While I love me some France, it's far from paradise in many respects. One thing it's definitely not is colorblind. Despite the number of interracial couples and diversity of people one may encounter on a trip to France.

Take Sarkozy's current crackdown on the Roma, or gypsies - repatriating those who cannot prove they can support themselves to Bucharest, Romania. And though they may be sent "back" to Romania, the Romani people hail from much further afield, originally - from the northern region of the Indian subcontinent.

I'm inclined to agree with those who see this latest French policy, among others (e.g., banning the veil for Muslim women), as a move toward official racism. Very disconcerting developments, at best. And though France may send its gypsies away, they will, no doubt, soon be back. As, apparently, no EU nation wants to give them the assistance they so obviously and desperately need. Least of all Romania. And so, what then?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - narceau.zemm - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of narceau.zemm

Being a travel photographer, I come home with oodles of images, but not many of myself. And not many of other people, either. I feel very uncomfortable photographing unsuspecting strangers. It feels invasive, disrespectful, and generally wrong. Though I know many wonderful photographs come about this way for other, gutsier photogs than me. But whether it's a secret snapshot of a local, or a posed composition of a willing model like the one above, I do enjoy looking at other people's portaits from abroad. And this one, in particular, I find fantastic. What a wonderful, many-layered memory. Simply magnificent.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - thefeelion - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Romania ★
Photo courtesy of thefeelion