My Thoughts on Death & an Ireland Trip Review

Brittany shares her experiences in Paris, emphasizing the city's preparation for the 2024 Olympics and her personal encounter with the historical and eerie Paris Catacombs.

Olympic Preparations Transforming the Cityscape

Paris is abuzz with preparations for the upcoming 2024 Olympics. The iconic Olympic rings now adorn the Eiffel Tower, and seating stands line the Seine River and other key sites. Even museums repurpose spaces to host gymnastic events, while beach volleyball courts are impressively set under the Eiffel Tower.

Impact on Parisian Life

Though exciting, Brittany mentions that these preparations have caused disruptions. She echoes the frustrations of local residents, like a taxi driver who complained about the resulting increased traffic and obstacles, lamenting how the global event has complicated daily life for Parisians.

Brittany's Exploration of the Paris Catacombs

Brittany Broski recounts her visit with her friend Katie to the Paris Catacombs, a vast underground ossuary beneath the streets of Paris, colloquially known as the city of bones.

The Origin of the Catacombs

These catacombs, which began as limestone mines, were converted to depositories for the dead in the late 18th century, addressing both overcrowded cemeteries and concerns of disease. Brittany describes her descent into the catacombs as a transformation from natural sunlight to "weird archaeology lights," with spiral staircases leading into the depths of history. She was guided through hallways lined with bones and past markers correlating with the historically named streets above.

A Unique Encounter with Death

Navigating the Catacombs was chilling yet thought-provoking for Brittany. The site, distinctive for its honoring of the deceased more generally rather than memorializin ...

During her visit to the Paris Catacombs, Brittany Broski found herself deeply contemplating the notion of mortality and the transient nature of human life. The subterranean world of bones and silence offered her a stark contrast to the liveliness of the city above and evoked profound reflections on the equality that death imparts and the ultimate fate that awaits all human beings.

The Paris Catacombs evoked a deep sense of mortality and the transience of human life in Brittany.

Brittany was taken aback by the vastness of history laid bare before her, recognizing that the skeletal remains were not merely artifacts but traces of individuals who had lived and died centuries earlier—some even predating the establishment of the United States as a nation. This recognition stirred a profound sense of connection to the past and of modesty in the grand spectrum of time.

The Catacombs, described as a "temple of the dead," conveyed to her the essence of equality in mortality, where societal distinctions are rendered moot. Amongst the bones, Brittany found herself considering the meaning of life and the reality that, in death, everyone is reduced to "bones in a grave." The visit to the Catacombs prompted her to wonder if it’s an honor to have lived and died for notable causes, and she marveled at the historical implications of resting in places touched by movements like the French Revolution.

Brittany also encountered the uncomfortable questions around respect and commemoration as she pondered if playing lively music in such a somber place was a tribute to the lives once lived or a disquieting juxtaposition.

Brittany grappled with the concept of the "true temple of equality" - the idea that in death, all people are equal, regardless of their station in life.

Brittany found herself thinking about these individuals whose lives were so distant from her own, yet in death, they shared a universal experience. The "true temple of equality" notion led her to a contemplation of how societal differences ultimately hold no weight in the face of mortality.

Moreover, she was particularly moved by the sight of children's bones in the Catacombs, which underscored for her the unpredictable length of life and the element of chance that determines each person's story.

Brittany found both comfort and anxiety in the existential truths she confronted in the Catacombs, reflecting on the preciousness of life and the inevitabi ...

Brittany’s visit to Dublin left her with a profound appreciation for the Irish culture and a strong connection to the people’s warmth and hospitality.

Brittany was deeply impressed by the warmth, kindness, and sociability of the Irish people she encountered during her time in Dublin.

Brittany ardently believes that Irish people are among the kindest people alive. She experiences a strong sense of nostalgia when interacting with them, drawing a comparison between their genuine care for community—a sentiment emblematic of Southern hospitality in the United States—and the interactions she encountered in Ireland. Brittany laments that the kind of close-knit community spirit prevalent in Ireland is becoming increasingly rare, especially in small towns.

She resonated deeply with the Irish, feeling a sense of shared understanding, particularly striking when abroad. The tendency of the Irish to engage in friendly conversations is something she holds dear, noting its similarity to traditions that seem to be dwindling in places like Los Angeles.

Brittany regretted not having the opportunity to fully explore Ireland's history, particularly the museums and memorials related to the Irish Famine, due to the limited time she had in the country.

Brittany yearns to delve deeper into Ireland's rich history on her next visit. She plans to travel beyond Dublin to Cork, Galway, and Belfast, intending to soak in the Irish pride evident in their culture. The resilience of Irish revolutionaries and the country’s struggle through British colonial rule is a narrative she wants to explore further.

Throughout her initial visit, Brittany enjoyed the Viking Splash Tour in Dublin, where she praised Kenny, her guide, for his humor and engaging storytelling. She appreciated learning about Ireland’s major historical sites while being entertained on this unique tour, cruising through the river and admiring architecture like an opera house or museum located on the waterfront.

However, Brittany's previous stay in Ireland felt too brief compared to her time in London ...