Around the world, there are many man-made constructions that are considered famous landmarks. Some, like the Great Wall of China, are leftovers from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Others, like Big Ben in London, are more modern than the wall, but still of significant historic importance. Most designate something about their country of origin that the world wants to remember. In France, with a rich history of culture and art, among the most famous landmarks are The Louvre art museum and the Eiffel Tower.
Marvels of ancient science including the pyramids in Egypt and the Great Sphinx as well as the aqueducts and Great Coliseum are among the most famous landmarks in the world. Other historical and famous landmarks include the Parthenon in Greece, Red Square in Moscow, and Westminster Abbey in London.
In recent years, sites have also become famous landmarks because they remind the world of the atrocities that occurred there including Tienamen Square in China and Auschwitz in Germany.
Famous landmarks across the world sometimes become famous because of the developments to international society that occur there, as with the United Nations Building in New York City. Or, it becomes a landmark because society never wants to forget the tragedy and horror of a location, like many battlefields, Ground Zero in New York City and the Nazi prison camps in Germany.
Other famous landmarks are famous simply because they exist and are different from other parts of the world. The Grand Canyon, redwood forests in California, the La Brea Tar pits and various meteor craters around the world fall into this category. These sites are world-famous landmarks because they represent an element of nature not seen often in the remainder of the world.
In the United States, famous landmarks also include monuments made to the nation’s history and progress. Among the most famous are those surrounding Washington D.C., the Vietnam wall, the Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral and, of course, the government buildings including the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon.
Outside of Washington, D.C., landmarks tend to be tied to the history of the region more so than the entire nation, with some notable exceptions including the Statue of Liberty in New York.
For example, one of the most famous national landmarks in the Midwest is the Arch in St. Louis. The Arch was constructed in the 20th century to commemorate the nation’s movement toward westward expansion and the role of the Mississippi River and St. Louis as the gateway to the West.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Landmarks
Most people think of a specific place when they are calling something a landmark. In giving directions, a landmark can be something as simple as Bob’s Gas Station at the corner of Main and Sixth streets, or as complex as the third house on the left after the blue penguin.
Originally, however, the term was meant to use features of geography to give directions. Pioneers might have been able to find safe spots to camp or directions to a water source via landmarks, like a table rock or a cliff shaped like a face. Even a river or stream could be used as a landmark to define how far a person had traveled or what direction they might need to travel in, as in turn north at the Mississippi River.
The key to a useful landmark was that it was something that could be added to a map and that travelers would be unlikely to miss. These were among the first things added to early maps, as it was difficult to measure exact distances. For example, a large cave on the Ohio River was added to maps in the earliest explorations of the continent, long before there was a nation on the North American continent.
Cave-In-Rock, named by a French explorer, was a way for people heading down the river to know how close they were to the juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Later in westward expansion in American history, Pikes Peak in what would become Colorado became an important landmark, as it was the first of the Rocky Mountains visible from the Great Plains.
Landmarks were most important in the days before street signs as a way of finding someplace. In the modern context, landmarks have become defined two ways: First, they are still used to give directions, as in turn left at the fire station and then go to the third driveway on the right.
Second, the term has been modified to mean places of interest. A modern landmark could be anything from a geological formation of great interest, like the Grand Canyon, to a modern art museum. Generally, places designated as a landmark have some historical or geographical importance, but not always.
And, the designation as landmark usually varies by region. A well-known golf course that has been in the same location for fifty years may be a landmark in some regions or some cities may unofficially designate certain buildings as landmarks, perhaps long after they have ceased to be used for the purpose that they once were. These regional designations are most often used when landmarks are being used for the purposes of giving directions not increasing tourism dollars.
Originally, however, the term was meant to use features of geography to give directions. Pioneers might have been able to find safe spots to camp or directions to a water source via landmarks, like a table rock or a cliff shaped like a face. Even a river or stream could be used as a landmark to define how far a person had traveled or what direction they might need to travel in, as in turn north at the Mississippi River.
The key to a useful landmark was that it was something that could be added to a map and that travelers would be unlikely to miss. These were among the first things added to early maps, as it was difficult to measure exact distances. For example, a large cave on the Ohio River was added to maps in the earliest explorations of the continent, long before there was a nation on the North American continent.
Cave-In-Rock, named by a French explorer, was a way for people heading down the river to know how close they were to the juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Later in westward expansion in American history, Pikes Peak in what would become Colorado became an important landmark, as it was the first of the Rocky Mountains visible from the Great Plains.
