Paris Chronicals - by Curry Princess

- taxicab drivers care more about American Politics than Americans do
- generally speaking, everyone here hopes Kerry will win the election
- I spoke in front of a French audience for the first time, accepted a bronze award for our Web site, felt like I won an emmy...really...we were video taped, and thanked people on a mic...
- save your metro tickets, even AFTER you're on the metro. I almost got eaten by a metro door because I threw mine away and tried to go through before the door closed. Unfortunately, I'm not as quick as I used to be
- the metro system is so efficient! When visiting paris, I think everyone should use the metro.
- also, bring an umbrella. you never know when it's going to rain.
- bring sugar, (only kidding, but be ready to ask for it) they call American coffee 'black water' here. French expresso tastes like sandpaper.
- be prepared to have long meals...people actually enjoy their meals here...appetizers, dessert and coffee, the whole deal.
- contrary to popular belief, my experience (fourth time now) is that the French are extremely friendly and accomodating. More so than American are to foreighners.
- The French (unlike some Wisconsinites) could tell immedietely that I'm Indian
- Paris is a very diverse city - there are people from the Nordic regions, India, Asia...everywhere...
- Desserts are to die for!!!!
- Everyone is beautiful...girls are naturally beautiful, they don't even wear make up half the time, and they're skinny and tall...the guys...oh my goodness...

Toll free - not so toll free in France

I tried to dial an 800 number and got the most confusing message ...finally decided to look it up on the net..
In case you ever try to dial an 800 number in France, here is the proper convention:
- instead of 800, dial 00 1 880
- instead of 877, dial 00 1 882
- instead of 888, dial 00 1 881

800 numbers are only toll free in US and Canada.

Do you believe in magic?

Well, I do! Let me explain. I'm in Paris right now (on business), yes, my fourth time (I know, poor me.) So, really, I've done it all...been to all the sites , etc. I was dreading going out to dinner ... BY MYSELF...felt like such a loser...I found a small diner, took a Fortune magazine and Wa-la! (as the French would say) I was fine...AND there were two guys next to me doing magic tricks. NO JOKE!!! They were making cards dissappear and appear, and lighting their wallets on fire! One of the guys was on his way to a magician conference! I asked if I could go, and he said no. Then I asked if he could show my how to make the card dissappear...he asked me, 'can you keep a secret?'...I replied 'YES!!!' SO EXCITED that he was going to teach me...and then he retorted 'good, so can I!!' Smart A$$ Well, they entertained me some more (as I continued to beg and plead for them to show me how to make the cards dissappear and made some Harry Potter references) and they were off. They did teach me one trick...if you're lucky I'll show you...but they also gave me something to do tomorrow...I'm going to find this magic shop in Paris and learn some magic!

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Joke of the day

Yo mama so ugly, when she was in labor the doctor asked which end!
got a 'yo mama' joke better than that?