The Toilets of Europe
Posted by Sierra
We’ve told you about Canadian toilets (see: Washroom Etiquette). But do you know about The Toilets of Europe? Here’s a crash course.
First, I’ll cover the basic three rules:
1. Toilets are usually called “WCs” or “Toilettes.”
2. The way a toilet flushes varies widely.
3. The hand dryers can be very hot.
Let’s break these down:
1. Toilets […]
Shrooms: Separated at birth?
Posted by Stan
Imagine our surprise to run into these giant mushrooms in Italy earlier this week. (In case you didn’t notice how they inspired Sierra, here is her post.)
We thought immediately of the “hoo doos” we saw in Alberta, Canada, back at the beginning of July (right after leaving Dinosaurland — Sierra’s post). Three-plus months. […]
Sierra’s Mushroom Myth
Posted by Sierra
In the Piemonte area in Italy, there are giant mushrooms. Not real ones. Stone mushrooms. (A photo.)
The Italians call them “Ciciu d’opera,” or “Stone puppets.” I call ‘em giant mushrooms. They are made of gneiss, rocks that have rolled downhill and packed together. But enough scientific talk. It’s time for the part of […]
Another Unsatisfied Customer
Dear US Airways,
I regret to inform you that we have had an unsatisfactory flight on one of your airplanes. This flight was from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Frankfurt, Germany. It was Flight 704, and the plane was A330.
The first unsatisfactory thing to happen happened when we were still on the ground. There was a 45-minute […]
Best (and Worst) of the Trip, Part 1
We, the Hieronymus/Labinsky family, have decided to put together a “Best (and Worst) of the Trip” list. There will be four lists, each for a leg of our trip, and this is the first one.
Best Meal: beerbistro, Toronto
Best RV-Cooked Meal: Pasta With Red Peppers and Tomato Sauce (Sierra calls it Tomato-Pepper Pasta)
Worst Meal: Kelly O’Bryans, […]
What if the RV were a hotspot?
Posted by Stan
We’ve completed most of the tasks we need to before we park the RV and head off to Europe for 15 weeks, from winterizing it (since it will be December when we return) to having the leak around the skylight fixed.
And we’ve talked a bit about if we should go with a wireless […]
Canada’s like the U.S., except …
Posted by Daria
Words spelled differently: tonne, harbour, centre, etc.
Interesting foods: Poutine (French fries, gravy, and cheese curds); dulse (seaweed); ketchup-flavoured potato chips; donair (meat cooked like a gyro, also a sandwich); coffee cream
Interesting highway signs:
Please keep a safe gap from vehicle ahead
Physical depiction of blowing wind god’s head to denote windy highway
Slippery When […]
You meet the nicest people
Posted by Stan
Would you drive three hours out of your way to see this? You would if you are a Slow Traveler.
We didn’t know anything about “the world’s largest illuminated fiddle” until we saw the image on a postcard in a Cape Breton gift shop. It’s not just that we have an affection for roadside […]
Washroom Etiquette
Posted by Daria
Note: All the incidents that prompted the following rules occurred in Canada, where they call restrooms washrooms.
1. If you are going to let your dog drink out of the toilet, raise the seat.
2. If you’re mad about something, don’t vent it by tearing paper towels out of the dispenser and ripping them apart […]
Wi-Fi is the new HBO
Posted by Stan
Older towns that once served roads other than interstate highways are full of signs hanging on shuttered motels advertising “color TV” and “free cable TV” or, if they were cutting edge, “HBO.”
Today the signs on chain hotels that mostly serve interstates more likely advertise “high speed Internet” — and any more that’s “Free […]