Landmarks were most important in the days before street signs as a way of finding someplace. In the modern context, landmarks have become defined two ways: First, they are still used to give directions, as in turn left at the fire station and then go to the third driveway on the right.
Second, the term has been modified to mean places of interest. A modern landmark could be anything from a geological formation of great interest, like the Grand Canyon, to a modern art museum. Generally, places designated as a landmark have some historical or geographical importance, but not always.
And, the designation as landmark usually varies by region. A well-known golf course that has been in the same location for fifty years may be a landmark in some regions or some cities may unofficially designate certain buildings as landmarks, perhaps long after they have ceased to be used for the purpose that they once were. These regional designations are most often used when landmarks are being used for the purposes of giving directions not increasing tourism dollars.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
World Landmarks
Travelers around the world often wish to visit well-known landmarks as a way to document their time in a certain country or even as a sort of bragging rights to show off to friends and family when returning home. For example, anyone traveling to Egypt is likely to want photos in the shadow of the Great Pyramids or the Sphinx, rather than a busy modern picture of Cairo.
Likewise, visitors to London will want to see such world-renowned landmarks as Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Visitors to Britain are also likely to want to visit the Tower of London and observe the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
In many ways, these visual landmarks help to define a country. In some cases, they are historic landmarks, like Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, or natural landmarks like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon in North America. In other cases, they are achievements from the country’s history, like the Coliseum of ancient Rome or the Parthenon in Greece.
The unifying factor of world landmarks is that they signify something about the region and draw people to the site. In the United States, the most famous of landmarks is the Statue of Liberty. Though the Statue was a gift from France, the American people and by association the world have come to identify the statue as a sort of representation of the country. Perhaps even more than the Declaration of Independence, it announces tot he world that the United States believes in the pursuit of liberty.
In France, the single best-known landmark is the Eiffel Tower. The tower was built in the late 1880s to signify France’s achievement in engineering and art. Though no longer the tallest building in the world, it stands as a testament to the way the French people think of themselves: progressive, intelligent and surrounded by art.
The Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx testify to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and its ability to stand the test of time. The Parthenon serves as a reminder of both the Greek gods and the birth of democracy.
In China, the Great Wall stands as a reminder that the world’s largest country has long been the victim of outside aggression and has struggled to defend its people. Even the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace in London speaks to the nature of the country, stoic and driven by duty.
World landmarks help define, in the broadest terms, what we believe about the nations that surround us and help us give clarity to history.
Likewise, visitors to London will want to see such world-renowned landmarks as Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Visitors to Britain are also likely to want to visit the Tower of London and observe the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
In many ways, these visual landmarks help to define a country. In some cases, they are historic landmarks, like Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, or natural landmarks like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon in North America. In other cases, they are achievements from the country’s history, like the Coliseum of ancient Rome or the Parthenon in Greece.
The unifying factor of world landmarks is that they signify something about the region and draw people to the site. In the United States, the most famous of landmarks is the Statue of Liberty. Though the Statue was a gift from France, the American people and by association the world have come to identify the statue as a sort of representation of the country. Perhaps even more than the Declaration of Independence, it announces tot he world that the United States believes in the pursuit of liberty.
In France, the single best-known landmark is the Eiffel Tower. The tower was built in the late 1880s to signify France’s achievement in engineering and art. Though no longer the tallest building in the world, it stands as a testament to the way the French people think of themselves: progressive, intelligent and surrounded by art.
The Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx testify to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and its ability to stand the test of time. The Parthenon serves as a reminder of both the Greek gods and the birth of democracy.
In China, the Great Wall stands as a reminder that the world’s largest country has long been the victim of outside aggression and has struggled to defend its people. Even the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace in London speaks to the nature of the country, stoic and driven by duty.
World landmarks help define, in the broadest terms, what we believe about the nations that surround us and help us give clarity to history.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Inns
When you hear the word inn today it probably just makes you think of a hotel. Inns are more than just lodging; they are a special type of lodging that offer a better experience. A traditional inn offers travelers a cozy place to eat, drink, sleep, and have meetings in one conjoined area.
Modern Bed & Breakfast Inns offer more similarities to an inn than a modern hotel. Bed and Breakfasts are usually smaller inns which offer a breakfast in the mornings to their guests. Usually this experience is a more relaxing and restful time than one might expect to have in a hotel. Each of these types of inns have their own special personality; making each one a unique experience to stay at.
