You may ask, why is “quirky differences” worthy of being called a “European Adventure?”
If you’ve been reading books in the Louisa’s Vineyard Series, you’ve noticed that life in all aspects is called an adventure—birth, marriage, education, careers, and definitely, love.
Now after our fourth room in French hotels and second room in London hotels, we’ve experienced at least three levels of accommodations. Barebones, a little more, and almost comfortable.
We’ve never seen such tiny rooms as the room we stayed in previously. There was barely enough room next to the bed to get out. There was barely enough room to open the bathroom door. A simple counter served as a night table, a tiny finished shelf, less than one foot deep and less than ten inches wide with no drawers underneath. The most comfortable rooms, so far, have somewhere to sit other than on the bed and at least two chairs.
We saw differences in some of the plumbing fixtures, which favored the faucet handle going side to side to regulate the water temperature and pulling forward to start the water. The small chrome, globe-like ball that sat on the back counter of the sink allowed the sink stopper to close. Both are design differences that seem unusual to me with our faucets in the US. There’s no value judgment attached on whether they’re good, just interesting to note.
Another quirky difference: When we received our bathroom towels, we noted the lack of washcloths. We questioned that, but it appears that European hotels do not provide washcloths. They seem to consider it a waste of water to wash and they prefer to use loofahs and sponges. (But they don’t provide those alternatives to hotel guests.)
As noted in my prior column, the use of stairs in public transportation locations is prevalent. I don’t know how accommodations for people with disabilities are handled. Elevators or lifts were not noticeable everywhere. I need to investigate.
Some of the small differences, when considering people, can be the same everywhere. There are grouchy, caring, quiet, and effusive people everywhere. Even the universal greeting, Bon Jour, can be different for every person. Some would say it with no flourishes, no warmth. At the other end of the spectrum, the voice goes up, the equivalent of a verbal exclamation is included, and there is an emphatic note to it. There is no doubt with the second version you’re being welcomed. For the first version, I would generously say they were having a bad day. Or maybe they really are a grouch, but then they’re misplaced working in a hospitality position.
There is a strong public campaign to save the environment in France and in the U.K. In the US, when using a hotel, we cynically thought how hotels were saving on their bottom line if they urged our care for the environment.
We found a quirky way one hotel seemed to be expressing their caring with another approach. When we asked that the room not have bedding changed every day and only have supplies replaced, the supervisor said to tell the front desk. The hotel has a children’s charity they contribute to for each day we don’t have the room cleaned. I want to know more, but it seems like an excellent idea!
And, when I saw and talked with the people I encountered with an eye to their reading, I learned some disappointing, but also heartening news. One woman in her twenties says she doesn’t like to read! Her college degree in English literature, and she’s French, must have turned her off. I wish I could change that feeling for her! There were also numerous people reading on their electronic devices. I saw one sign for a “bibliothèque,” a library. We needed to catch a tram, so I didn’t stop. Next time I will.
For an author, and in my case, lifelong teacher of reading and writing, our lives and livelihoods are tied up with our ability to read. Literacy is essential.
I saw that dramatically when I was a child. My grandmother, who came from overseas as an adolescent, did not read English. Women weren’t given that privilege back then. She faked it well, but I figured it out when she asked me to pick up a can of green peas at the store down the street. She gave me money and I headed to the little food market. I picked out a can that had “Green Peas” emblazoned on the label, but that didn’t have a picture of green peas shown.
When I returned with the peas, she shook her head. As I was her favorite grandchild, she wouldn’t show her disappointment in me. I told her that the can did have peas in it. She opened it and saw I was correct. I also figured out that she only bought produce or items that she could see the ingredients inside (like noodles or meat), or canned items with pictures. I realized how lucky I am. I’ve felt lucky ever since.
So, please read. If you don’t favor romances, but why wouldn’t you?—After all, they’re about love and happiness.—Read other things that expand your mind and make you think. Contact me by email and I’ll be glad to offer recommendations. Shelley@ShelleySommers.com
Also, if you feel inclined to read, try my fun, new read, Love at First Sight, which has characters with a sense of humor, love, steamy scenes, and challenges. Find it on your favorite book seller.
Check in with my blog or sign up on the bottom of my website page, shelleysommers.com, which will put you on my mailing list to receive the blogs—PLUS—You’ll receive, as my gift, my new, steamy romantic short story, “The Bride Wore White.” (It’s new and unpublished elsewhere!)
NOTE: Since I wrote the above, I found the “code” to disability access to the trams/underground. About every other station, at least on the Piccadilly line, offers access “step-free from train to street” or “step free from platform to street.” That doesn’t cover everything, but is better than I had previously seen.
Bye for now – And, wherever you travel,
Enjoy the adventure!
Shelley Sommers
Romance Author
Louisa’s Vineyard Series