So, do mufflers not exist in France or what? I bring up this question only because there seems to be a plethera of French guys on motorcycles or what really look like glorified mopeds, and none of them seem to have mufflers. The French just go cruising through the streets making the worst racket I have heard come out of a motorized vehicle since I began my little life. And really, it isn't just the French, but the Spanish as well. There are tons of these same vehicles in Barcelona, riproaring through the center areas of town that are already full of people to the point that you wonder, what is the point of a motorcycle is you can only go as fast as the person dawdeling in front of you? They speed up and slow down so much that at first you think your ears are going to burst, then you fear for your life, afraid that at any second they will see an opening in the sidewalk and attempt to squeeze their unnecessarilly loud scooter through it, caring not if you or your friend, or even your dog, is in the way. All of this speeding up and slowing down must cost a ton in gas, but that is the french for you: drive as fast as you can for as long as you can and break just as you are about to give the person in the road a heartattack. Screw "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity", that should be the new motto of France. Perhaps one day they will realize that they will save a lot more gas, and therefore a lot more money (gas is considered very expensive here) if they learn to drive a little more like the americans. Or at least, hopefully one day they will realize that the reason they can't hear so well isn't because they spent their youth listening to bad american music (they try to blame all their problems on us), but it was because they refused to quiet their motorcycles.
Conclusion of the day: save some ears, get a muffler.

Continuing on with the theme of movies in France, why do the French stay through the entire movie AND the credits? I saw three movies this week, all of them VERY good, and at each one, when american would normally start putting on their coats while discussing what to do after 2 hours in the darkness, the French sit comfortably in their chairs and watch as the credits roll by on a big black screen. Are they waiting to see just who was the props master for Pulp Fiction? Or perhaps who was the best boy for Wonder Boys? Maybe they were dying to know just who did the subtitles for Liberty Heights? I honestly can't figure it out. Are americans just unappreciative of those who work behind the scenes? My experience in acting and theater would lean towards yes, having seen few actors thank and appreciate the backstage crew and everyone who works behind the curtain to make a show happen. Those credits are there for a reason, to show the appreciation deserved of the people who work day in and day out and got no publicity or awards for what they do. So perhaps I will take a hint from the french and start staying through the credits. I'm rarely in a rush to get anywhere, maybe it's time I figured out just who catered the people I have been watching for the last two hours.
Conclusion de jour: stick around and see who makes the magic happen.