Another special part of an inn is the innkeeper. When you stay at an inn you can almost always expect to know the innkeeper by name and have the innkeeper know you by name. Innkeepers excel as hosts and offer personalized hospitality that is hard to come by in other places.
Although bed and breakfast inns are very common across America, most traditional inns are found in Europe. If you are in England you might find a pub that acts as an Inn also. Needless to say these inns are a great place to socialize and get an alcoholic beverage.
Inns are as wonderful as each one is unique. These precious places to stay are not as common as they once were though. High occupancy hotels, cheap motels, and automobiles have all made it more difficult to survive. Do yourself a favor and spend an extra minute finding an Inn next time you travel to have a better experience. The innkeeper will appreciate it!
Modern Bed & Breakfast Inns offer more similarities to an inn than a modern hotel. Bed and Breakfasts are usually smaller inns which offer a breakfast in the mornings to their guests. Usually this experience is a more relaxing and restful time than one might expect to have in a hotel. Each of these types of inns have their own special personality; making each one a unique experience to stay at.
Another special part of an inn is the innkeeper. When you stay at an inn you can almost always expect to know the innkeeper by name and have the innkeeper know you by name. Innkeepers excel as hosts and offer personalized hospitality that is hard to come by in other places.
Although bed and breakfast inns are very common across America, most traditional inns are found in Europe. If you are in England you might find a pub that acts as an Inn also. Needless to say these inns are a great place to socialize and get an alcoholic beverage.
Inns are as wonderful as each one is unique. These precious places to stay are not as common as they once were though. High occupancy hotels, cheap motels, and automobiles have all made it more difficult to survive. Do yourself a favor and spend an extra minute finding an Inn next time you travel to have a better experience. The innkeeper will appreciate it!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Boarding Houses: An Old-Fashioned Tradition
You may or may not be familiar with the phrase, “boarding house”. Also known as a rooming house in the United States, sometimes called a lodging house, the boarding house is phenomenon that dates back to the early 1800s, when farm boys came to the cities in search of work. The young men could find a room, reasonably decent food and can sometimes get their laundry done. In those days, owners of boarding houses took it one step further, offering instruction in the lifestyle of the city, what we today would call the “do’s and don’ts”, and would often take the boarders to church with them.
Today, boarding houses are usually family homes where vacationers can rent a room for one or more nights. The boarders used to share washing, breakfast and dining facilities, but in this modern day, boarding houses have expanded their space to include more private facilities for its boarders. It seems every country has its own version of a boarding house. In the UK, boarding houses are run by landladies who offer the options of bed and breakfast, half-board (bed and breakfast, plus dinner) or full board (bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner). Canada and Australia have versions of boarding houses, and in Japan, the minishuku operates much like the half-board option of the UK homes. In Hawaii, where it is incredibly expensive to live, many take in lodgers who share the cost of the rent or mortgage.
The American boarding house, with its routes in the beginnings of the industrial age, has certainly seen many changes in its time. Often, widowed woman ran these houses. Scorned by their community for earning a wage like their male counterparts, these women were happy to have a domestic way to earn a wage and support their families. As our cities and towns swelled with people looking for opportunity, the needs and accommodations of the boarding house changed with it. From the boarding houses of the 1800’s to the Howard Johnson motels of today, it is part of the human condition to want to help others in need. Those of us who can provide for others do so out of the goodness of our hearts and the understanding of the human spirit. The tradition of boarding houses will no doubt carry on into time immemorial, where people lend a helping hand just because they can. To find out further information about boarding houses, contact your local chamber of commerce or log onto the Internet.
Today, boarding houses are usually family homes where vacationers can rent a room for one or more nights. The boarders used to share washing, breakfast and dining facilities, but in this modern day, boarding houses have expanded their space to include more private facilities for its boarders. It seems every country has its own version of a boarding house. In the UK, boarding houses are run by landladies who offer the options of bed and breakfast, half-board (bed and breakfast, plus dinner) or full board (bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner). Canada and Australia have versions of boarding houses, and in Japan, the minishuku operates much like the half-board option of the UK homes. In Hawaii, where it is incredibly expensive to live, many take in lodgers who share the cost of the rent or mortgage.
