Tuesday, April 30th, 2019

Back to Seattle, today. Amazing how a month can fly right by. I went for a coffee at my usual Cafe de Paris stop and then walked down the street to get on the RER B to the airport. Fortunately I scheduled a 1:10pm flight, so no need to depart at the crack of dawn. Airport was in pretty mellow shape and met a friend for coffee before heading to the gate. Usual issues with trying to upgrade a seat, and then arguing my way into the Air France lounge. Flight was easy and in an old but comfortable airplane, run by Air France. Very nice flight attendants, and some decent Croze Hermitage to drink. So, my friend Emi asked me What do you like about France and what don’t you like? As I’ve thought about that for a week it’s kind of a big question. The “don’t likes” come easily to mind. The “likes” are more challenging, partly because they are so intrinsic that I don’t think about them: Great transit, lots of walking, great parks, wonderful cafe terraces, friendly people, interesting sights, good wine, good food and so on. Before I left, one of the books I was reading said that the French are more interested in “Being” than in acquiring things etc. I really thought about this on the trip, and it really is nice to just sit somewhere with a glass of wine and just soak in the universe rather than feel a go go mentality all of the time. On the don’t likes, Customer (lack of) service, bureaucracy, menu sameness, lack of vegetables. Rigid rules. (The French love rules, which of course are meant for other people not for themselves). Complete lack of personal spatial awareness (only person in the universe syndrome). Under staffed restaurants. Bathrooms (lack thereof in places like airports and train stations) and plumbing! Ticket machines. European Washing machines (shortest run time 80minutes!) and appliances (controls are label in strange hieroglyphics). I could go on, but I still love France!

RER on the way to the Airport, CDG. About 12 euros and 40 minutes.Rental apartment, St. Germain 6th floor Studio. (With elevator!). This pix shows electric toilet, very delicate see sign on washing machine.

Here’s a quick look at how much walking I did during the trip. Those of you with iPhones can check your health app for comparison.