The other Paris ~ 1

Over the next few days I will be posting lots of pictures taken our long weekend in Paris, that show the beauty and history of the city. So today I have posted two views of the Arc de Triomphe in my albums for last friday.

There is another side to Paris though, the underclass who seem to be on every street corner, metro station and going from metro carriage to carriage begging for money.

I cannot remember ever seeing so many people begging in a city. I must have seen 100 people in less than 2 days.

So, to balance my views of the iconic landmarks, there will also be a few days of posting shots like this one, showing old and young, male and female, begging for money to buy food.

I am minded of the Orwellian quote in Down and Out in Paris and London, “The mass of the rich and the poor are differentiated by their incomes and nothing else,and the average millionaire is only the average dishwasher dressed in a new suit.”

There but for chance and good fortune go many of us.

[Lee]

Makes me realise how fortunate I am, great shot Sean. Also, thank you for the encouraging comments and faves you have recently left for my photos.

[Daryl O'Hare]

Wow. That's a great accompanying quote. Nice shot.

[Lisa Stein]

Definitely not the picture that normally comes to mind when one thinks of Paris. Thanks for showing another face. This is very powerful image.

[Simon]

Great capture Sean, we don't realise how lucky we are!

[kjbadger]

Really tells a story--and makes you appreciative of what you have.

[aurorajane]

Very emotive image - great work :)

[Taffy]

This conveys such a dark side of our society world-wide. And b&w is perfect for it. I always hesitate to take such photos (and sadly, there are plenty of 'opportunities' in Chicago), but it's so important to document the full range of our society. Brilliantly captured and conveyed.

[Jocasta]

I saw you Arc de Triomphe first - this is such a sad side of city life.

[Ross Walker]

This would be an impossible photo for me to take. I worked for years in an area of San Francisco where I was panhandled continuously and agressively. It was another thing I didn't like about city life, so I hope you will forgive me if I don't comment on this series from here on out.

[☯ Sarah ☁]

It's good to be reminded how lucky we are by shots like this but very sad as well that we live in a world where people still have to live on the streets

[Raye]

Great shot, Sean! Brilliant in b&w! I especially appreciate the supportive narrative! It is so easy to forget there are two sides to the story. When one thinks of Paris, this image does not come to mind! Thank you!

[Sean O'Neill]

@rvwalker Absolutely no apology necessary Ross. Hope to hear from you again soon.

[Danny G.]

Powerful and sad.

[Ivan]

I'm doing these backwards - another sad image. Like the Orwellian quotes, read it long ago.

[Cazla]

Very interesting image, and a brilliant quote.

[Angela Tavan]

certainly a confronting image! but something that perhaps we all need to see. We are so blessed in our comfortable lives! I'm glad you are showing this side of Paris as well as the more glamorous side!