The American boarding house, with its routes in the beginnings of the industrial age, has certainly seen many changes in its time. Often, widowed woman ran these houses. Scorned by their community for earning a wage like their male counterparts, these women were happy to have a domestic way to earn a wage and support their families. As our cities and towns swelled with people looking for opportunity, the needs and accommodations of the boarding house changed with it. From the boarding houses of the 1800’s to the Howard Johnson motels of today, it is part of the human condition to want to help others in need. Those of us who can provide for others do so out of the goodness of our hearts and the understanding of the human spirit. The tradition of boarding houses will no doubt carry on into time immemorial, where people lend a helping hand just because they can. To find out further information about boarding houses, contact your local chamber of commerce or log onto the Internet.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Paris Landmarks
The most famous of the Paris landmarks is without a doubt the Eiffel Tower. The tower has become so synonymous with Paris that it has been destroyed in several major motion pictures, including Independence Day, to signify the destruction of Paris and France as a whole.
The tower was constructed between 1887 and 1889 to be the world’s tallest building. It no longer holds that title, but is the most recognizable landmark in France, possibly in all of Europe. The Paris landmark houses a small historical exhibit, detailing the construction and maintenance of the structure, and an ice-skating rink among other things. Visitors can take stairs to a second floor observation post, but to go any higher must take the elevators.
For more than a century, the Eiffel Tower has been repainted every 7 years in a process that takes more than a year to complete and uses a graduated “Eiffel brown” with the lightest brown at the top of the structure and a darker brown at the bottom. In recent year, the committee that oversees the Paris landmark has decided to paint the lower levels of the Tower more often and paint the top of the Eiffel Tower every ten years.
The Arc de Triomphe, constructed under the rule of Napoleon I, is another don’t miss Paris Landmark. The imperial archway was Napoleon I’s attempt to make Paris as grand as ancient Rome and is among the city’s oldest and most well known landmarks.
Also popular among Paris landmarks is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where Victor Hugo set his famous novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. The Cathedral is renowned for its historical role in France and for its bell towers, home to the fictional Quasimodo.
No visit to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Louvre, the most famous art museum in the world and home to great works of art including the Mona Lisa. And, Americans visiting Paris may want to visit the smaller sister of their own Statue of Liberty, a replica of which stands along the Seine River in Paris. The replica is one of two smaller statues the French made while constructing the American Statue of Liberty as a gift to the United States for its centennial in 1876.
Other attractions in the Paris area include the former home of kings, the Palace at Versailles and the Bastille, the infamous prison where French citizens were involuntarily kept during the French Revolution.
The tower was constructed between 1887 and 1889 to be the world’s tallest building. It no longer holds that title, but is the most recognizable landmark in France, possibly in all of Europe. The Paris landmark houses a small historical exhibit, detailing the construction and maintenance of the structure, and an ice-skating rink among other things. Visitors can take stairs to a second floor observation post, but to go any higher must take the elevators.
For more than a century, the Eiffel Tower has been repainted every 7 years in a process that takes more than a year to complete and uses a graduated “Eiffel brown” with the lightest brown at the top of the structure and a darker brown at the bottom. In recent year, the committee that oversees the Paris landmark has decided to paint the lower levels of the Tower more often and paint the top of the Eiffel Tower every ten years.
The Arc de Triomphe, constructed under the rule of Napoleon I, is another don’t miss Paris Landmark. The imperial archway was Napoleon I’s attempt to make Paris as grand as ancient Rome and is among the city’s oldest and most well known landmarks.
Also popular among Paris landmarks is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where Victor Hugo set his famous novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. The Cathedral is renowned for its historical role in France and for its bell towers, home to the fictional Quasimodo.
No visit to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Louvre, the most famous art museum in the world and home to great works of art including the Mona Lisa. And, Americans visiting Paris may want to visit the smaller sister of their own Statue of Liberty, a replica of which stands along the Seine River in Paris. The replica is one of two smaller statues the French made while constructing the American Statue of Liberty as a gift to the United States for its centennial in 1876.
Other attractions in the Paris area include the former home of kings, the Palace at Versailles and the Bastille, the infamous prison where French citizens were involuntarily kept during the French Revolution.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bed and Breakfasts: An Old and Cozy Tradition
If you have ever gone on vacation, you know there can be an endless array of choices about where to stay. Hotels, motels and inns are just a few of the choices. Another is the bed and breakfast. Bed and Breakfasts are built on the model of an old-fashioned boarding house, where the owners of the establishment also live at the establishment and serve their guests, who stay in private rooms but meet and eat communally. Many people consider this to be a charming business to own, and actively seek out large old Victorian homes to be used for this purpose.
