We learned a few things today

We learned a few things today that we should have learned a long time ago. Always check the train schedules a day in advance. We ended up waiting for trains coming and going to Chantilly. And this brings us to one of our topics for today. . . Why do the French seem intent on charging Duane money to use the restroom? To be fair, they charge everyone else too, but still it seems all wrong. All over the French Capital those famous words, "Libertie, Egalitie, Fraternitie" are plastered all over their buildings and Duane believes that somewhere in those famous words are hidden "The Right" to go to the restroom without packing a fistful of loose change. Duane would take this up with someone, but they all appear to be at lunch.
The Trains: Seriously, the trains are fantastic. We've ridden Trains in Poland, Czech Republic, England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France and quite honestly we can't think of a better way to travel.  Sure, if you want to get from Cleveland to Los Angeles in a hurry the train NOT the way to go, but we have nothing but praise for the train systems. They are efficient, on time, clean, fast and reliable (So far). The Paris Metro, as well, is a marvel (So Far) of efficiency. It moves a massive amount of people around this city everyday and we've not seen one flaw in the system.
One thing which we've seen as an improvement here (Actually all over Europe) is the practice of personal hygiene. 20 years ago, when we first came, there was still a lot of good folks who just didn't consider a bath to be part of their daily routine. That seems to have changed. The women are routinely shaving their legs now too. The "Old Guard" probably sees this as a bad thing, but Paula and Duane appreciate it! One thing we'll never understand, no matter how fashionable it may be, is the practice of wearing a coat and scarf everywhere, even with in weather in the 70s and 80s. We're not talking "Light Jacket" here either. These people already have there winter survival gear out. True, it was in the low 70s today, but still! Paula and Duane continue to waltz around in T-shirts and hang out in the shade as much as humanly possible.
No contest winners today! Sorry!