If the drivers in Paris are maniacs, the scooter and motorcycle riders have death wishes. “Traffic lights? We don’t need no stinking traffic lights!” (Of course, they say it in French.) The prudent pedestrian looks both ways and prays when the walk light comes on.
Tag: travel
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/29/speaking-of-maniacs/
May 29
Two Days, Four (Give or Take) Shrines
Wednesday we hit three shrines: Two religious and one secular. We got up early to stand on line to enter Sainte-Chapelle. This church is two blocks away from Notre Dame. It’s also older and smaller than its neighbor. The entrance to Sainte-Chapelle is shared with the Palace of Justice. Our line progressed much faster than …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/29/two-days-four-give-or-take-shrines/
May 26
Ah, Paris!
We arrived in Paris in the early afternoon. We applied several lessons learned from our previous trip here four years ago: Always buy Métro tickets from a human being rather than a machine; Ignore any solicitations; and Build up your upper body strength before the trip so you can haul your suitcases upstairs. The French …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/26/ah-paris/
May 26
The Paris Bike Culture
You don’t see as many bikes on main streets in Paris as you do in Amsterdam. There’s a simple reason: The drivers are maniacs! Nobody wants to be somebody’s hood ornament. Cyclists tend to stick to side streets where they have a better chance of survival.
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/26/the-paris-bike-culture/
May 25
Onward to Paris
We hopped a Thalys high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. Our seats were in a car with free Wi-Fi and food. Having flown cheapo US airlines for too long, I expected the usual peanuts or pretzels. Wrong! Shortly after we got on the train in Amsterdam, we had the choice of a savory or sweet …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/onward-to-paris/
May 25
No Comment Necessary
Amsterdam has a reputation as a pretty freewheeling city, between the cannabis and red-light district. Here’s another example, a poster we saw on our way to the train station.
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/no-comment-necessary/
May 25
Amsterdam Impressions
We spent two days in Amsterdam, commuting by train from Kitty’s home in Zaandam. Amsterdam is very easy to get around, thanks to the transit system and the layout around the canals. There was a huge influx of visitors due to the Whitsuntide (Pentecost) holidays. Although many stores are closed on Sundays, a large number …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/amsterdam-impressions/
May 25
First Stop – Netherlands
We visited the Amsterdam area for the first time in over 20 years. We stayed with Julian’s cousin, Kitty. She lives on a river in Zaandam, a suburb of Amsterdam. You can see a series of latter-day (electricity-generating) windmills from the windows of her condo. Not quite as picturesque as the original ones, but they …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/first-stop-netherlands/
May 25
The Bike Cult in Holland
Seattle’s bike culture has nothing on the Netherlands. Bikes are a main transportation option, and not just for the Spandex warriors. Most of the bikes resemble 1960’s-vintage Schwinns–single speed, covered chains, heavy frames, upright handlebars, fenders, and kickstands. Many are customized to carry cargo and/or kids. Most of the bikes are step-through, and it’s not …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/the-bike-cult-in-holland/
May 25
The Amsterdam Coffee Shop Culture
I know what some of you are thinking: “Dude, you visited Amsterdam…” Yes, we did. (I’ve had more traffic from that one post on the Seattle pot shop than anything else. What does this say about web surfers these days?) Here is a product we saw at the Flower Market. Imagine the US Customs officer …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/the-amsterdam-coffee-shop-culture/
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