'Paris is the city of darkness and hate!', was the statement on a building which I saw on my way to my school's second Project Week, 'Days in Paris'. At first, the statement provoked a strange feeling inside me, but after one minute, I reminded myself that the place where I am going is the city of lights and love, and nothing else. Secondly, my attention was totally preoccupied with the magazine 'Ultimate Paris Guide' which was inspiring me with the greatest photos of Paris and the places I should visit in the center.
The first aim of our Project Week group of ten people was to attend workshops concerning rhetorics and 'the art of speech'. Our knowledge about those topics expanded indeed, and it was very useful to learn about it. The second aim from which I have learned the most was exploring the city and its history. The Eiffel tower, Arc the Triomphe, Louvre museum... all of these attractions seemed great and really had an amazing impact on my understanding of history in Paris.
However, the greatest impact and even better understanding of reality in Paris began as soon as we entered the metro. We could clearly see differences and disparities between the center and the suburbs of Paris, where my group was accommodated. People are exposed to racism, hate, loneliness, and many other, negative experiences. Homeless people were sleeping on chairs, and refugee families with young children were sitting around corners, asking for a coin, which could help them to feed their children and survive the day. I was totally discouraged by the things I saw in the 'dark' parts of Paris, parts of the city of lights and love.
On our way back, I couldn't stop thinking about the scenes I witnessed during the week. Not scenes which would evoke happiness, but the scenes which were constantly making me feel sad. I remembered the place where I saw the statement on the building, and on the opposite side of it was another statement: 'I told you!' Indeed, the 'Ultimate Paris Guide' magazine should be rephrased to 'Ultimate Parise Guide of darkness and hate'. Paris taught me many things, but the most important ones will always remain in my mind.
Have you ever experienced anything similar, and what have you learned from it? Please write your opinions and comments below.
