Some thought a black person would never be elected president of the U.S. But Democrat Barack Obama’s 2008 victory is being hailed as one of the greatest changes the world has ever known—with many people calling it a watershed event. Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 November 2008 )

People worldwide are experiencing economic jitters as the financial markets go from one extreme to another.  Many French are baffled by what’s taking place across the Atlantic. Economic stimulus packages?  Tax cuts?  Accusations of being a Socialist, Marxist and so much more.  Not that French politicians haven’t made more than their fair share of dumb allegations during the election season. But in France, it’s short and candidates aren’t known to be venomous. Last Updated ( Sunday, 09 November 2008 )

The last thing I wanted to do was take a flight from Washington, DC, to New York and then another plane to Paris. I try to avoid connecting at all costs. But now that’s past tense.  When I was asked to fly Open Skies, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, I wanted to experience what I’d been reading about on the travel biz sites. Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 November 2008 )

It was a last minute happening. Perhaps it was better because of its serendipitous nature. In addition, the get together was on the Saturday of the Columbus holiday weekend. Who would have wagered there’d be anyone in town? Perhaps that was a factor in everyone being so relaxed. Friends reconnected. New acquaintances were formed. And being ever so Washington, where networking is the name of the game, you knew future business was in the making. Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 October 2008 )

Thank goodness, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.  In this tanking economy, travelers (unless they’re mega-millionaires or a company is picking up the freight) are wondering whether or not they should leave home. When the going gets tough, the tough start having second thoughts, so some people with long-scheduled travel plans are contemplating whether or not they should cancel their trips.

 

Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 October 2008 )

The American economy is so powerful that a sniffle here can cause hacking and sneezing around the globe.  Some of the risky—or maybe it was just stupid and greedy—behavior of the investment banks and, later the commercial banks, in America has caused a great deal of fear and may yet cause even more pain to the finances and futures of Americans.  But having commuted between Paris and Washington for 20 years now, my feeling is that individual French families are less fearful now and for good reason. Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 October 2008 )

The French Government and its tourism industry doesn’t keep it a secret that homosexuals are welcome in France and especially Paris. The Government’s Tourist office’s ‘come one and come all’ web site even has a dedicated section targeting Gay Paris and why not? Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 September 2008 )

If sex is on your mind and you’re feeling experimental, France is undoubtedly the place to go if you’re a swinger. And swinging takes on many different forms and positions. There are more than 400 clubs échangistes in France and don’t assume that a door marked Club Privé in one of Paris’s tonier neighborhoods is reserved for members who want to discuss philosophy.  Last Updated ( Sunday, 14 September 2008 )

There are two unwed mothers-to-be in the news. The first is Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Justice who confirmed she was pregnant last week. The second unwed mother, who has upstaged Rachida Dati by a mile is the 17-year-old daughter of the GOP's vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.  Governor Palin says they're following the French tradition. Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 )