OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic]
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OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic]
two weeks in france, the old homeland, one of which spent at L'Ile de Re, on the Atlantic coast.
several remarks that may or may not be of interest here:
- diesel sure has evolved over there. The mother-in-law has a Renault Megane 1.9 CDI. That car MOVES. handles nice too. Of course it's still a Renault... I don't think they have all the bugs worked out of the fancy keyless system. Half the time the car wouldn't detect the card and wouldn't start. One blinker was constantly on the fritz, a headlight bulb burned out (only like 20k miles on the car), the service and airbag warning lights would come on at odd moments, etc. Sigh.
- the automated speed checking devices (aka speed ticket machines) have slowed people down A LOT. And apparently heavily reduced the number of fatalities on the road. Cruise control is a necessity when trying to stay at 80mph on the highway, and the car wants to do 100.
- people still drive better (for the most part) there than here.
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
- I really should be working there instead of here. 5 weeks minimum vacation... Oh yeah, and the 35 hour work week. The funniest thing (not for employers of course) is that people transitioned to 35 work week with no cut in pay. Now they are talking about going back to a 39 hour work week, WITH a pay increase. How ******* great is that? I dunno, I keep thinking there must be a healthy middle ground between the american 2-week vacation, 50 hour work week and the french 5-week vacation, 35 hour work week. Some way to effectively balance work and personal life that wouldn't drive a country bankrupt. Maybe I'll try Australia one day...
I also finally had the chance to lap the local race track. My in-laws live 10 minutes away from the Circuit Du Val de Vienne.
I was nice, although no elevation changes. That and the guy (instructor) with me in 205RC was nervous and kept on using the hand brake to slow me down. Oh well.
Next time I go, I will shell out the 700 euros and do an all-day school on their formula Renault cars. should be more fun.
anyway, that was my vacation. Just wanted to share.
several remarks that may or may not be of interest here:
- diesel sure has evolved over there. The mother-in-law has a Renault Megane 1.9 CDI. That car MOVES. handles nice too. Of course it's still a Renault... I don't think they have all the bugs worked out of the fancy keyless system. Half the time the car wouldn't detect the card and wouldn't start. One blinker was constantly on the fritz, a headlight bulb burned out (only like 20k miles on the car), the service and airbag warning lights would come on at odd moments, etc. Sigh.
- the automated speed checking devices (aka speed ticket machines) have slowed people down A LOT. And apparently heavily reduced the number of fatalities on the road. Cruise control is a necessity when trying to stay at 80mph on the highway, and the car wants to do 100.
- people still drive better (for the most part) there than here.
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
- I really should be working there instead of here. 5 weeks minimum vacation... Oh yeah, and the 35 hour work week. The funniest thing (not for employers of course) is that people transitioned to 35 work week with no cut in pay. Now they are talking about going back to a 39 hour work week, WITH a pay increase. How ******* great is that? I dunno, I keep thinking there must be a healthy middle ground between the american 2-week vacation, 50 hour work week and the french 5-week vacation, 35 hour work week. Some way to effectively balance work and personal life that wouldn't drive a country bankrupt. Maybe I'll try Australia one day...
I also finally had the chance to lap the local race track. My in-laws live 10 minutes away from the Circuit Du Val de Vienne.
I was nice, although no elevation changes. That and the guy (instructor) with me in 205RC was nervous and kept on using the hand brake to slow me down. Oh well.
Next time I go, I will shell out the 700 euros and do an all-day school on their formula Renault cars. should be more fun.
anyway, that was my vacation. Just wanted to share.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
About 15? years ago I spent time in the South of France with a race school/driver competition at Circuit Paul Ricard. The women are better looking, but the grass is always greener...
The German girls were the only ones we could bed. Not the Frenchies.
The average person is a much better drivers. Driver skill is something that is appreciated there, not frowned upon. However, Americans won the driving competition 2 or 3 years in row around the time I was there.
The German girls were the only ones we could bed. Not the Frenchies.
The average person is a much better drivers. Driver skill is something that is appreciated there, not frowned upon. However, Americans won the driving competition 2 or 3 years in row around the time I was there.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
Good stuff. We are currently planning our yearly "get out of the US for a while" vacation and France is on the short list.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SPiFF)
La Rochelle/Ile de Re is a beautiful area. My friend and I decided to hang out there for a few days after the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1998. Paris+LM+La Rochelle is a great 8-9 day trip.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
- I really should be working there instead of here. 5 weeks minimum vacation... Oh yeah, and the 35 hour work week. The funniest thing (not for employers of course) is that people transitioned to 35 work week with no cut in pay. Now they are talking about going back to a 39 hour work week, WITH a pay increase. How ******* great is that? I dunno, I keep thinking there must be a healthy middle ground between the american 2-week vacation, 50 hour work week and the french 5-week vacation, 35 hour work week. Some way to effectively balance work and personal life that wouldn't drive a country bankrupt. Maybe I'll try Australia one day...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Which also explains their stagnant economy and high rate of unemployment. Economics is your friend... But that's a discussion for another day.
