Wine, Philosophy, and the other assurance

Day 4

This was the day we went to the Catacombs under Paris. The most important part of what I learned during this particular trek was summed up in one word, “DUCK!!!!!!!” The people of 19th century France were much more vertically challenged than I am standing roughly 188 centimeters.

Anyway, other than the height difference I must say the Catacombs were very beautiful, amazing, and staggering in an extremely macabre sort of way. But I have to marvel at the dedication of the people who placed all of the literally millions of bones in all of those caves. The respect that the French people have for those who have passed incredible from the flowers, to the days of remembrance, to the museums dedicated to keeping the memory of what has happened, to the different places for laying the dead to rest. The miles and miles of corridors both naturally formed and those that were carved out are amazing both in the engineering skill involved, but also just the thought that these tunnels are under the feet of a city that is larger than Los Angeles. This seems like one of Paris’ little secrets, mostly for the locals and those interested in the French/Parisian cultures. I am also endlessly glad that the Catacombs have cordoned off to only one path so no one will get lost down any of the other passages which have been utilized down there.

Another thing we did n this day was to have two intellectual discussions on Existentialism and Ernest Hemmingway, these were discussions meant for different levels of scholastic placement within the group. I was fortunate enough to get to sit in on both. The Existentialism discussion, which took place at the Café de Fleur for the graduate students in the group, was insightful both in the culinary peculiarities of the French, but also in the frame of mind that this philosophical point of view brings forth. As to the first I learned that I DO NOT like what the French people use for cheese. All I can say to that is never again!!!!!!!! Now as to the philosophical point of view it was refreshing being in a philosophical discussion with a predominantly female group for it was more intellectually explorative than most discussions I have had lately with a mostly male circle. These always seem to end up either in agreement or almost coming to blows for some reason.

The second discussion was held for the undergraduates at the infamous Café Deux Magot, a popular hangout for the likes of Ernest Hemmingway. During this discussion we ordered both white and red wines and received the full tourist treatment from the waiter who was more than happy to help us with wine selections he thought we would like, I must comment that he helped us with what he thought we would like not what would empty our wallets. But I digress, as to the discussion we read from “A Traveling Feast” from Ernest Hemmingway and related to how this described Paris. A little into the discussion it was brought to our attention by two accommodating French businessmen that we were sitting in the corner normally inhabited by Ernest Hemmingway so that he could survey the restaurant/street for the pretty ladies.