Bonjour Paris (part 4)

Telephone
In America we have area code, 3 number prefix and 4 number suffix, like 312-123-4567. In Paris they have 10 digits, in groups of 2, like 12 34 56 78 90. I didn't make any phone calls in Paris (who do I call?), but when I pick up the phone, the dial tone is higher pitch than American phones. I suppose the ringing is different too, but can't confirm. I am not going to call just anybody to test out the ringing sound.

Ambulance and Police Sirens
Their siren is constant: bee-bu-bee-bu. In Chicago, the sound seems to have much wider range. Both police cars and ambulances are smaller than those in America.

Grand palaces, beautiful gardens, elaborate churches
The glory of the monarchs of yesterday still remain in Paris. There are so many palaces and gardens that it is hard to name and visit them all. The Louvre is one of those. It even has its own mini Arch of Triumph. There are also many well maintained gardens/parks in the city, the most beautiful one we've seen is Jardin Luxembourg. We found many people relaxing and young energetic people playing soccer.

There are also many elaborate churches of the old days, the most well-known one is of course the Notre Dame. There was some service going on while dozens of people walking around inside. How about you host service some other time or we come visit another time? People don't seem to be serious about religion there, many old churches seem to be abandoned or became museums.

Flea market and street markets
We visited a flea market, in a seemingly not very wealthy neighborhood. Many items are sold and not just clothing. Many products are made in China! (How do you escape that?) Prices are rather inexpensive but of course qualities isn't that great. At a street market by the Italian town, they even have seafood and roast chicken sold at side street. Whoa, even these guys have credit card machines.

Chinatown/Vietnam town
We visited the sort-of Chinatown close to the Italian town. It is actually mix of Vietnamese and Chinese town. Only a few restaurants and a few grocery stores there, rather depressing if you want to look for authentic Chinese cuisines. Some Chinese restaurants within Paris lay out all the (cold) food for display and when you buy them they microwave for you (now that's not authentic way to serve Chinese food).
However, there are many, many great Japanese restaurants in Paris.

End Note
Paris is a VERY nice place if you like European style old stone buildings. If you have a lot of Euros to spend it is a great vacation place. Today most people don't know or even care the glory of the monarchs in the old days, but their great palaces remain. If you have even more Euros to spend it is perhaps great idea to take trains to London or other places in Europe and let your adventure continue.