Most Bed and Breakfasts can handle less than 15 guests, so reservations must be made far in advance to guarantee your room will be available. Guests typically stay for a specified period of time in a beautifully appointed room which may or may not have a private bath, and they are served scrumptious homemade, family style breakfasts each morning. The Bed and Breakfast may employ additional staff, who may be family members of the owner.
Generally speaking, those who choose to stay in a Bed and Breakfast are not planning to stay around the establishment throughout the day, but rather have plans to see the sights. With many Bed and Breakfasts located in the mountains, at the beach or on tropical islands, there is no shortage of beautiful and fun things to see and do. Most Bed and Breakfasts afford the traveler the opportunity to see and do things that are more unusual than the average sightseeing.
The idea of bed and breakfast establishments goes back into the 20th century, where it was acceptable for travelers to rest for the evening at private homes rather than finding an inn to stay at. However, in that time period it was important to concede rank and stay in the home of someone in your perceived class. You would not find a doctor staying with a barkeeper.
The bed and breakfasts of today make a point of bringing back the warmth and splendor of earlier times. People book rooms at Inns because they want to be pampered a bit, and know that is what they will receive. It’s also a chance to communally meet with other travelers and perhaps have the opportunity to make some new friends along your journey.
Most Bed and Breakfasts can handle less than 15 guests, so reservations must be made far in advance to guarantee your room will be available. Guests typically stay for a specified period of time in a beautifully appointed room which may or may not have a private bath, and they are served scrumptious homemade, family style breakfasts each morning. The Bed and Breakfast may employ additional staff, who may be family members of the owner.
Generally speaking, those who choose to stay in a Bed and Breakfast are not planning to stay around the establishment throughout the day, but rather have plans to see the sights. With many Bed and Breakfasts located in the mountains, at the beach or on tropical islands, there is no shortage of beautiful and fun things to see and do. Most Bed and Breakfasts afford the traveler the opportunity to see and do things that are more unusual than the average sightseeing.
The idea of bed and breakfast establishments goes back into the 20th century, where it was acceptable for travelers to rest for the evening at private homes rather than finding an inn to stay at. However, in that time period it was important to concede rank and stay in the home of someone in your perceived class. You would not find a doctor staying with a barkeeper.
The bed and breakfasts of today make a point of bringing back the warmth and splendor of earlier times. People book rooms at Inns because they want to be pampered a bit, and know that is what they will receive. It’s also a chance to communally meet with other travelers and perhaps have the opportunity to make some new friends along your journey.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Bed and Breakfast Guides
There are as many guides to bed and breakfasts as there are bed and breakfasts! If you are planning a trip and have decided a bed and breakfast is the way to go, you will not have any trouble finding exactly what you want. A simple Internet search is all you need to get started. http://www.theinnkeeper.com/ tells us that they are ‘a comprehensive worldwide listing of bed and breakfasts, country inns, guest houses, lodges, cabins, historic hotels, small resorts, guest ranches, farmhouse accommodations, and working farm and ranch vacations.” Who knew there were so many choices? From New Orleans to Napa Valley to Eastern Tennessee, this site has an amazing number of choices available.
Another good choice for research on your bed and breakfast stay is Pamela Lanier’s web site, http://www.lanierbb.com/, where you can find lists of places to stay as well as famous recipes from famous bed and breakfasts and advice from Pamela Lanier herself, a renowned traveler. This site lists over 45,000 choices for where to stay.
Many travelers’ guides offer information on bed and breakfasts that you will find invaluable in your planning. Just be sure the guidebook you are using is up to date so you have all the most recent information available to you, and don’t use guidebooks that seem to push specific accommodations or places to eat, as some guidebooks have “hidden agendas.”
If your interest lies more in the realm of historic inns, try researching your choices on http://www.iloveinns.com/. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful country inn, a romantic bed and breakfast, or an exciting metropolitan area, this site can point you in the right direction.
If you love bed and breakfasts so much you want to start your own, there’s even a guide for that! According to those who do, it’s a fabulous job where you meet fabulous people from all over the world, and there are many tax benefits. In fact, an Internet search yields many books for sale that will help you understand the business. Of course one of the keys to success is making it easy for people to find you, and you can do this by making sure you are listed in the many bed and breakfast guides available on the Internet, including the few we mentioned. There are several bookstores that sell bed and breakfast guides but if you do not want to leave the comfort of your home, search on the Internet for further information.
