Day ten, and it was time to take the train to Amsterdam. We awaited the agent for the studio, who came around nine a.m. to check us out and return our 400 Euro deposit. We walked, luggage in tow, to the end of the block, found a taxi, then it was off to Gare du Nord, the Paris North Train Station, to board the Thalys coach. We sat across from the station, drinking coffee and smoking. The entertainment was varied and quite different from the quarter we had stayed in. Here, the women were more casual, less apt to be wearing stiletto heels and high fashion. There were vagrants and gypsies, hookers and pimps. Twice we were asked for a cigarette by one of the locals. The gypsies, all dressed in traditional and colorful garb, gathered in front of a McDonald's planning their day of panhandling. We were accosted not once, not twice, but more than three times by these women, two of whom were quite visibly pregnant. We did give one of the pregnant girls some money, and took her photo with her permission. The train ride was excellent, with beautiful views of the French and Belgium countrysides. Image captured 09/25/2007. Image and text created by Susan Isabella Sheehan. “Art Is The Perception Of An Altered Reality©” Copyright 2008 Surreal Digital Artist™ I invite you to visit surrealdigitalartist.com.