Ater one amazing week experiencing the upscale, beautiful, touristic area in the center of Paris, With two amazing girlfriends. I planned a ride share to go to Spain to visit friends in Barcelona. I Was on my way a little rushed to meet the ride but I made it in time thanks to my artistic new friend and new illustrator for my comic, whom I met on the ride from Berlin to Paris. The driver was a Spaniard who spoke Catalan, spanish and french . The other two passengers were pakistanis who spoke their language of urdu, understood very little English, spanish and the third guy only spoke arabic. At first the three from the middle east did not even look at me but the vibe was comfortable. After an hour of driving a little outside of Paris the car broke down. The driver knew what the problem was and went to check at a shop to find a part. They returned to let us know that the car could not be fixed until the next day so what to do? The driver said he would fix the car in the morning and we could go then ...so they took us to the train to catch a ride back into Paris. While in the train the pakistani asked me if I had a place to go, I could have just rode all the way back to paris carrying my backpack and hunted for an internet place to try and contact one of my three friends in Paris to stay with. After laughing so hard at how funny it was trying to communicate with the guy who only spoke arabic I saw kindness in there eyes, felt safe and comfortable so I accepted their invitation to stay in there home to get a ride together the next day easier. Mind you still very conscious and aware in not completely trusting strangers. I never blindly trust anyone I observe and choose very carefully . Sometimes theres just a decision that just feels right, intuition.
They took me to a village close to where we were and as I walked with them through this town I realized we were not in Kansas
as anymore, this was the part of Paris people don't see, this is were the poor people lived. Majority were the black french and pakistan people or middle eastern and the streets were dirty and there were what seemed like gangs hanging out on street corners. This was the ghetto of France, this was were they warned me to watch my stuff and were prostitutes walked the streets. I thought "of course I wasn't going to leave paris having only seen one part of it" of-course I wasn't only going to experience the nice and touristic wealthy areas.. Of course I was going to have a broad view and realistic experience of what France is really like. As we walked with the pakistanis, they told me how they thought Paris was shit as far as the people and although the communication was being lost in translation as they spoke very little spanish and hardly any english I still understood very well what they were trying to communicate. They explained to me how they felt the people in Paris were sick in the eyes because of the unbalance of such wealth and poverty. The village they lived in was an a very quiet old historical neighborhood, it was cleaner, nicer and safe ...an obvious Muslim and family community, but it was still the poor rural area like in many capitalist countries class/race/status/refuges/illegal immigrants are separated. I entered the room and they enthusiastically introduced me to their brothers and cousins. Asalalmalekum!
There were about 6of them living in one flat all ranging from the age of 22-33 and one of them was an uncle who was much older. They welcomed me and demanded I drank my hot milk they were also very concerned if I was hungry and comfortable. I had notions of these people because of all I had herd or my experience with some in the Usa, but I allowed to erase all judgement and really try to connect. Throughout the night when we were making our way to there home the two men had carried my heavy bags and never allowed me to carry them myself , when we went to eat they refused for me to pay and every time I entered through a doorway they expected me to walk first. They were showing much respect, when I arrived to there home they gave me the best seat in the house and asked if I needed to call anyone or family. They began to try to communicate questions, one of the brothers actually spoke and understood very well english so now it was easier to connect with them. Although I really wanted to make it to my friends show in Barcelona that night I did not at all look at this as an unfortunate event, instead I looked at it as an opportunity and chance to understand this culture. I was living in a muslim area in Berlin but could not connect with them at all there so this situation made perfect sense to me.
I explained to them how I was traveling with music and writing and soon told them about the subjects I had in mind writing about. One of them happen to be about the pakistani culture and muslim religion. One of them asked me what it was I believed and to be honest... so I was. How I had lived in the Usa and the people were made to believe terrorist come from the middle east. I also stated how I also understood that women were treated with no rights and freedom. So the conversation began, but I started to understand that this was just not true. however they did explain that there are dogmatic people just like in all other religions and Half of the women do arranged marriages and the other half do not. Half of the women change and the other half choose not too. These guys also explained to me how as much as they hated france they were here simply just to work for there families back home. They would love to travel but they felt a responsibility to their families. I herd very noble and humble comments from them. Later a friend of theres came over who was from the Dominican republic and this guy only spoke spanish and french some how without speaking the same language he loved these guys and we all had good time. Trying to communicate, sharing music and pictures of there families, actually I laughed all night. I am always reminded by my experiences that again I should never listen to the opinions of others and again was made aware how ignorant the media and gossip can make people. Instead of judging them for their religion. I understood their beliefs and found a new respect for their culture. These young guys understood that humans are humans some try to be good and some are not or do not learn. I could see their hearts and eyes were good and treated me with the upmost respect.
