Going to Africa without Leaving Paris

        Awhile back I promised to write about my trip to Chateau Rouge and I am finally keeping my end of my bargain. Remember that Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that make a shape of a snail. I can easily take the Metro to Chateau Rouge, which is in the 18^th arrondissement, but it takes me half an hour from my apartment. This weekend I was blessed to have my uncle and his friend spend some time in Paris, so I took them to Chateau Rouge or what has been called “Little Congo.” This is a place you can find all sort of African foods, dresses, movies, CDs, hair products, restaurants, etc. The first time I went it was a little intimidating and almost a shock. As soon as I came out of the metro, it was like I was in a different world. The shops suddenly had all the ingredients I needed to make some of my mom’s dishes. The open market was crazy and it seemed like the products were talking to me. As someone who is used to going to a supermarket and grabbing things off the shelves, no amount of French lessons could have prepared me for this experience. I’m pretty sure that I bought one thing and called it a day. Each time I went back, I would get more things and appreciate having discovered a place that reminds me of home.

For the first time this weekend, I went to an African restaurant in the area. The food was extremely delicious! The thing that stood out to me was the conversations taking place. I was warned before coming here that French people generally speaker quieter and that Americans can be picked out in crowds because they are so loud. It was so funny being in this restaurant and thinking that these people were being loud but that it was ok. It was all right because sometimes when Africans get into debates about politics and other related issues, whispering cannot begin to capture what all needs to be said. Being in this environment, I was reminded that no matter how far people are away from home, they always find ways to bring home with them. For some of the Africans in Paris, Chateau Rouge might be the place they meet with others from the diaspora to do some talking about politics and shopping for ingredients they can’t find anywhere else.