ages, tourists...everyone seemed to come out of nowhere as the clouds dissipated.


And I got really lost in all of it - both figuratively and literally. I could not for the life of me figure out where I was. So, with maybe a bit of assistance from the wonderful French vintage coursing through my veins, I got a bit philosophical and of course, very wise!

Whenever I tend to get off course in my life, when I panic and fear that I will never return to where I want to be, I tend to be blinded to what is around me, to the beauty that is part of the journey I am on, and what is possible. And I forget that I’m not meant to return to where I was, but I’m meant to move forward, to be progressive and get out of my comfort zone.

And so today when I wandered and lost track of the landmarks to take me back to where I thought I needed to be, instead of holding my breath and becoming fearful, worrying and going in circles, I just continued to explore. I found the most incredible places and met such beautiful people.

SAINT JACQUES LA BOUCHERIE BELL TOWER AND GARGOYLES

Eventually, I made my way to where I wanted to be, having a sense of accomplishment by having trusted that I was, and would be safe. Definitely a renewed sense of freedom and empowerment!

Perhaps I need to explore a bit more often in my life. And not only while traveling, but in my daily life. As the saying goes, “All who wander are not lost!”

It’s great to reaffirm this trust in one’s instinct from time to time, and enjoy spectacular views of one’s journey without shutting out life!


And on that note, I need to shut these eyes for another day. Hope you’re enjoying life and being great to yourselves!

Salut, Jae

A SIGNPOST IN FRONT OF CITY HALL

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