These are in no order of importance—just as I’ve jotted them down over the weeks (in fact, some may be repeats). * My only regret is that I didn’t take a day trip—but sometimes, you just run out of energy…
* There are no nail salons on every block or, like in Houston, every couple of storefronts. In fact, I’ve only walked by a couple and they appear to be high-end spas.
* When I access the Internet, many of the pop-up ads are in French. (The instructions and information on my blog site are written in French!) Also, some of the pop-up ads are specifically addressed to people accessing US sites from a foreign country (assuming they are not US citizens). Here’s an example of one that pops up (in English) every time I hit the New York Daily Times website: “Live and work in the USA! Congratulations! You’ve got 1 FREE YEAR! Click here and apply Online for your USA Green Card!” Are you KIDDING me??
* You understand why European women don’t shave their legs after you experience the size of their showers.
* The people riding buses, my LL (landlady) pointed out, are “more quality people than those riding the Metro.” I don’t know if that’s true but I have noticed more older people on buses—I think because there’s only one step to get into and out of a bus—there are MANY steps in and out of the Metro stations.
* The reason I haven’t seen so many entertainers in the Metro—there are regulations now and they must have a picture badge in order to perform (legally). Several years ago, the City of Paris sold a CD including music from some of the Metro’s best performers. And I have heard some good ones (although not the bozo’s hopping on and off the cars between stops—one guy tonight? I can’t even explain—and no picture ID on him!).
*Speaking of buses—I never picked up a bus plan listing all the routes and schedules. I can look at their website but usually I’m in a hurry to just get out there and experience life. So I haven’t become very proficient or efficient about using the buses. I seem to never be able to find the bus stop for my return trip home! I probably also don’t pick the best way (Metro or bus) and route to get someplace.
*Years ago, I noticed that Europeans don’t use washcloths (so I always pack a couple of my own). In the last few years, if they use anything similar to our washcloths, they look like oven mitts! I still prefer good ol’ American washcloths.
* Burgundy-colored hair on women is not as prevalent as it was in the early 2000’s. So I was saved from running into a hair salon to ask for burgundy hair—only to have it turn pink in a week (said Julie, my Houston hairdresser, because my hair is so gray, it would require so much filler…blah, blah, blah).
* The fanciest Starbucks I’ve ever seen—and I’ve visited many in the US and Europe—is near l’Opera Garnier on boulevard des Capucines. It has glass chandeliers hanging from a fancy Versailles-like ceiling, wall mirrors, and purple velvet chairs. Very posh. 
* I’ve only seen one gym/workout place in all my walks around Paris. It is a Club Med Gym on rue Saint Honore—a block off rue de Rivoli, the street next to the Louvre. There’s not a Gold’s Gym or 24-Hour Fitness Center on every street corner like there seems to be in Houston. (Of course, Houston is the fattest city, isn’t it?) I read that there are a total of three Club Med Gyms in Paris—other than those, the Parisians must go to private clubs or the expensive Ritz or Meurice spas. PS - I've since learned that Parisians act no differently in the gym than in a cafe--they see it as another casual way to pass the time. While at the gym, they don't skimp on their fashion, hair, or makeup and there's an espresso machine at the reception desk. Parisians consider the gym as an oversized lounge, a place to chat with friends. Ahh, the French joie de vivre.
* I saw one million dogs to every cat. I may have seen three cats in all the time I was here.
* The Parisians are friendly (see 1/7/07 blog, “Answers to Your Questions”). (At least I never had to hand anyone the “Don’t shoot me; I’m Canadian” card that Jerry Yares sent me before I left Houston!) I can think of only one guy who was short—at l'Opera when Suz asked him if there was any way we could see the stage. His answer: “Non.” We asked two additional people before we found where we could. (But to give him the benefit of the doubt, the door had been closed when we passed by previously so I’m assuming there was a rehearsal.) Oh, and one of the checkers at the grocery store seemed to be annoyed when I didn’t have the correct change—but I had to break those 50s from the cash machine somewhere… Bus drivers, museum employees, little green men, and even guards have been courteous and pleasant to me during my stay—not stingy at all with their Bonjours or Bonne journees. The guard at the top of Notre-Dame even chatted with me when I asked, “Is it ‘C’est beau or c’est belle?” He explained the difference between the feminine and masculine adjectives for ‘beautiful’: “Saint-Chapelle is belle but Paris is beau!!” while throwing his arms out wide to encompass the entire city! I was talking about the view (which is feminine) but I let it go…
* There are no nail salons on every block or, like in Houston, every couple of storefronts. In fact, I’ve only walked by a couple and they appear to be high-end spas.
