Ask a frenchman

[FUJItheFISH]

shilly

is it pretty easy/safe to figure out train routes and also finding places to stay, eat, see?

thanks.
fuji

[doublehawk]

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This is PERFECT. I posted in french BBV but no one respnded. There is a saying in french that goes something along the lines of "You can only lean on things which provide resistance" or something to that effect. What is the exact saying in the french language for the quote?

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Newton's Third Law of Motion...?

Also, how well known or mainstream (if at all) is the group Java over there? Mainstream enough to have their releases on vinyl? It's proving tricky to track down from Oz.

[Shilly]

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shilly

is it pretty easy/safe to figure out train routes and also finding places to stay, eat, see?

thanks.
fuji

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Train schedules are very easy to find online, and will be included with your pass if you decide to buy one.

Keep in mind that you need to make a reservation on most trains that run between major hubs--this usually requires a small supplement (around 10 Euros), and should be done one or two days in advance. While trains might not be the cheapest way to travel (booking flights far in advance can be incredibly inexpensive), you get the flexibility of changing your plans, seeing the countryside, and the benefit of traveling directly into the city center (whereas most flights arrive pretty far outside of each city).

If you're planning on going with hostels, you shouldn't have trouble booking those a few days in advance, or simply showing up and checking for availability. I use hostelbookers.com, but hostelworld.com is good also. There's lots of options here.

As far as places to eat and things to see, I'd recommend picking up some sort of travel guide for the region that you'll be traveling to. I highly recommend the "Let's Go" series, as it's geared toward younger people/students. I know that there's a Western Europe edition out there. You can also ask your friends, or people you run into during your travels--they tend to give great advice and lead you to places you wouldn't have found on your own.

[dogsballs]

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except for not being the slightest bit courtiest about blowing smoke in your direction, i find the french very nice people. especially the country folk. but in the u.s. the city dewllers are not as friendly here as well.

how do the french and other europeans manage to keep their public transportation running right on time. when the u.s. cant even get it close.

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practice. It gets used a lot.

[dogsballs]

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You are right about country people being nicer and more welcoming than city people. This is particularly true when you compare parisians with non-parisians.


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You're obviously non-parisian [edit dogsballs = -1 on this now I read further down]. I've always found parisians to be pretty cool & friendly people (except occasionally in the central/tourist parts).

btw, I remember playing vs you in a couple PStars tournaments and remember you were one of the chatty ones.

[dogsballs]

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France is a beautifull country.I have been at st.tropez and surrounding citys. I loved my time there and wished I could stay. Where would you suggest to get a own place which isnt that expensive but has great view nearby(sea).

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My mother owns a small place in a tiny village in the Pyrenees (Ariege). Was cheap and is in a beautiful mountainous area. nothing like St trtopez tho, but anywhere close to the med will be moreso (and more exp)

[dogsballs]

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It looks like I'll be taking an unexpected trip to France between Christmas and New Years. I spent about two weeks in France many moons ago. I didn't and don't speak much French. I was accompanied by someone who spoke French but at times not knowing French that well was a problem. Not sure what it's like today. I'll be flying into Paris and I'll do some sight seeing. Then to visit someone in the French countryside. Any tips, info about picking up enough French to get by greatly appreciated. Any other info greatly appreciated for a USA resident that hasn't been there in a very, very long time.

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Go pick up one of those small pocket French-English translation dictionaries and carry it around with you from now on. Look up a few common words you might use every day til you go...you know "price", "ticket", etc etc, if you can stumble a clunky sentence and have enuf vocabulary to get the message across, people are impressed that you're at least trying the lingo instead of relying on them being able to speak english that they'll usually be more helpful & friendly toward you. imo

[manub]

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You're obviously non-parisian

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You're obviously not french. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I am not parisian, but I've been living in Paris for four years. It's really obvious for us french people: there's a gap between the "province" (outside Paris) and Paris itself. It's not a myth: parisians are responsible for most of the clichés about the french: arrogance, snobbiness, and so forth. Personally I don't find them unfriendly, it's just that they have a different, more aggressive sense of humor that can cause misunderstandings.

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btw, I remember playing vs you in a couple PStars tournaments and remember you were one of the chatty ones.

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Yeah tournament poker is so boring sometimes, even with 7/8 tables going on I like to chat about random stuff. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]



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hi manub/any other eurotravel experts:

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Hi Fuji, if I were you i'd plan my trip around the visiting of two big european cities, spend 5-6 days in each. Paris of course, then either Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Roma or Venice, Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Copenhagen... They are all unique and great in their own way. Try to spend at least one week in each city to get the most of it.

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Also, how well known or mainstream (if at all) is the group Java over there?

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Never heard of this band. I guess it's not mainstream at all.

[dcb777]

Do you hate yourself because you were born French?

[DanielDayLewis]

apprieciate you doing this.

my experience with the french:

Went to Paris alone and met my french friend there and went out with her for 4 days or so (she studied abroad at my university) All her friends were really cool and she was really cool. People that we met on the street in Paris were really cool. Most people I met while hanging out with her were really cool.

90% of the French people I've met while traveling besides that have come off as rude and arrogant. Am i missing some kinda secret?

two of my favorite musicians/bands right now are a French band called Kaolin (though I wish I could understand the lyrics) and Yann Tierson. Can you recommend any other similar music?