What a shame. It is raining in Lyon. But I have an umbrella and today I planned to go to the museums.
They do things slightly differently here. For instance they speak French alot. The food is slightly different - you don't see sidewalk hot dog stands but you do see sidewalk crepe stands. Food is fresh and much less processed and bagged. And yes every French native seems to buy a baguette to take home.
The big stadiums are not for football or baseball but for - wait they are for football - but the soccer variety. And rugby and cycling aren't fringe sports but front page headline sports with magazine after magazine dedicated to them.
I haven't heard much if any American English until today, I'm guessing they may end up on the same bike trip! Yesterday I had glaces (sorbet, ice cream shops are quite popular here) with a 70 yr old (never would have guessed it - I had him at 60) from England via Australia. Many more Brit and Aussie accents. The guide yesterday spoke English in a unique French/British lilt accent.
They are much less concerned about trash and dog poo then energy conservation. The toilets have two buttons, one for #1 and another for #2 to save water. Escalators and moving walkways don't move at full speed until you are several steps away. Lights mysteriously turn off and on as you walk in and out if areas. You can always find your room key, it is in a slot by the door, ensuring you can't forget and leave the lights on as they won't work without the card.
Much like New York and Chicago there is public transport everywhere, from Metro to buses to trams and even funiculars like Pittsburgh has.
And many live in homes built in 15th century. I'm assuming the have modernized with electricity and plumbing. AC is not so common.
But other than that they are just like us. The clothing styles are a bit different but they discuss politics, worry about their jobs, get along with the basic tasks of living life and raising a family just like us.
If I couldn't hear on the metro I could assume I was in New York city. Well until I went streetside and saw the architecture!
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