My story does not end here, the next day we went on a mission to figure out this car situation and possibly find another form of getting to Barcelona . I was taken to other homes in this area friends of one of the guys who rode with me in the car, I guess for internet. I wasn't really sure what it was that we were doing but I went along with the tour around this area. We took a bus a metro and another bus and walked the streets in the center of this town. As I observed I saw dirty streets and trash on the floors inside restaurants, the people would stack themselves in the buses until no one could fit. Reminded me a little of Guatemala, but with newer buses. This was the ghetto for sure and honestly not a good feeling. However I use the word ghetto But I do not mean bad, these people were the oppressed of France possibly refuges and illegal immigrants who came in search of a work. They were allowed by the gov. To stay as the slave wagers of This country. Unlike in the middle of Paris the people walked in a hurry unaware and inconsiderate of others yet in this area the people were very aware of each other and even helped each other, they held the gates in to the metro so not to pay. They walked not such in a hurry but calmly and although I was made aware to be more protective over my stuff as here your more likely to get robbed, I still saw good people and struggling people and people who were considerate and looked me in the eyes. Maybe not so happy but they seemed more in the moment, actually conscious polite, more aware then Paris.
This is the part of the story were I complicate things. I was in the wealthy area of Paris staying with an old friend I went to school with in Las Vegas years ago. Our school was in the ghetto of latin neighborhood of Las vegas and many of our friends became victims of a drug addicted life , yet my friend, like I got out of there. My friend today is living a standard of life she has purposely created for herself. She is actually living her dream and today is working on the release of her first issue for her magazine. The Sernafengshui magazine which is actually using fun aspects of fashion, travel, art, and fengshui method of how to achieve your biggest dreams, as she did. It has to do all with the power of the mind and laws of attraction through fengshui ideals. I feel reconnecting with her and being reminded of this information was a big reason I felt compelled to visit Paris.
Now Back to the oppressed africans and pakistanis in this lower income area. I no longer was thinking they were victims only people who lacked knowledge about rising above. Some without the knowledge rise above their situation and search for more and some simply do not. Some get handed or come across this information and still do not rise to a higher consciousness and become masters of their reality. Some muslims are dogmatic and some are not just like the women who change and some do not. Some people are good and some are bad, some people have other selfish intentions and some are actually kind out of the goodness of their heart. I was tired and a bit frustrated that I did not figure out the situation about my ride yet and was beginning to accept that my last option was to hitchhike because I did not have enough for the train, and there were no blabla cars until Wed. When I arrived to the House we were staying, there were now about 15 pakistani brothers hanging out and I think they were invited to meet me as they herd I was going to write about my experience with them. I obviously was putting out this feeling of worry about my ride because one of the Pakistanis named Abdul asked if I was ok?
I simply explained that I wanted to go to Barcelona and did not accomplish anything today. Abdul asked why I didn't take the train, but I explained how I did not have so much money. They all begun to discuss and I really wasn't aware all of the men in the room were discussing my situation. Abdul then offers to pay for my ticket for the train, I didn't feel right about it but he insisted and said They would look for times tomorrow if possible I would go then if not the next day. So now ...I could relax, stop worrying,enjoy my time and insist I play my guitar for them .
