h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The hidden postings probably mean that there is no French-speaking Moderator on duty right now - I know that's the case when I try to post in Swedish - sometimes I get away with, and sometimes not!*shrugs*

Peta said there is currently no way they can direct specific postings to specific Moderators...*sighs*

Sounds great!

I don't often get up the ol' Tour Eiffel these days, although on clear day it's always nice for the view. Even better is the Sacré-Coeur steps though; great view from up there!

Good to have some friends to be able to visit Paris with, especially, I think. From what you say, the Marais sounds like the highlight of the w/end - it's great around there. Not that I am *Mr.Paris* or anything, I actually don't get there (apart from my station run) very often at all.

So, speak the lingo at all while you were over there?


seeya
spiff

Just got back from Paris, we are thinking of begining to think about moving to France! Lots of advice required!

Thinking about moving to France

, just joking...

Where do you want to go and why? Kaz

I've been to Paris a couple of times with my family, although we have no close family there so it is harder than elsewhere in France. Being a family of four children, we did not go into the Louvre, althoough we did dally for a while at the fountain in the courtyard, it being a hot day and all. We've been up the Eiffel Tower, as well as the Arc de Triomphe, and along the Champs-Elysees. We've never really had a chance to take in the whole city, though.

Hi Whisky
although I have only been to France 5 times, there are many things I prefer about the country. To me, it is an adult country, which treats its citizens as adults. First thing we noticed when w arrived back in Heathrow, was a coffee cup, warning that the coffee maybe hot. Both England and US appear to cater for the lowest denominator, in their pandaring to the litigious mind set, I believe that would never happen in France.

I could be wrong!

I would miss the countryside and the seaside here, but then I would have easier access to other countries.

My French needs great improvement, and we need to visit more and learn more about the country. But its always great to go there, I feel safer there, scary police with giant guns! I prefer the atmosphere, the ability to get a drink anytime, the better shops. Bakers here are rubbish, the average patisserie in Franch is far superior to any bakers, and the same for most of the shops.

What do you think, do I have a tourists view of France, or have I hit on something! I would love to hear more about your experiences there.

France does have beautiful countryside, a great diversity too. I think the problem would be were to settle, there are so many lovely areas to choose from. The thing that always strikes me though is how little regard they have for it, huge retail sites suddenly loom at you miles from anywhere!

The French couple we met up with where saying that they are beginning to have problems with their Health Service too; shortage of trained staff leading to bed closures etc. Also they said that the education system was not all it was. So in reality there probably isn't much difference between our countries.

I totally agree on the food front though! The hotel we stayed at was in the same square as Fouchon, the Parisian equivalent to Fortnum & Mason's, foodie heaven. The patisseries and boulangeries knock spots off our local baker.

'Allo!

As far as I recall, I still speak a good bit of French - a bit hard to practice in Copenhagen, though...

A few years back (euphemism - about 15, in fact) I stayed in France for 6 months with my significant other and we followed some courses in French for foreigners - to learn a little and (mainly) get together with loads of other foreigners (to France). !

I still get the chance to speak some now & then - work related or on holidays. Been to Paris about a half dozen times - love the city! - and lastly a week in Provence last May. Now *that's* a plce I could live in...!

!

'Allo!

As far as I recall, I still speak a good bit of French - a bit hard to practice in Copenhagen, though...

A few years back (euphemism - about 15, in fact) I stayed in France for 6 months with my significant other and we followed some courses in French for foreigners - to learn a little and (mainly) get together with loads of other foreigners (to France). !

I still get the chance to speak some now & then - work related or on holidays. Been to Paris about a half dozen times - love the city! - and lastly a week in Provence last May. Now *that's* a plce I could live in...!

!

browser or connection!

The main difference I have noticed is that, in France (as well as much of the rest of the continent) everything is art. Food, drink (wine), sport, politics, clothes. It's all done with an artistic mindset. This also means that they have a much greater appreciation for the artistic, the 'beautiful'. In this country, we often rely on someone to tell us such things, then trust them about it.
Thus, we traditionally leave the thinking to someone else, and get them to warn us, whereas Continentals think for themselves.
Am I on the right track?

Juste Bob, you have hit the nail on the head, admittedly, I'm fairly new to this French lark, but thats how I perceive them too.

I find Paris is very non-green, I miss front gardens and trees. They do have their parks, but not the amount of greenery I am used to. I guess that it is probably quite different in the suburbs?

Does anyone know anything about the crime rates, they are rising in Croydon, and I felt a lot safer in Paris. Probably due to the police with big guns, but is it safer in practice?

The thing about crime rates is that if you don't see crime happening, then it isn't apparent. It's the reports in the papers that tell you its happening and make you feel insecure.

We felt perfectly safe wandering around the Marais and Bastille areas, but for all we knew a mugging could be happening a street away.

I never feel in danger in London. But on the other hand, I keep a firm grip on my bag, never use my mobile in the street and am careful about using cash machines. I do the same where ever I am.

i have never been to france but i flew over it once. it was noticable that both germany anf france (which is where i flew) were the same colour. when we got over england it was a really bright green and somewhat of a shock.

FABT

salut!

I've only ever spent one day in France, which is a bit depressing...I lived in Belgium for six months though!

I /love/ the French Revolution - been to see your project Spiff

Has anyone noticed the different style of buildings in France? They have a lot more whitewashed buildings and slate rooves. Altogether, even if I had lost my memory or something, I could tell by looking out of a car window whether I am in England or France.

I personally don't think there is so much fundamental difference between the English and the French. I certainly don't agree that the French govt treats the people more as adults than in the UK.

Generally, I think it is unreliable to try to judge the differences between nations unless you have a real inside view of both sides of the story.

I do agree however that there are visible physical differences, both in urban centres and in the countryside. I love the point about flying over Europe giving a wonderful view of the different landscape.

Can't stay long, got to get a guinness in before closing time.

A+
speef

It's been the best part of 2 months since anything stirred on this thread...

...obviously no great need for it, I guess...

...

spiff

nah, we're all just hungover

FABT

And it's all been happening over here recently, so there's no excuse!

Now ol' Jacquot is everyone's favourite republican again, Zizou and Les Bleus are getting ready to whip the rest of the world at footy again, and in the meantime the actual *government* is not to be elected until mid-June.

Meanwhile my adopted home of Strasbourg is on the evening news for a community action to rid the neighbourhood of hookers by taking to the streets. Some brandish banners with 'Your Registration on the Web!' emblazoned on them. it's pretty cool.

I visited the European Parliament building here recently - open day for the occasion of one of the many May bank holidays in France. Cool building anyway. Definitely material for an entry, in fact...

*mental note about the EPB*

seeya
spiff