Back in "business"

Just returned from my vacation in Paris. Hotel de Crillon was closed for renovations, Ritz had limited availability also due to renovation, so I had to settle for The Peninsula ;)

Here are a few impressions and observations, while still fresh.

• taxis only take cash; ride from the airport to Paris center is about 60 euro and takes about 50 minutes;
• the lowest cost Starbucks coffee is twice as expensive as here, at about $4.5 (3 euro), but still a lot cheaper than the "cafe creme" at Les Deux Magots or Cafe de Flore;
• cheques are still used for grocery shopping (!);
• the fixed air conditioning units (installed outside the windows) are probably not allowed, since they would really spoil the beauty of the buildings; posters are also forbidden, though I saw some "pixel art" placed high (that is, hard to remove) on some buildings;

• one can actually live on and retire from a job as waiter or hotel concierge;
• tipping in restaurants or for services is not a habit;
• selling padlocks around famous places is big business;

• Lacoste has a "lab" which also makes beautiful bicycles (this may be of interest to Justin :)

• great Star Wars animatronics in DisneyLand Paris;

• charging stations for electric cars;

• and finally, a (probably expensive) clock :)