Jay - You guys under water?

Jay:

It's interesting seeing what's going on in Iowa from the EU perspective-
people in the streets here in southern France ask about the flooding, which
is the only domestic news from the US in the area, via CNN international.
Most of their interest is, or at least was in the Euro Cup, until France
lost.

People in the stores and restaurants ask if we live near the flooded areas.
Most of the rest of the US news has been about the economy.

There are a lot of planes flying overhead, mostly the turboprops from nearby
Salon, the air academy for France. Soaring is big here, with a local club
that is quite famous. However, the mistral winds have been lacking, so the
lift over the mountains has been weak at best. We're waiting for the winds
to pick up, so my son can celebrate his birthday with a ride.

Most cars run on diesel, and 3/4 of a tank cost $150.00 yesterday! I'm
afraid to learn what avgas costs, particularly with the weak dollar.
Breakfast in a hotel restaurant can be as much as $60.00, just for some
bread, pastries, juice and coffee. Even an inexpensive dinner is around $100
for the three of us.

So, from the world wide perspective, we have a ways to go before we see the
end of climbing gas prices and other costs of living.

Viperdoc schrieb:
Most cars run on diesel, and 3/4 of a tank cost $150.00 yesterday! I'm

3/4 of what? a truck?
I just filled up @EUR 1.49 per liter for 100 octan unleaded.
ah, ok ... sorry, just checked that you noted USD. Well, with the
current exchange rate you have a bad time.

afraid to learn what avgas costs, particularly with the weak dollar.
Breakfast in a hotel restaurant can be as much as $60.00, just for some

for 3? that's ok for a restaurant. else go to mcdonalds or so.

bread, pastries, juice and coffee. Even an inexpensive dinner is around $100
for the three of us.

this is about EUR 65. This is expensive for _inexpensive_.

So, from the world wide perspective, we have a ways to go before we see the
end of climbing gas prices and other costs of living.

#m

We have no McDonalds nearby, which is a good thing. also only around 8
channels on TV, most in FR, one in German, one in Italian, and then CNN
international. Most of the TV shows are American, and then dubbed in the
local language. Diesel is expensive, plus using a credit card incurs an
additional 3.4% surcharge. Luckily, I think we can get the 19.6% TVA (VAT)
back somehow, but haven't figured this out yet.

Haven't had a bad meal yet, from pizza to four star places- it's all good.
Wine and draft beers are also great. Hopefully will try some soaring
tomorrow. There is a tour company that flies 172's in the local area, but
this holds little interest for us. My son, whose birthday is tomorrow
doesn't want to fly in a sailplane- I don't think he grasps the concept of
flying without a running engine, and thinks it's dangerous.

The biggest difference we've noticed (my fifth trip to France) is that here,
if you go to a historical site like a castle tower and fall off, it's your
fault, while in the States, it's someone else's fault if you do something
stupid like go to the edge and go over the railing. In a way, it's kind of
refreshing to visit a society where people are expected to be responsible
for their own actions or stupidity, yet there is much more tolerance for
different points of view.

Viperdoc schrieb:
We have no McDonalds nearby, which is a good thing. also only around 8

true, but sometimes it is a quick choice and you always know what you get.

channels on TV, most in FR, one in German, one in Italian, and then CNN
international. Most of the TV shows are American, and then dubbed in the
local language. Diesel is expensive, plus using a credit card incurs an
additional 3.4% surcharge. Luckily, I think we can get the 19.6% TVA (VAT)
back somehow, but haven't figured this out yet.


AFAIK, you need the proper tax refund forms and show them when leaving
France at the customs desk. but please double check with someone who
know more about that.

I don't think he grasps the concept of
flying without a running engine, and thinks it's dangerous.

:-)

The biggest difference we've noticed (my fifth trip to France) is that here,
if you go to a historical site like a castle tower and fall off, it's your
fault, while in the States, it's someone else's fault if you do something
stupid like go to the edge and go over the railing. In a way, it's kind of
refreshing to visit a society where people are expected to be responsible
for their own actions or stupidity, yet there is much more tolerance for
different points of view.

:-)

#m