- I really should be working there instead of here. 5 weeks minimum vacation... Oh yeah, and the 35 hour work week. The funniest thing (not for employers of course) is that people transitioned to 35 work week with no cut in pay. Now they are talking about going back to a 39 hour work week, WITH a pay increase. How ******* great is that? I dunno, I keep thinking there must be a healthy middle ground between the american 2-week vacation, 50 hour work week and the french 5-week vacation, 35 hour work week. Some way to effectively balance work and personal life that wouldn't drive a country bankrupt. Maybe I'll try Australia one day...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Which also explains their stagnant economy and high rate of unemployment. Economics is your friend... But that's a discussion for another day.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
- the automated speed checking devices (aka speed ticket machines) have slowed people down A LOT. And apparently heavily reduced the number of fatalities on the road. Cruise control is a necessity when trying to stay at 80mph on the highway, and the car wants to do 100.</TD></TR></TABLE>
We were there 3.5 years ago. flew into frankfort and rented a car. hertz was out of 3 series and so we got a 520i. rented it and drove to paris and dijon, etc.
at 220 kph, the bmv was faster than the TGV train on the tracks beside us. kind of weird on the autobahn and you think you are cooking at 200 kph and somebody passes you like you're not moving. great fun!
- the automated speed checking devices (aka speed ticket machines) have slowed people down A LOT. And apparently heavily reduced the number of fatalities on the road. Cruise control is a necessity when trying to stay at 80mph on the highway, and the car wants to do 100.</TD></TR></TABLE>
We were there 3.5 years ago. flew into frankfort and rented a car. hertz was out of 3 series and so we got a 520i. rented it and drove to paris and dijon, etc.
at 220 kph, the bmv was faster than the TGV train on the tracks beside us. kind of weird on the autobahn and you think you are cooking at 200 kph and somebody passes you like you're not moving. great fun!
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (John)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by John »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Which also explains their stagnant economy and high rate of unemployment. Economics is your friend... But that's a discussion for another day.</TD></TR></TABLE>
which is why I said it would be nice to find a way to give people more free time WITHOUT bankrupting the country. Reading is your friend...
there's obviously no easy solution, but purely from an employee's perspective, they have it made over there. Small and medium businessesm on the other hand are another story altogether. My father-in-law owns a dental prosthetics lab, and I hear all about the crap everytime I visit!
Which also explains their stagnant economy and high rate of unemployment. Economics is your friend... But that's a discussion for another day.
</TD></TR></TABLE>which is why I said it would be nice to find a way to give people more free time WITHOUT bankrupting the country. Reading is your friend...
there's obviously no easy solution, but purely from an employee's perspective, they have it made over there. Small and medium businessesm on the other hand are another story altogether. My father-in-law owns a dental prosthetics lab, and I hear all about the crap everytime I visit!
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
France is great. I used to go every two years (I'm half French) on my dad's company's dollar.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Heheh. I know what you mean.
The 35hr workweek was stupid, but the amount of vacation works just fine. France's economy sucks for many other reasons.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Heheh. I know what you mean.
The 35hr workweek was stupid, but the amount of vacation works just fine. France's economy sucks for many other reasons.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">.
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I travelled to London and to Zurich for work and this is the EXACT same conclusion that I came to. I was amazed that so many people were thin and attractive.
- by god the women are better looking, and there is so much fewer obese people, it is shocking. Going to the beach there is so much more pleasant.
- by god there are more obese people than there used to. Damn MacDonald and the american imperialism.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I travelled to London and to Zurich for work and this is the EXACT same conclusion that I came to. I was amazed that so many people were thin and attractive.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (davidnyc)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I travelled to London and to Zurich for work and this is the EXACT same conclusion that I came to. I was amazed that so many people were thin and attractive.</TD></TR></TABLE>
it's the cigarettes and the wine. b/c it sure ain't the nutella crepes or steak frites swimming in butter.
ever seen a health club in france? i never have.
ah, paris.
I travelled to London and to Zurich for work and this is the EXACT same conclusion that I came to. I was amazed that so many people were thin and attractive.</TD></TR></TABLE>
it's the cigarettes and the wine. b/c it sure ain't the nutella crepes or steak frites swimming in butter.
ever seen a health club in france? i never have.
ah, paris.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (bad-monkey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
it's the cigarettes and the wine. b/c it sure ain't the nutella crepes or steak frites swimming in butter.
ever seen a health club in france? i never have.
ah, paris.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I know you're tongue in cheek, but I still firmly believe that there are two main reasons:
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there...
it's the cigarettes and the wine. b/c it sure ain't the nutella crepes or steak frites swimming in butter.
ever seen a health club in france? i never have.
ah, paris.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I know you're tongue in cheek, but I still firmly believe that there are two main reasons:
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there...
