The Paris Catacombs April 19, 2007
Posted by Niels in : Beauty and the Geek, Personal , trackback
Every visitor to Paris should see the catacombs. They are an incredible sight. There are over 200 miles (350 km) of tunnels beneath Paris from centuries of quarrying. When the graveyards became too full, thousands upon thousands of bones were moved to the catacombs. Skull and femurs are stacked artistically in a solemn homage to the dead.
My visceral emotional reaction was that something was wrong here - that the bones of the dead shouldn’t just be put on display for visitors to stare at. But as I walked through the catacombs, it was clear that was just a cultural preconception. The catacombs are a respectful memorial to the dead and treats their memory is a far more dignified manner than, say, “Bodies: The Exhibition”.
Oh, and the Canadian couple that recognized me from TV and asked me to pose for photos did so before we entered the consecrated area, so that’s cool, too.
Comments»
niels-did you see any ghosties?
Oh yeah these rock. Saw them a few years ago, it was a really eerie experience. Particularly when you come out into the bright sunshine afterwards.
See you later!
The french have a very dark sense of humor.
oui. Us french ave a very dark sense of humor. Still think we are le scaredy cats??
I think you make too many assumptions, like the assumption that I’m an American
both of you are retards
hmm Oh my!! How do I reply to this caliber of biting wit. I would mention having sex with your mother, but I’m fairly certain she’s just as unattractive as you.
Maybe I’ll mention your grandmother, she probably gets some bonus points for having no teeth.
Nah!
Very fine and respectful comments. I like that term: “preconcieved”. I hope to go myself someday. Jeff