Church and the Red Light District

It is so beautiful here. I can't really describe it. The architecture is amazing - it almost looks staged. There's art everywhere. The streets are lined with cafes and shops. There are people everywhere - walking around, shopping, eating. The people are actually very friendly, and many are willing to use the English that they know if you're willing to greet them and try some French.
We started the day at Sacre Coeur. It was build in the 1600s and is amazing. There are some beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows. You can't take pictures inside, but I took a lot of the outside.

It's still technically a church - the Pope just gave Mass last week - but it's really more of a tourist attraction. There are tons of people who just walk around and leave. I couldn't help but think of all of the people who had sacrificed to build this - those who gave financially, the builders, and all of the artists who all gave to build this amazing church. They must have loved God and believed in the vision. And now, it's little more than a tourist attraction. Such is the state of the church in Paris.

We then went to Moulin Rouge, which is in the Red Light District. It was amazing how everything there was just broadcast for the world to see - no hiding anything. Sadly, people seemed much more relaxed and "normal" than they did at Sacre Coeur.

Gotta go - we're meeting in a few minutes for dinner and then going to La Fonderie's worship service. Will try to post again tonight with more details.

Blessings from France!