Buttons on the Wall, Slots for Lights, and No Signs Anywhere

I arrived at Charles Degaulle Airport, Paris, late afternoon on September the 12th. I had  already planned just to spend the night at a Marriott and get a good night's sleep before tackling France by car. I was tired by now so I went to information to find out where to get the hotel shuttle bus. Gallerie 4. Great, where is that? I called the hotel, and they said meet at gate 9. What? I don't even know what terminal I'm in, because there are no signs anywhere! I wander, and find the right spot to wait. There are little cars parked on the sidewalks, in no parking zones, and while I wait, one that drives the wrong way up a one way street. So I'm getting the feeling that not only is nothing marked, but no body cares what the rules are anyway. I make note of this for future refernce, when I may decide to break some rules myself.

I check into the Marriott and they tell me something is wrong with my e-certificate for a free room using points, but not to worry, they will work it out. Good. I'm not in the mood. I'm happily getting good use of the international cell phone I purchased through www.rangeroamer.com. I have had to call t-mobile to find out how to log on to internet at their hotspots, marriott to find out about the shuttle bus, chase credit to find out why they declined my credit card when I had to pay for my overweight luggage (precautionary, they said), and marriott rewards to find out why my certificate was wrong. On a good note, it works great! For those of you inclined to text message me for free, go to www.rangeroamer.com/sms/send-sms.aspx and use my european number 011 372 53 68 91 30. DO NOT call this number, you will pay international rates! If you REALLY want to talk, call my free number which will forward you to my cell 1-866-921-7648. In this case it's free for you, but costs me 69 cents per minute. I may not pick up, but you can leave a voice mail for free, and I must admit I wouldn't mind that!!

In France they only tell you half of what you need to know, but very nicely...

So, I get up to my room, and my lights won't work. I use the toliet in the dark, and flush it using one of the buttons on the wall. One big button, and one smaller button, I guess according to what you have just done. You figure it out! When I go back downstairs, the receptionist is surprised that I don't know I must put my key in the slot in the wall for my lights to work. Not like I was told this...I go to the bar and order beer and  a cheese plate.

Lastly, I have made these observations:

1) In France they only tell you half of what you need to know, but very nicely

2) the men here don't mind wearing their pants rolled up into capris, no matter what their size

3) everyone still smokes

I sleep until 10am the next day.