Observations on Paris

Paris has grown on us.  The day we arrived, we took a hot, graffiti-laden subway to our apartment.  The ticket machine at the Metro didn't take my credit card, and Renae had a gang of teenage girls try to scam her at the station.



However, every day we're enjoying Paris more.  Here are some of our observations so far:

Ruth and Leah in front of a Smart Car on the street with the Monoprix

• Paris is a very walkable city.  So far, each of us has only used 2 Metro tickets each day to get to central Paris and back to our apartment near the Pont de Neuilly Metro stop.
• We can't seem to get out of the apartment before 9:30 a.m.  However, we don't get back until nearly 8 p.m. at night for dinner.  One benefit is that we miss rush hour on the Metro.
• The streets are small and so are the cars.  A Smart car looks like a mid-size sedan.
• People are much more inclined to walk against a don't walk sign here than in London.
• Pickpocketing is a major problem.  The French solution is to post signs at the major tourist attractions.
• There are more Americans in Paris than in London--especially at the Eiffel Tower.  No matter what the state of the American economy is, Americans dream of going to Paris
• I can't tell a person's nationality by looking at him or her.  At the Monoprix, the employees ask me questions in French.  (I assume my dress screams middle-aged American dad).  People I assume are American or English speak French.  Folks who look German to me speak English.
• The combo Washer/Dryer units are nearly worthless.  We've had these in both London and Paris.  It takes nearly 4 hours to wash and hours to dry 10 pieces or clothing.  Either we're missing something or the Europeans have been sold a bill of goods on these machines.
• Paris is as expensive as London for eating out.  In London, we were able to find meals for £8-£10.  Around here, the cheapest meals advertised outside the restuarants are €12-€15 per person.
• IKEA owns the vacation rental market around the world.  Ok, that's an exaggeration, but we've seen the same IKEA items in this apartment as in the one in London.
• Cheque Dejeuner - I've seen this listed on the windows of several restuarants and cafes in central Paris.  This is a voucher given by employers to their employees to use to purchase lunch.  What a fantastic work benefit.
• Parisians love their dogs, and their dogs love to crap.  I haven't seen as much dog doo in central Paris, but we have to be careful walking in this area--especially in the park near here.  For whatever reasons, Parisians don't think it's their "duty" to pick up after their dogs.