In spite of this, once away from the major tourist venues, I encountered a reality that I have never seen on any postcard or viewed in any movie. I had always seen Paris as a clean, classic, versatile city filled with cafes and flower shops on every corner. The reality was just the opposite. Debris litters the ill-repaired streets. Subway stations and trains reek from the stench of animal urine and feces.
Buildings display the colorful insignias of local gangs in spray paint.
Frenzied street fairs selling clothing at discount prices look as if a riot or a raid had occurred at the end of the day. Fliers, fast-food containers, soda cans and whatever else should be thrown into a trash can waits in front of storefronts to be sifted through by the homeless. Before the shock of a crude Paris set in, I felt as if I were right back at home. After all, Paris isn't allowed to have ghettos. But it wasn't just what I saw and observed.