The 1000 radar speed meters I was referring to are those additional ones you are referring to. I read an article about this plan by the Interior Minister to help reduce deaths on the highways but I think they also have an anternate reason. It brings in tons of money. The last I read the current fines per year were over 3/4 of a billion Euros so these 1000 will probably bring them over the top of a billion. They got me once.
Yes, my wife avoids routing herself through the US when she goes to Brazil because even changing planes means going throught the immigration checks. I hate traveling by air in the US because of all the security checks which are becoming more and more invasive.
Cheers, Jim
“France is installing 1000 radar speed meters but that is mainly on the highways.”
I wish that were true James. France has well over 3000 automatic speed radars installed and are planning for more, including route section (tronçon) speed installations… Disgusting!
The irresponsible dog-owners matter is true for about all of France but I must say that the rest of Europe is not doing much better.
You’re lucky that you can visit your friends and relatives without the paperwork that we foreigners have to go through, I’d like to visit my friends in CA and OR but don’t think I will visit the USA ever again if the current ridiculous requirements won’t change.
Cheers!
Jan
People seem to lose their manners when they get behind the wheel. I’ve been to Lyon several times and the traffic is horrific especially with all those twisting roads and hills. We decided not to settle in Lyon for that reason although the city itself has a lot to offer. Paris is really bad. The traffic in Orléans isfar less heavy and much better behaved with no hills. There is a big effort to control speed here so one has to realy be careful not to exceed the limit. France is installing 1000 radar speed meters but that is mainly on the highways. You’re right about the lack of responsible dog owners especially in the big cities. Unfortunately one has to keep watching the sidewalk instead of looking at the interesting architecture. I have relatives in Washington state and northern California plus friends in Oregon that I must get out to see one of these years.
I am from the Pacific NW, and yes, James, it is a beautiful place and worth a visit. What I miss most here are the lack of space, cleanliness (too many dogs and not enough responsible owners!) and customer service. It is also difficult to cross the streets here in Lyon without fear of losing your life, drivers cut all corners when they are behind the wheel! Even when crossing on clearly marked crosswalks where there are no traffic lights drivers sometimes toot for the pedestrian to move out of their way or plainly do not stop forcing the pedestrian to take the matters in their hands.
I’ll definitely try them. We have a Leader Price not too far away. Thanks for the tip.
I agree with you, here, but don’t forget that you do pay dearly for health care through taxes and retained salary, it’s just different than writing the check yourself.
Dedene, if you have not tasted Thomas’s English Muffin, which a mon avis, is better than any other, you haven’t lived. Slice them in lengthwise and put the two halves in a toaster and then ladel on the butter. Ummmm! I’ve tried the others at Carrefour but they are not as good.
I miss good quality, cotton clothing (t-shirts, hoodies and jeans) for a less-than outrageous price. Other than that, I don’t miss much any more here after 22 years.
James, I don’t even know what Thomas’s English muffins are!!!
Take care,
James belive it or not. If you go to leader price market which is pretty non expensive. They have English muffins that taste close to Thomas’s
To me, there are two major differences between the US and France: the local population and the availability of goods and services. Like Ken, I sometimes miss the ability to get what I want, when I want it. In reality, do I need a pizza or a Whopper at 2 in the morning? Do I need to have a Walmart open 24/7 just in case? I’ve seen how our consumer lifestyle forms a good bit of our lives. In France, I have what I need and if I run out of something, it’s not major catastrophe. France is much more easy-going and mellow, a culture suited to me perfectly.
Being from NJ, I lived almost exactly between Manhatten and Philadelphia. My small town had just 866 people in it, but I was surrounded by over 17 million people in a 45 mile radius. Crowded is not the word…
I worked as a over-the-road truck driver for the past ten years and so got to see all of the lower 48 states, Canada, and a small part of Mexico. Beautiful, diverse country, yes. But in my opinion, France is a very special place, unlike anywhere else.
I agree with all the points James has made. I too miss English Muffins although I have found them (not Thomas’s) from time to time at Carrefour in larger urban areas. There are also many places in the US that I’d still like to visit–I think Europeans don’t realize how big the country really is. You could spend the rest of your life exploring it.
I was a police officer in California so I can really appreciate the slower paced, gun-free lifestyle. (In my patrol car, I alone had immediate access to three firearms: a pistol, shotgun and assault rifle–Crazy, eh? And that’s normal for most large police departments in California) I like being able to go out with my family and not having to size everyone up and guessing who might be armed. At rare moments, I do miss the ability to get just about whatever you want whenever you want but then I reflect on the necessity for a 24 hour supermarket. We came over with our two children so I can’t emphasize the importance of the health care system. To think how much I was paying into and ineffective HMO in California for a fraction of the level of care we receive in France.
I don’t miss much except my children and grandchildren. I miss Thomas’s English Muffins that can be bought in the US but not here. I would love to explore the NW of the US that I have never seen and revisit some of the historic sites from the Colonial period and the Civil War. Other than that, I think France has everything important that we need especially good medical care, polite people and a calm atmosphere plus lots of beautiful towns and villages.