GENERAL OBSERVATIONS #3

Having travelled through the South of France, to Paris and on to Burgundy, it is apparent there is a noticeable adherence to regional culinary choices. You eat a lot of seafood in the south, escargots in Burgundy and Andiollete and Lyonaisse sausage in Lyon. Our next destination Strasbourg will have a German influence.

French biscuits are yummy.  It must be the butter.  People eat late.  More than one course is the norm and restaurant bathroom facilities are usually shared ~ "Toilettes Mixtes".  From my observances kitchen staff frequently have a migrant background (African or Algerian) but waiters are home grown.  Vaping is everywhere as is smoking, frequently at the adjoining table.  

Restaurants named Le Parisian are everywhere but less frequently in Paris.  Our favourite name was Le Petite Glouton aka The Little Glutton.  When your meal is finished you should call your waiter and say "L'addition s'il vous plait" and they will present you with the bill.  If you run all the words together you may get your bill quicker.  French waiters and waitresses have the uncanny ability to be turning the opposite way the moment you want their attention.

I usually feel pretty safe in France despite pickpockets because security is visibly enforced. It is not unusual for soldiers armed to the teeth to patrol with their fingers on their machine gun triggers.  My favourite was a SNCF (railway) officer who could have been the inspiration for the Sontarans in Dr Who. As wide as he was tall with a bullet head.

We have the canny ability to travel from Gares (railway stations) where road facilitities are constantly being improved for your convenience.  I must return when this is achieved.

The funicular aka chain made our Lyon stay most pleasant. I couldn't have walked up that hill to our hotel.  If you intend to visit Les Halles in Lyon, don't plan on a Monday.  It's shut!  However the Quay markets along the river Saone are open if you are in the market for bric-a-brac, textiles or apparel.

French children are generally well behaved and very cute.  Their elders however are frequently seen to be kissing and hugging. French couples are outwardly romantic no matter the age. The French are well dressed as a rule, but have a penchant for wearing T-shirts with stupid slogans e.g. "Enjoy your problem".

Dogs are well loved but small and ugly.

The Northern Hemisphere sky's are remarkably free of stars.

If you intend to cross the road LOOK RIGHT!