The experience of driving in France is somewhere between these two video clips — take your choice!
and
AND THEY DO LOVE TO HONK! And the PARKING! C’est horrible!
And you wonder why we’ve only used a half of a tank of gas since DECEMBER 1st. The tram, the bus, the train, the feet — all good alternatives!
FUN FRENCH FACTS – there is absolutely no “Right Turn On Red” in France, E.V.E.R. If there is no one coming for miles, it doesn’t matter. The all-knowing cameras SEE YOU. YOU WILL GET A TICKET! There are 4,500 traffic cameras in France, and many of them are double facing – they will get you coming AND going! (No, I didn’t get a ticket. But it’s really bizarre to wait five minutes at a red light to turn right with no other cars in sight!)
And NO cellphone usage whatsoever for the driver. It is completely illegal to talk on the phone as the driver – even with an earpiece or hands-free speaker – and EVEN IF YOUR CAR IS STOPPED. As the driver, talking on a cell phone is only allowed if your car is parked in a designated parking lot. It’s very likely to lose your license!
Haven’t driven our manual transmission car YET…but I WILL! SOON! I’m relatively sure the practice will go something like this…at best…
or, peut-être, at worst…
And yeah, since Larry IS reading this, I’m exaggerating a little about the driving – but not about the honking – or the parking! It’s insane.
We miss our nice big automobiles and comparatively huge parking spaces. I miss my baby (that some Georgia Bulldawg is driving)!
À bientôt ! But not soon enough!
Mindy
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