Another good choice for research on your bed and breakfast stay is Pamela Lanier’s web site, http://www.lanierbb.com/, where you can find lists of places to stay as well as famous recipes from famous bed and breakfasts and advice from Pamela Lanier herself, a renowned traveler. This site lists over 45,000 choices for where to stay.
Many travelers’ guides offer information on bed and breakfasts that you will find invaluable in your planning. Just be sure the guidebook you are using is up to date so you have all the most recent information available to you, and don’t use guidebooks that seem to push specific accommodations or places to eat, as some guidebooks have “hidden agendas.”
If your interest lies more in the realm of historic inns, try researching your choices on http://www.iloveinns.com/. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful country inn, a romantic bed and breakfast, or an exciting metropolitan area, this site can point you in the right direction.
If you love bed and breakfasts so much you want to start your own, there’s even a guide for that! According to those who do, it’s a fabulous job where you meet fabulous people from all over the world, and there are many tax benefits. In fact, an Internet search yields many books for sale that will help you understand the business. Of course one of the keys to success is making it easy for people to find you, and you can do this by making sure you are listed in the many bed and breakfast guides available on the Internet, including the few we mentioned. There are several bookstores that sell bed and breakfast guides but if you do not want to leave the comfort of your home, search on the Internet for further information.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The wonderful world of Paris France!
Though it is called the "City of Lights" I call it the "City of Love" There is something about the city that you can describe to anyone who hasn't been there, and the only time you hear negative about the city it is from people who haven't experienced the splendor of "La ville d'amour" The cafes, the bridges, the sites, and rush of the city just engulf you. When I was 22 I had the privilege of calling Paris my home. Though I was there for a short time I actually figured out who I was. I bought a plane ticket, found an apartment (two streets over from the Eiffel Tower) and found a french immersion class. 8 hours a day learning the most beautiful language ever. Not only did I live there, on January 9th 2008 the love of my life proposed on the Eiffel Tower at sunset. That my friends is romantic. It was my dream proposal. I have such a connection to that city that I cant describe in English.
I guess I would say the number one thing you hear is the French don't like Americans. I would say that is only half true. I believe they don't like the Americans that go over there expecting it to actually BE America! Are you kidding me? Let's review just 2 complaints I hear from those specific type of Americans...
1. "The service isn't good or fast"
All I have to say to that is ENJOY LIFE!!! It is not a McDonald's culture over there. It isn't a race to see who can eat the fastest. You are supposed to enjoy the food, each bite, savor the flavors of French food. And just because the waiter isn't over asking you ever 5 seconds if you want more water doesn't mean they are rude...they actually believe they are bothering you by coming up to you all the time. You are supposed to get your meal and enjoy it, if you need something just call them over. Also remember they aren't working for tips...you don't tip there. They get paid their salary and go home. All you have to do is realise it is a different culture and go with it.
2. "The French are just rude in general, and they aren't willing to help you"
LEARN THE LANGUAGE! I am not saying be fluent but if you learn how to say "hello", "goodbye", "thank you" etc. Then they respect you that much more. Imagine you own a store, a mom and pop shop, it is your life and a foreign person walks in and starts talking in their language and them getting upset that you don't understand them and conform to them. Does not make sense does it? All the mom and pop shops are owned by regular people and that is their life, it is like their home. When you enter someones home here you say hello and greet them, when you leave you say goodbye and you thank them for their time. Simple and polite right?
If you just remember these few things when you go you will have a different view of the French, they are great people and are willing to help if you need it. I have an idea, let's have a few "French words of the day"
1. Hello -- Bonjour
2. Goodbye -- Au revoir or Salut
3. Thank you -- Merci
4. I love you -- Je T'aime
There you go, that should get you started. Just walking the streets, taking the metro, stopping for a drink at a Bistro, walking in the parks, getting a baguette sandwich to go, going to Monmartre (The artist district) Hearing and seeing the little french kids play, watching families actually playing together at the park, the beautiful people you see, Seeing a play, the shopping, the picnic's, the music...it is what life is all about. It is something EVERYONE must experience once in their life at least, and trust me you will be hooked. Let me know when you are going, I will go with you!
Until next time everyone...
Au revoir!
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