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there... </TD></TR></TABLE>
I think its much more due to the second one. I have always thought people by and large are much thinner in NYC than the rest of the East Coast here. I would be very surprised if any major city that is highly reliant on public transportation (or opts to drive less for other reasons) is not on average in better physical shape.
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there...
</TD></TR></TABLE>I think its much more due to the second one. I have always thought people by and large are much thinner in NYC than the rest of the East Coast here. I would be very surprised if any major city that is highly reliant on public transportation (or opts to drive less for other reasons) is not on average in better physical shape.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (SJR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know you're tongue in cheek, but I still firmly believe that there are two main reasons:
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there... </TD></TR></TABLE>
i believe portions in general are much more modest in europe, in addition to being "healthier", i think you'd be hard pressed to find the superjumbosuperdupersizecombo in many european's diets. haha and in addition to walking more, maybe more of them also dance to high energy techno...
ever spent 2 hours hopping around to house music? that's like a week's worth of cardio right there!
i don't know about nyc being all that much healthier than say, los angeles. If NYC subway = pinnacle of public transit, and LA = pit of personal transit, on the whole i'd guess that angelinos are just as (un)healthy as new yorkers. for every time i had to walk a few avenue blocks x-town to catch a train, i ate some ridiculously good but super fatty pizza slice/hot dog/falafel, etc. With my body it's a 0 sum game...
besides, all those skinny new yorkers are "aspiring models" or doing too much coke to keep up their appetites. i think the true measure of a city's health is: who's skinnier? flushing or monterey park?
I know you're tongue in cheek, but I still firmly believe that there are two main reasons:
1- MUCH less fast food, and despite appearances, a healthier diet.
2- people actually WALK a lot (especially young people). gas is expensive there...
</TD></TR></TABLE>i believe portions in general are much more modest in europe, in addition to being "healthier", i think you'd be hard pressed to find the superjumbosuperdupersizecombo in many european's diets. haha and in addition to walking more, maybe more of them also dance to high energy techno...
ever spent 2 hours hopping around to house music? that's like a week's worth of cardio right there!
i don't know about nyc being all that much healthier than say, los angeles. If NYC subway = pinnacle of public transit, and LA = pit of personal transit, on the whole i'd guess that angelinos are just as (un)healthy as new yorkers. for every time i had to walk a few avenue blocks x-town to catch a train, i ate some ridiculously good but super fatty pizza slice/hot dog/falafel, etc. With my body it's a 0 sum game...
besides, all those skinny new yorkers are "aspiring models" or doing too much coke to keep up their appetites. i think the true measure of a city's health is: who's skinnier? flushing or monterey park?
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (bad-monkey)
We have some REAL hefty people in NYC.
The biggest oxymoron in NYC are meter maids. They walk all day, but are the heaviest people I have ever seen !!!???!!!
The NYC population is very similar to the rest of the country. Remember we have four months of the year where we are inside sitting on our butts doing nothing. Winter can be brutal.
I do love London. I should be back there in a week or so.
The biggest oxymoron in NYC are meter maids. They walk all day, but are the heaviest people I have ever seen !!!???!!!
The NYC population is very similar to the rest of the country. Remember we have four months of the year where we are inside sitting on our butts doing nothing. Winter can be brutal.
I do love London. I should be back there in a week or so.
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (davidnyc)
I enjoyed the hell out of London as well (and also Moscow). I used to go to NYC on average 6 times a year back in 96-97 (only once every other year since then unfortunately) and comparing there to here (NC) I always "felt" that its a much thinner city (or perhaps better said, much less overweight city) than what I was used to seeing on the East coast elsewhere.
Found this http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/cities.shtml
Found this http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/cities.shtml
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Re: OT: vacation in france, its cars, its tracks, its beaches [sic] (bad-monkey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i believe portions in general are much more modest in europe, in addition to being "healthier", i think you'd be hard pressed to find the superjumbosuperdupersizecombo in many european's diets. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree. Even though people spend much more time at the table (lunch at my grandmother's was at least an hour and a half compared to the half hour I get at work) they eat less.
Also, people walk a lot more because there aren't really any suburbs. Everything's closer than here.
i believe portions in general are much more modest in europe, in addition to being "healthier", i think you'd be hard pressed to find the superjumbosuperdupersizecombo in many european's diets. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree. Even though people spend much more time at the table (lunch at my grandmother's was at least an hour and a half compared to the half hour I get at work) they eat less.
Also, people walk a lot more because there aren't really any suburbs. Everything's closer than here.
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