Austria wins the Clean Competition! The approach to sanitation is much more casual dans la belle France. There is plenty of rubbish lying around, as well as evidence of les homes not finding un pissoir in time. (Though I have not actually seen that happen, fortunately). And while “spending a penny” now costs 50 cents at public places – railway stations etc - the conveniences are not all that clean despite the charge and the two women on guard at the entrance. And of course, France belongs to les chiens. They are in restaurants and on trains, and they leave leurs petits cadeaux wherever they choose, without any concern shown by their owners. No plastic bags on leashes or $37.50 fines here. And mentioning leashes, I have seen a number of times women (not men, so far) carrying their dogs in a baby sling at their breasts. Un peu interessant, cela!
On the other hand, Kitzbuhel was so conscious of animal sanitation that the horses pulling the tourist carriages had bags attached at their rears, underneath their tails, to catch you-know-what. They should tell the burghers of Quebec City about that idea – for Quebec smells of horse all the time. And if the Kitzbuhel horses make water (such a lovely, genteel phrase), the drivers immediately throw a bucket of water to slough off the road.
However, one has to admit that the atmosphere here is more carefree, more relaxed. A little bit uptight in Austria perhaps?
There are markets here every Sunday morning, along the bank of the Loire. The pics tell the story better that words can. Half the region was there offering produce, and the other half was there to buy it, as well as busloads of tourists, and flocks of bikies. (What IS the word for a collection of bikies, there must be one?) Most tempting was the beautiful hand-worked linen – bedspreads, table-cloths, window-dressings etc. Also soft leather shoes, and more wonderful winter coats.
I finished the afternoon with a stroll along the river and a paddle. The water is clean, there are little sandy beaches.
I meant to comment ages ago. I am surprised that you are so delicate about a man urinating in public. I have seen it often on the roadside in Australia and sometimes overseas but never in a way to give offence. I think women are a bit envious - I know I have been at times. And on the subject of the cleanliness of France. Peter and I drove up from the Pyrenees to Paris a few weeks ago and kept remarking on the cleanliness of the towns, villages and countryside. We didn't see any roadside rubbish until just outside Paris. You should see along the highway near Burpengary. And anyway the Austrians are too anal for me!! Well, that's my rant for now.
ReplyDelete