24 Hour Nothing

Upon returning to the US, you realize that we really like to work.  Closing is a special thing that only some businesses do only on holidays and wee hours in the night.  Conversely, opening is the rarity in France.

Do you want something after 7PM?  Sure you do.  Better know the one place in all of Paris that opens after that oppressive hour.

Conversely, if you are running out at the insane hour of 10PM, you can probably still buy most what you want and everything you need in the US.

Ironically, museums have late nights.  Restaurants stay open relatively late.  You can find a place to drink at any point of the night.

Maybe it is expected to use some of the many vacation days for shopping?  Or maybe, just maybe, the French have their priorities straight.

Cheers.

All Aboard

Your life is a train.  People get on and off.  Most of the time you have little control over who possesses a ticket or their destination.

In nowhere do you find this truer than in the expat community.

There are myriads of extraordinary and fascinating people passing through Paris.  Most everyone is on a journey to find something – and mostly it is something about themselves.  Each person has a story offering if you have a willing ear.  There is a fire hose of experience only requiring the time to drink.

For expats, many things are brand new.  And you find others willing to share, help, and listen.  It is truly an honor to meet so many fine and varied examples of humanity.

Here is hoping that the ride will stay good and last long.

Wurzburg

In Germany, there exists a lovely town with a gorgeous river overlooked by a hilltop castle.  The resemblance is a smaller Prague.  Its name is Wurzburg.


Thankful is the person who has friends in many places.  If not for some chance encounters, Wurzburg could be just another unknown European city.  What a tragedy this could have been.


Germany, in general, offers many contrasts to their French neighbors.  Beer, being more the beverage of choice, is elevated to levels of craftsmanship the French spend on wines.  The food is surprisingly underrated, and unlike Paris, easier on your wallet.  Coffee comes in normal quantities.


The town is dotted with many Cathedrals and central European architecture.  There is a gorgeous palace dating back to the Holy Roman Empire rebuilt after it was almost completed destroyed during WWII.  Sadly, there are no pictures of the inside.  Das ist verboten.


The highlight of the trip was found walking through the nearby forest preserve.  In the middle resides a beer garden as your reward for your days hike.  In fact, the only way to get there is to hike, cars are not allowed.  The food was excellent, and of course, the beer was fresh and delicious.


On a side note, train travel is quite nice.  It gives one an opportunity to finish work, right, read, while watching the countryside flash by you.  Even better, you can wash everything down with a beverage.  In short, a great way to view a foreign landscape while moving towards your goal.