>>I really feel sorry for the people of Paris. When my last trip to France went a bit wrong the French people helped me out so much despite me not really speaking much French they could not have helped me more. To me the French are our neighbours, our brothers and I feel more upset about these attacks than if it were in the America etc.
It is a little thing, but about 10 years ago I was on business to a client about 30 miles from St Etienne.
I took the Eurostar to Paris, the TGV to St Etienne and then the train to the nearest station to the client. Unfortunately there were two stations with very similar names and I got off at the wrong one, in a very pretty French village, with absolutely no taxis at the station.
I walked over to the local cafe and must have stood out like a sore thumb in my suit and laptop bag.
The locals were very friendly even though they mocked my poor French, there were no local Taxis but a local without delay got me in his Peugeot 503 and sailed me to my client.
It turned out he was the local mayor and was more than happy to help the hapless Anglais out and point blank refused to accept any money for the trip.
I like France, the French and yes they may seem odd at times (very odd) but they are very similar to us and what happens there can so easily happen here.
|