So I did... they gave me a seat and handed me my guitar. I sang for them a mariachi, the perhaps cover and one of my own, which is an empowerment song about freedom and freewill. They all watched interested, clapped, recorded and took pictures. I actually let out emotions and In this moment I could feel the energy of the room as it was intense. When I finished they applauded me, praised me, let me know how much they appreciated me sharing and then handed me 160e. and said " now you can buy your own ticket for the train you earned it!" It was amazing this moment I almost broke out in tears I could not believe it I felt wonderful. Before the night ended two of the friends invited me for lunch tomorrow and the others explained the plan about how one would go get ticket and if possible after lunch I would go if not I would leave on monday not to worry. So the next morning the guy who brought me to the house asked for the money that was given to me to go buy the ticket. Now I was a little comprehensive about this guy and wasn't sure if I even wanted to travel with him, but since he was takin action I gave him the money. I slept more until noon when the other brothers woke me to go eat at the house we were invited to. We walked through the cute village and they bought me a coffee and then we arrived to the a great little cottage house they lived in. The men were busy preparing and cooking I also met more of there pakistani friends. I was informed the lunch was being made in my honor, I was truly great-full and now was completely in the moment not worried about leaving today because I was enjoying these people and how wonderful they were treating me. Only after a half hour of being there in the middle of them preparing the food the one who went to get tickets called and said that he bought the ticket for 2pm and I needed to hurry and make my way, but all the others explained it was not possible and he should change ticket as it was almost 1pm already. He refused and told me the only time was 2pm and insisted on going so I left with a brother who accompanied me rushing. Before I left many said to me this is not right they woke up early to make food in your honor, it is not right.. They were all so disappointed and I was also disappointed to go in this way. We rushed with my bags to catch the train but were 20min too late, and this guy was angry that we did not hurry in the end he had to pay 30more euros to change ticket for tomorrow. We returned to the village and returned to the lunch but the chefs were not there anymore, the food was delicious and I felt disappointed that I even agreed to leave in the first place.
Now this guy bought the ticket for 7am, which everyone was not happy with and thought that he might of bought the ticket for 2pm Just so I go away from the rest to be alone with him. I decided I would not go with this guy, who i met in the original ride, to Barcelona as his motives were becoming clear. In this moment he calls Abdul and demands me to go back home so we could go the another house that would be closer to station but I tell him no, then he sends one of the young guys to get me and so I go back only to tell him face to face I would not go with him alone somewhere else. When I arrive it was a big situation This guy was convinced I belonged to him since he brought me to meet his friends. I dont know what they were saying, but they were all arguing about this situation. I simply told him I would not go with him, The rest of the family let me know their was no problem and told him it was my choice they did not want me to worry and wanted me to feel ok and safe about making my own decision so I went back to the bar.
I had great conversations with this Abdul character and he really was a sweetheart in love with me, but very respectful.. He wanted to make it clear that not everyone is the same and how some men try to buy sex and others actually care about your heart. Abduls only passion was to do good for his family which was very important to him and to all of them. In the morning Abdul and Adenan made it there responsibility to get me to my train for the 2pm instead ,we made it but when we arrived the lady at checking said it was non refundable and I would have to pay another 170e for a new ticket because I missed the 7am... Ridiculous this was, we went to the train anyway. They told me to wait, just get on anyway and if asked by checking play dumb so I said my goodbye and jumped on the train. I am now writing this on the train, the clerk checked my ticket and everything worked out.
I don't know if the Pakistani family will read this but I hope they know how much I appreciate everything they did for me. My experience with them was good in the end and actually very special, although one man had ulterior motives, I met about 30 of these Pakistani mostly Muslim and they were all respectful and very kind. I will no longer ever judge people by there religion especially one I do not understand and know very little about. Also I am aware they might of judged me but after explaining about myself and waiting to show my tattoos, despite my hair, they liked me as a person and women as different from their culture as I was. I know its not just luck and truly believe my grandfathers are always with me, I am also aware they might of treated me so kind because they believed I was beautiful maybe even more because I shared my music. However this was a community of friends pretty much only all men and the biggest reason I believe they were so affected by me is because of my loving female energy and open heart. I remind all women the healing nurturing women and how it is truly a special powerful thing. These guys were Definitely in need of feminine energy, they missed their wives, daughters, sisters and mothers, separated for their duty to the entire family. Borders, make it not possible for them to see their families in years and although they are fine with their tribe of men... I understand why they are sometimes taken by their deprivation of women. To believe in stereo types perpetuates them and solves nothing, to not believe in them and prove them wrong is evolution.
many profound lessons were shown to me from this pakistani story in Paris I am grateful I got to connect with these new friends. They were truly beautiful people and I am thankful for the experience. Asalamalikum
-Gitana galactica
Enjoly
http://offtrackplanet.com/
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