Airports, trains, metro, buses

Just back from our European vacation. The Charles De Gaulle airport wasn%26#39;t as bad as I feared. The shuttle bus was quick, but packed. No problem making it between 2C and 2F. Thanks for all who answered my questions previously about this. Charles De Gaulle beats the heck out of O%26#39;Hare. It was clean and bright. Gate 2E 73 was quiet and a nice wait for our return. We only had carry on bags, but I would suggest a cab to and from the airport especially during rush hour due to the crowds on metro and buses. It cost us 32 euros for two of us from the Rue Cler area.

For other modes of transportation, know the end destination of the line your destination is on to lessen your confusion. Trains for which you have a reservation will have a picture of the whole train composition and where your car will be located once you find the right gate. The TGV was great from Nice to Paris.

No problem with the Card Orange. When we arrived at Gare de Lyon we asked for help at the %26quot;SOS for travelers%26quot; and a gentleman took us downstairs to the ticket office and there we purchased our Orange cards and got our Museum passes. Just bring a 1-1/4 x 1/1/4 inch square head shot of yourself and attach it and your are ready to go. The museum pass lets you bop in and out of places you happen to pass and not let you worry about counting your pennies. (or euros).

The metro is the way to go in Paris especially when it is as hot as last week when they had a heat wave. The traffic is so bad sometimes the buses are slow and hot, but sometimes can get you closer to the location you desire.

I really only met one rude French person and that was in a Monte Carlo bakery. The rest let me slaughter their native language and frequently helped me better my pronounciation. I always used Bonjour upon entering an establishment and always Merci. Learning and using %26quot;have a nice day%26quot; actually got big smiles--try it you%26#39;ll like it.

No mention of Bush or ugly American was ever made or heard in the background, but then the French were having their own political problems with the EU constitution last week.

I expected another big city like Chicago or Rome, but was pleasantly surprised by the parks and tree lined streets. I will go back again if given the chance.

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Thanks for the report.

We also used the Buses a lot around the 1st of May when it was cooler. Not as much walking as with the Metro. I carried printed out bus routes for many routes that I got from their web site.