To the catacombs this morning. We were there before 10:00, but so were a lot of other people. The line inched forward at about a meter a minute. Painful. We finally got in about a quarter after 11:00, a little later than ideal. Anyway, after waiting in line for so long, we thought that we should do it. So, raced down the 134 spiral steps as fast as a tinge of vertigo would let me, and entered l'empire de la mort. Apparently the poor people were buried in mass graves in Paris. The decomposition process was aided by lime, which worked its way into the well water. So, starting in 1786, the bones were moved by wagons covered in black cloth, preceded by a priest. It took about 2 years to get the majority of the work done. And now, there are these macabre caverns through which the adventurous traveler can ramble. Most of the surfaces visible to tourists are made of skulls and the ends of long bones. Makes me wonder about how generations far into the future will view our current burial traditions. For myself, I'd rather be an organ donor, donate my body to science, or be cremated, in that order.
Finally got to the end, which meant the beginning of the 83 steps up. I did well at first, then started to get tired. Then, just as I was about to take a breathe, I saw the bottom of a doorway, and raced to the finish. Whew!
When we got on the train, I reiterated to Alex that he should probably make a run for it when we got back to St. Michel, and not to worry about leaving me behind. In the end, I was got back to rue Frederic Sauton just as he was leaving, and we had a farewell hug.
Well, on my own again. No one to cook me dinner, or bounce ideas off of, but this also means that I can shorten the bed and keep all the doors open in the tiny studio. Did the rearranging, and took a much needed nap.
Out dancing tonight at Jardin d'Alfortville. Remarkably, this place is easy to get to, and I took the RER D, without having to transfer or pay any extra fees. Danced with lots of great guys, and had some interesting conversation with a tiny Asian woman with blonde hair, who was incredibly slinky. I want to be slinky. It's a good thing. Incredibly, I also met up with Celine again. Well, probably not incredible, but a great thing. She was the one who initially helped me register for the WCS event four years ago, and signed me up to receive emails about these swing events in Paris. She is so nice, and seems to be universally liked. Also, she gets people together. For instance, we were walking out at the same time, and when she heard that I was taking the metro home, she asked around to find someone who could give me a ride to a more convenient station. She's a facilitator. I want to be a better facilitator. Also met Fabio. Well, at least that is the French name that he is currently traveling with. His French is quite good, and I mistook him for a native speaker. But, he is from Miami, and looks to be taking a gap year to travel. Through Europe until the winter, the heading to southwest Asia and New Zealand. With a pair of dancing shoes! The great thing about dancing is that it's a community, that gives members an entryway into foreign places. Just love it.
Got home around 22:30, and am. Just waiting for the laundry to finish so that I can hang it up to dry before going to bed. In the meantime, I had a wonderful dinner of leftovers to quell the beast within. Thanks Alex!
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