So I think it is safe to say that as it is now certainly mid-November and that winter is officially here. In Paris, winter brings the freezing cold days in January when the wind whips off the Seine and makes you feel cold in every single part of your body and you can never wear too many layers but winter at the moment means the beginning of the build-up to Christmas. Today I have taken a couple of hours this afternoon to have a wander around some of the streets around the area where I live to appreciate some of the Christmas displays that have been going up. Christmas music is being played in the cafes and decorations are everywhere so it is finally time to get Christmassy and excited for the holidays.
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| (Made of Balloons) |
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| Galerie Vivienne |
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Galerie Lafayette's infamous tree
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While wandering around Galerie Lafayette, well I say wandering, trying to get around all the tourists, I was amazed at the pure luxury of the place, the opulent wealth, which got me thinking about something I have wanted to write about for a while now. While the beauty of Paris at Christmas is exciting, and I can't wait to go to the markets and embrace all the Christmassy activities, it is hard to ignore my privilege at this time of year when I'm walking around the streets of Paris and there is a homeless man, woman or family on every street corner begging for money. All I want to do it give them something because it breaks my heart that I get to go home to a warm bed and these people, who are people and deserve to have a home as much I do, don't have the safety of a roof over their heads or know when they will next eat, but with so many homeless in Paris, it is hard to know where to begin.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year for those that have families to go to and warm places to share food around the table, but this year, as every year, I want to remember, and to remind myself that it is not all fun and games for everyone, and that when I'm feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start, giving my spare change to even one person on the street will make that much difference to that one person and very little difference to what I can or can't afford in the long run.
Have a good week my loves!
