Saturday, August 30, 2014

Back in "business"

Just returned from my vacation in Paris. Hotel de Crillon was closed for renovations, Ritz had limited availability also due to renovation, so I had to settle for The Peninsula ;)


Here are a few impressions and observations, while still fresh.
  • taxis only take cash; ride from the airport to Paris center is about 60 euro and takes about 50 minutes;
  • the lowest cost Starbucks coffee is twice as expensive as here, at about $4.5 (3 euro), but still a lot cheaper than the "cafe creme" at Les Deux Magots or Cafe de Flore;
  • cheques are still used for grocery shopping (!);
  • the fixed air conditioning units (installed outside the windows) are probably not allowed, since they would really spoil the beauty of the buildings; posters are also forbidden, though I saw some "pixel art" placed high (that is, hard to remove) on some buildings;


  • one can actually live on and retire from a job as waiter or hotel concierge;
  • tipping in restaurants or for services is not a habit;
  • selling padlocks around famous places is big business;
  • Lacoste has a "lab" which also makes beautiful bicycles (this may be of interest to Justin :)
  • great Star Wars animatronics in DisneyLand Paris;




  • charging stations for electric cars;
  • and finally, a (probably expensive) clock :)



2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Nick.
      I will send you a HDSP kit as soon as I get the display.
      I'm sure you will come up with a nice dock/stand/enclosure for it.

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