Spoiled in the Seizieme

So, I live in the seizieme (16th) arrondissement here in Paris. Whenever a Parisian hears that you live in the seizieme, you usually get an "ooh la la" or a smirk because the seizieme is known as one of the more affluent parts of town. I'm not particularly sure as to why it's a richer part of town, because it's almost entirely residential and has no touristy stuff or major shopping areas really, but it is. I've never really thought much about living here until Katrina and I ventured up to the dixhuitieme (18th) today to visit the Musee de l'Erotisme (which was very cool...I recommend it...it's right by Moulin Rouge). We started out on Metro line 13, which is one of the nicer ones and goes right by our school. As we got further north, the train got more and more crowded. When we switched to line 2, the train was positively jammed (on our way home, we couldn't even get on the first train because there was absolutely no room whatsoever). The trains on line 2 are old and have lots of graffiti in them. The stations on line 2 were not clean (we thought it was ironic that the station we got off at was called Blanche - white, in French - but was the dirtiest station either of us had ever seen). When we walked around the Blanche station area, which is surrounded by sex shops and strip clubs and has very little along the lines of landscaping or anything (which is odd for Paris), we were both like...we miss the seizieme! We're spoiled! So, I have a new appreciation for the cleanliness of my Metro lines 9 and 10 and the streets around my apartment. I am content being spoiled by living in the seizieme!

Anyways...despite the rougher neighborhood, our afternoon journey was fun! We got to see the Moulin Rouge, which was exciting. It's basically right outside the Metro station. We just took pictures and left, because it costs like 70 euro to see a show there. We went to the Musee de l'Erotisme (museum of erotica), which was sort of a combination of a history and art museum devoted to erotic things. It was very tasteful and interesting to see. The gift shop and shop next door were interesting experiences.

Only one more week in Paris. Crazy, isn't it?

Riley =)