* When I access the Internet, many of the pop-up ads are in French. (The instructions and information on my blog site are written in French!) Also, some of the pop-up ads are specifically addressed to people accessing US sites from a foreign country (assuming they are not US citizens). Here’s an example of one that pops up (in English) every time I hit the New York Daily Times website: “Live and work in the USA! Congratulations! You’ve got 1 FREE YEAR! Click here and apply Online for your USA Green Card!” Are you KIDDING me??
* You understand why European women don’t shave their legs after you experience the size of their showers.
* The people riding buses, my LL (landlady) pointed out, are “more quality people than those riding the Metro.” I don’t know if that’s true but I have noticed more older people on buses—I think because there’s only one step to get into and out of a bus—there are MANY steps in and out of the Metro stations.
* The reason I haven’t seen so many entertainers in the Metro—there are regulations now and they must have a picture badge in order to perform (legally). Several years ago, the City of Paris sold a CD including music from some of the Metro’s best performers. And I have heard some good ones (although not the bozo’s hopping on and off the cars between stops—one guy tonight? I can’t even explain—and no picture ID on him!).*Speaking of buses—I never picked up a bus plan listing all the routes and schedules. I can look at their website but usually I’m in a hurry to just get out there and experience life. So I haven’t become very proficient or efficient about using the buses. I seem to never be able to find the bus stop for my return trip home! I probably also don’t pick the best way (Metro or bus) and route to get someplace.
*Years ago, I noticed that Europeans don’t use washcloths (so I always pack a couple of my own). In the last few years, if they use anything similar to our washcloths, they look like oven mitts! I still prefer good ol’ American washcloths.
* Burgundy-colored hair on women is not as prevalent as it was in the early 2000’s. So I was saved from running into a hair salon to ask for burgundy hair—only to have it turn pink in a week (said Julie, my Houston hairdresser, because my hair is so gray, it would require so much filler…blah, blah, blah).
* The fanciest Starbucks I’ve ever seen—and I’ve visited many in the US and Europe—is near l’Opera Garnier on boulevard des Capucines. It has glass chandeliers hanging from a fancy Versailles-like ceiling, wall mirrors, and purple velvet chairs. Very posh. 
* I’ve only seen one gym/workout place in all my walks around Paris. It is a Club Med Gym on rue Saint Honore—a block off rue de Rivoli, the street next to the Louvre. There’s not a Gold’s Gym or 24-Hour Fitness Center on every street corner like there seems to be in Houston. (Of course, Houston is the fattest city, isn’t it?) I read that there are a total of three Club Med Gyms in Paris—other than those, the Parisians must go to private clubs or the expensive Ritz or Meurice spas. PS - I've since learned that Parisians act no differently in the gym than in a cafe--they see it as another casual way to pass the time. While at the gym, they don't skimp on their fashion, hair, or makeup and there's an espresso machine at the reception desk. Parisians consider the gym as an oversized lounge, a place to chat with friends. Ahh, the French joie de vivre.
* I saw one million dogs to every cat. I may have seen three cats in all the time I was here.
* The Parisians are friendly (see 1/7/07 blog, “Answers to Your Questions”). (At least I never had to hand anyone the “Don’t shoot me; I’m Canadian” card that Jerry Yares sent me before I left Houston!) I can think of only one guy who was short—at l'Opera when Suz asked him if there was any way we could see the stage. His answer: “Non.” We asked two additional people before we found where we could. (But to give him the benefit of the doubt, the door had been closed when we passed by previously so I’m assuming there was a rehearsal.) Oh, and one of the checkers at the grocery store seemed to be annoyed when I didn’t have the correct change—but I had to break those 50s from the cash machine somewhere… Bus drivers, museum employees, little green men, and even guards have been courteous and pleasant to me during my stay—not stingy at all with their Bonjours or Bonne journees. The guard at the top of Notre-Dame even chatted with me when I asked, “Is it ‘C’est beau or c’est belle?” He explained the difference between the feminine and masculine adjectives for ‘beautiful’: “Saint-Chapelle is belle but Paris is beau!!” while throwing his arms out wide to encompass the entire city! I was talking about the view (which is feminine) but I let it go…
