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We haven't been to Berlin. I will consider it. Thanks.
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And indeed there will be time To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?". t s eliot -
You may want to forget Paris for the time being...
France hit by nationwide strike
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Demonstrations have been held in about 200 French towns and cities
Hundreds of thousands of French workers have protested across the country during a nationwide strike.
Schools have been closed and public transport disrupted, with demonstrations held in about 200 towns.
Unions are opposing President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further.
Organisers of the protests said three million had taken part, reported the AFP news agency.
Earlier, police had said there were about 85,000 people at the rally in Paris, according to the AFP news agency.
Union members marched towards the Place de la Nation in Paris behind a banner that read: "United against the crisis, defend employment, spending power and public services."
We have a president who aggravates the crisis by making the wrong economic and social choices
"They have a profound sense of social injustice," said Jean-Claude Mailly, head of the large Force Ouvriere union, "and that, I think, is something that neither the government nor the employers have understood."
Benoit Hamon, a spokesman for the French Socialist Party spokesman said France was experiencing similar problems to other countries, but that the situation was being made worse by Mr Sarkozy.
"We have a president who aggravates the crisis by making the wrong economic and social choices, by his deafness regarding the general dissatisfaction," said Mr Hamom.
"He refuses to give answers regarding layoffs, regarding the cost of living, regarding the way to objectively avoid the rise in job losses in the public sector or in the public health system."
Marches were also being held in Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble and many other towns and cities.
Noel Kouici, demonstrating in Marseilles, said protesters had a "grudge" against the government.
"Of course we are angry against the government when you see the way they serve the banks and leave the people starving and losing their jobs," he said.
It is the second time in two months that major demonstrations have been held, following a similar display in January which drew about a million protesters.
Beleaguered industries
The strikes began on Wednesday evening on transport networks.
French commuters face a limited rail service because of the strike
The national rail operator, SNCF, cancelled 40% of high-speed trains and half of regional services.
A third of flights out of Paris's Orly airport have been cancelled, while a tenth of France's electricity output has been shut down with workers on strike.
However, buses and the Metro rail system in Paris were running normally, thanks to a new law enforcing a minimum transport service during strikes,.
But with many schools and public buildings shut for the day, the number of workers travelling into the capital was reduced.
Private-sector firms were also expecting a depleted workforce, with staff from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors taking part in the strike.
Rising unemployment
The unions say the 26bn euro ($35bn; £24.5bn) stimulus package for France's struggling economy, unveiled by Mr Sarkozy in December, does not go far enough.
A further 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) of measures, including tax breaks and social benefits, presented by Mr Sarkozy after January's strike has failed to placate them.
They want him to increase the minimum wage and scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs.
Recent polls show three-quarters of French people support the strikers.
Many commuters on Thursday said they backed the action, but hoped it would be short-lived.
"Fundamentally I agree, but too much is too much," one was quoted as saying. "There are strikes in the transport sector too often and we have to put up with them."
Mr Sarkozy said on Wednesday that he "understands the concerns of the French people" but has ruled out plans for further measures.
Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay-offs expected by the end of this year.
Many people are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.
No, I did not steal that from somebody on Something Awful.Comment
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Yes, and as someone who used to mainly get the tube ('cause I didn't know where anything was) a lot of it is all actually very close together.Originally posted by MOBIUS View PostJon Miller: MikeH speaks the truth
Jon Miller: MikeH is a shockingly revolting dolt and a masturbatory urine-reeking sideshow freak whose word is as valuable as an aging cow paddy.
We've got both kindsComment
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The buses are good for a bit of sightseeing (with an oyster card of course) Its cheap and you can sit on the top deck
is usually pretty quiet outside of rush hour(s)
for example the bus from trafalgar square to victoria will take you down whitehall, past downing street, the houses of parliment, westminster abbey and cathedral.Safer worlds through superior firepowerComment
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And probably doesn't cost an arm and a leg like the open top tours. Well, if you have an Oyster Card that isOriginally posted by Snotty View PostThe buses are good for a bit of sightseeing (with an oyster card of course) Its cheap and you can sit on the top deck is usually pretty quiet outside of rush hour(s)
for example the bus from trafalgar square to victoria will take you down whitehall, past downing street, the houses of parliment, westminster abbey and cathedral.
