Spending $12 on a mediocre scotch whiskey is something I probably won't be doing again very soon. But that's what 8 Euros converts to - $12. I suspect that not that many Americans will be traveling to Europe over the next year or so. Travel the other way - from Europe - will be strong as this country has become a bargain basement.
Contrast the experience of Americans with that of Orientals. Half the passengers in the plane from Paris to London were Oriental and were weighed down with packages. About 30-40% of the guests at our hotel in Paris were from Japan, China, etc.
Hell is traveling by airplane. An inner circle of hell can be found at Heathrow. Purgatory is a buffet breakfast at a popular 1000 room hotel.
Paris may just be the most beautiful city in the world. Is it because they seem to have been civic-minded for centuries? At the same time, the police have to accompany firefighters to some some sections of Paris.
Boating on the Rhine is a lot more interesting than boating on the Rhone.
Observing a true business team at a 50-seat bistro, Le Paradis on Rue du Maine in Paris. Whoever was free cleaned the tables. The bartender served drinks at your table. The owner delivered the meal. The waitress made drinks. Someone just automatically did whatever had to be done at that moment. Best of all was the price: a three course lunch with a carafe of wine for $55 including tip, a complementary Sangria to start and a complementary brandy to end.
The lack of SUVs and the predominance of small vehicles. I guess gas at $8 a gallon may have some effect on what we drive.
A true vacation, as I hardly ever thought about our 21st century world. Now, it's back to the salt mines.
1 comment:
It's taken me a while to catch up with you, and I'm really happy you enjoyed my favorite city, Paris. Sadly, the strikes and riots are returning. It's hardly surprising with someone like Sarkozy at the helm. He'll have a hard time persuading the French unions to go his way. And I'm not sure it's right for France that they should. Cafe staff must be some of the hardest workers in Paris, yet they always seem cheerful and really appear to enjoy their work, and are pleased to serve you - unlike many in Britain, and even occasionally in America.
It's good to have you back, even though it may not be so good to be back.
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