Paris

Here are some things I have noticed while in Paris:

the Parisian people dress really well. There is a reason this is a center for style.

An American can get by pretty well with two words: "bonjour" and "merci"

If there is German television--even just American movies with German voice overs--Greg will watch it....and he'll watch French television and British television. Especially if they are playing some kind of sports...even ping pong. Who knew?

If someone looks you straight in the eye and speaks French very rapidly with lots of hand motions, they will stop if you return their actions with a look of utter confusion. It has worked for me several times in the past few days.

You have to let the street toilettes go through a self-washing cycle after the person ahead of you is done. Do not try to go into one until the wash cycle is complete. Once inside, you'll have to wing it, cuz all the instructions are in French.

If you are on the Metro at a station in Paris and a man comes on the intercom speaking French and when he's done all the people around you sigh and quickly exit the Metro, you should exit, too. Especially if some of his words sound like French versions of "security" and "police".

The French are ok with showing bare breasts in public. They are on billboards, on the sides of cars, on Magazine covers, in store windows and anywhere you can imagine...although you probably shouldn't...imagine, that is.

Do not walk into a French grocery store with cheese on your grocery list. There are simply too many to choose from. It is not possible to narrow it down and choose just one. The only option is to find a cheese variety pack. Even still, good luck. You will wish you had gotten more.

French bakeries are as good as you've heard. Trust that.

Everything is more expensive in Euros.

Location:Paris