Inspiration

Paris in January. Such a lovely city and the perfect time of year to visit. The throngs of tourists aren't bustling around and you are free to enjoy the eerie beauty of the capital in peace. From the well known sights to the secrets buried under the winding streets this place bursts with amazing, sometimes frightening features. Here are some of the places that have enchanted and inspired me during previous visits:

Eiffel Tower.
Seen sometimes as a simple symbol of the city that is found on keychains, mugs, caps and tee-shirts this structure is a place I visit every time I go to Paris. I don't necessarily climb every time but I go to gaze at the amazing feat of engineering. Constructed to commemorate the centenerary of one of the bloodiest periods in European history, the French Revolution. A mountaineer scaled it, two men have parachuted from it and many scientific experiments were conducted at it. It is a marvel.

The Gargoyles of Notre-Dame.
Another favourite place to visit is the rooftop of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Inspiration for the fantastic novel by Victor Hugo and residence of some particularly gruesome yet harmless gargoyles. This one is my particular favourite:

Underground Paris.

Paris has many amazing features hidden below the old streets. From the interesting Metro tunnels and stops to the chilling catacombs. Descend to discover the darkest parts of Paris.

Other places of Interest.

There are so many amazing places to see in this city. If you go please visit Shakespeare & Co. to pick up a book. The Sacré Coeur and The Madeleine Church are epic and evocative of the past. The Montmatre area is a must for those selling to channel the artistic side and the museums particularly Musée D'Orsay are well worth visiting.

Childhood Memories

It seems to me that there is a resurgence happening in dark and twisted tales for children. This really is a good thing. Having grown up with chilling tales and scary songs for lullabies I quickly established that, in this cruel world, there are things one should be afraid of. Initially I loved to be told old stories, of various origins, from the twisted cautionary celtic legends to the horrific evocation of Baba Yaga. My mother and grandfather delighted in "putting the frighteners" on all the children in the family. I devoured the dark imagery in the offerings of the Grimm brothers. Poe became a fascination as a young teen.
These are the narratives that warn us, form us and educate us on the passions and emotions that fear can bring. Indulge children with them so that they learn there is darkness in the world and to be aware.

I am always alert to the horrors of this world thanks to the songs my mother sang:

Weile, Weile, Waila

Remember the Heroes

Dark and dastardly deeds,
The demon planted his seeds,
Hapless innocents caught in the carnage,
Hopeless witnesses viewed the damage.

To see such bloody horror,
Leads to fits of terror,
To hear the screams of fear,
Results in echoes that do sear.

What kind of madness causes such actions?
I would argue none.
It is simply the behaviour of selfish factions,
That leads to the lifting of a gun.

Repugnant dishonour will taint their names,
Disgust will be aimed at their games,
Their minds are feeble, weak and cowardly,
Vengeance shall come for them unreserverdaly.

To those that fell we should mark respect,
To the silent heroes who tried to protect,
To the children that were sacrificed,
To every innocent that has lost life:

We will mourn you,
We will remember you,
We will clamber for your justice.