Paris. The city of Dreams. Constructed by beauty, art and artists, architecture, history, wars, Napoleon, revolutions, republics, and, in more recent times, an unusual multiculturalism. This was once the heart of the European colonisation project, and of racism, both of which continue to flourish: all the living contradictions, promises, ugliness and beauty of human thinking.
Paris is the epitome of modern, urban life. Leaving out, of course, the areas where immigrants from other lands inhabit, those who are here because the French were there. Rabab and I have been to this amazing metropolis a couple of times, and have paid homage at Notre Dame, the Louvre and other tourist sights. She had rather firm ideas for this visit with her penchant for seeking elusive beauty at off-beat art galleries, exhibits of lesser-known global artists, niche museums on hidden streets, jazz bars, stores and restaurants with a different cuisine.
We stayed for 2 weeks with this un-agenda in Maria's beautiful 2-bedroom apartment in the 8th Arrondissement. This peaceful residential area is in the heart of the city, a pleasant 15-minute walk from the metro stations of Miromesnil and Monceau. We stocked up with fresh produce from the bustling, real-food markets 20 minutes away. I would take the metro and get off to explore a district, she would do her thing, and we would then meet at a specific area for lunch or dinner. Breakfast was at the apartment, as were a few dinners when I cooked Indian to keep away the blues for dal-sabzi-roti. Never tastes like home, but good enough
I carried my Canon R5 to document everyday life and places; therefore, these 90 images of Paris in 14 Days. People going about their daily, mundane lives; captured on the microprocessor and not, alas, on film.