Thursday, December 10, 2015

Le Vieux Monde Inférieurs

The Old World Below
Who know that another world existed deep under the heart of Sacramento.


On December 8, 2015, my fellow Context travel companions and I received the unbelievable experience to tour; or what I like to call, tunnel through, one of our own historical subterranean world beneath Old Sacramento.




On this tour, we saw and learned how Sacramento “jacked” itself up out of the flood waters during the 1860s and 1870s! Our phenomenal tour guide explained how the streets and buildings before use to be about 25 feet below. Now, since most of the buildings were lifted while others were destroyed to make room for much newer buildings. For example, some buildings such as a few hotels, bars and restaurants were moved in spite of the construction. Yet, the ancient underground part of Sacramento's history still remains under pavement and streets and sidewalks of the city.



To Sacramento's knowledge, the early 1850s was an era of contagious fires and raging floods. During this period, Sacramento experienced two months almost of continuous rainfall. Causing the American River to break through the levee around the city. The levee that settlers believed was going to stop the flooding. The next option was to lift the city. So around 1860 or so, the Sacramento residents came together, with shovels, jacks and all, and started to lift the city.



This city has survived all these obstacles but still remains with much passion. Kind of like the Catacombs in Paris (Catacombes de Paris), a journey through time itself. Revealing some of the most turbulent and intense periods in Paris history. Sparking questions everywhere through my mind and imagination. Where do the tunnels lead? How did it use to look? Did anyone every live down in the tunnels? And more importantly - how does it affect the world today? The stories and secrets I would love to discover. To an intriguing world of darkness that rest quietly beneath the city of Lights. For me and others to tell.

I hope, in some lifetime, to see you soon Paris.

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