Speaking of Erith:
"It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda SmithComment
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What is an 'Oyster Card'? If we decide on London, can we buy it before hand? Buy it at the hotel? Subway station?And indeed there will be time To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?". t s eliotComment
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yes man if you are using public transport more than like...once, then the oyster card is what you need.
I think there is an oyster cards for foreigners scheme so you can get them before you goSafer worlds through superior firepowerComment
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You can "top-up" an oyster card with cash, and pay for journeys as you tap-in and tap-out at underground stations (or tap-in on buses). This is much cheaper than paying cash for paper tickets on single or return journeys.Originally posted by Supr49er View Post
The alternative, if you are planning on travelling a lot during the week (more than 20 tube or bus journeys) buy a weekly travelcard which provides unlimited travel. You can do this as either a paper ticket or electronic ticket for your oyster card - they will both be the same price (about £30 per person per week for the inner London zones). The paper ticket merely avoids the need to get an oystercard.One day Canada will rule the world, and then we'll all be sorry.Comment
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Oh yeah, you really should. Let me list up a couple of good reasons, maybe repeating myself a little:Originally posted by Supr49er View Post
1) History. You don't need to be a historian to know the history of Berlin in the 20th century is the history of Europe in the 20th century.
2) Culture. See above, and think about what your better half is going to like in terms of shows, theatres, museums etc.
3) Logistics. Simple but effective public transport that gets you from A to B without too much hassle.
4) Language. Berliners are more fluent in English than other parts of Germany or even continental Europe as a whole, disregarding the Nordic countries and The Netherlands.
5) Preisleistungsverhältnis. You get more for your money than you will in any Western European capital I'm familiar with.
(Don't know the word there? This one German word means 'the relation between what you pay and what you get'.)
6) Friendliness. My experience of Berliners has always been they welcomed tourists very nicely. If you think the Germans are just a bunch of America-hating Eurocoms, check out Berlin first, they're likely to prove you wrong.Comment
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She's leaning toward Paris. Ever since she saw those Julie Delphy/Ethan Hawke movies (Before Sunset; Before Sunrise). She thinks Paris is more romantic.
I'm leaning toward London. Does anyone know what the best area to stay in London is? Any hotel recommendations? (Around $200 USD per night).And indeed there will be time To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?". t s eliotComment
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Probably the best bus route in London is the RV1 route - the fact that it is called 'RV' shows it's made for Americans!Originally posted by Snotty View PostThe buses are good for a bit of sightseeing (with an oyster card of course) Its cheap and you can sit on the top deck is usually pretty quiet outside of rush hour(s)
for example the bus from trafalgar square to victoria will take you down whitehall, past downing street, the houses of parliment, westminster abbey and cathedral.
The best walk in London is the Southbank from County Hall (by the Wheel) to Tower Bridge - fantastic! Coincidentally taken in by much of the RV1 route if you feel lazy...
Another great trip is taking a city cruise trip from Westminster to Greenwich, either return or (my pref) via DLR (docklands light railway) for a quick visit to Canary Wharf on the way back to Bank in the City.Comment
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OK London it is. Thanks to MOBIUS for the ideas.
We are staying across the river from the London Eye. If anyone else has any ideas about attractions, plays, concerts, restaurants let me know, or pm me.
And indeed there will be time To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?". t s eliotComment
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The Thames cruise to Hampton Court is also great if the weather's with you, and Hampton Court itself is well worth the trip."I have as much authority as the pope. I just don't have as many people who believe it." — George CarlinComment
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Originally posted by Supr49er View PostOK London it is. Thanks to MOBIUS for the ideas.
We are staying across the river from the London Eye. If anyone else has any ideas about attractions, plays, concerts, restaurants let me know, or pm me.
Great location!
As for your Qs, depends what your bag is really. Virtually all of London's main museums and art galleries are FREE, so places like the Natural History Museum, British Museum and the National Gallery are a must! Tate Modern is great too (but mainly for the amazing building), St Pauls is awesome (free if you cheat by entering via the cafe on the side...), definitely take in a West End show; concerts - try out the O2 Arena (old Millennium Dome) tube direct from Westminster; restaurants - depends what you're into again, but I know places...
Rufus is correct about Hampton Court. If you're down that way, check out Richmond Thameside and the awesome Kew Gardens (two recent memorable visits have included exhibitions by Dale Chihuly, and Henry Moore)! Hampstead Heath esp. Parliament Hill gives another perspective of London, or Alexandra Palace...
Really, London is your Oyster (card)
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