OK, maybe that headline won’t surprise you. Here’s a stereotype that is backed up by hard data.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has released a report detailing sleeping and eating habits of 18 of the world’s developed countries.
It’s conclusion: The French sleep and eat more than any other people in the developed world.
Specifically, the study found that the French sleep an average of nine hours every night, which is about 30 minutes longer than the average American does. The Japanese and Koreans average less than eight hours of sleep a night.
As far as eating goes, the French spend more than two hours per day, on average, eating — roughly twice the time Americans spend eating.
The French are also world leaders for taking vacation, an average of 35 days a year — but the OECD study didn’t address that.
So what do slam clickers, Laughlin, Nevada, and Bob the singing pilot all have in common? Not much. But I’m determined to link them all together in order to show you a photo gallery from my husband’s recent trip to Laughlin, Nevada and a funny video of Bob, the singing pilot, at a nightclub in Paris on a layover (at the end of this post). I can do this. Really I can.
A few months ago when my husband told me he wanted to ride his Harley to Laughlin for some biker thing called River Run, I said, “Okay.”
“I’ll be gone for four nights,” he clarified, looking me intently in the eye.
“That’s fine. I don’t care,” I said, because I didn’t care. I mean what’s not to love about having the entire house to myself for four days straight? “Just stay out of trouble,” I added, because it seemed like an important thing to add.
“Are you sure?” he asked, still studying my face for signs of what, I don’t know.
“Yes! Go! And have fun!” I demanded, and I meant it, too. I did! If he wanted to take a few days to get away, I had no problem with that. I think everybody should be able to take a few days and get away. It does a marriage good. But then I reminded him, “Just stay out of trouble!” Not that he would get into any trouble, he’s not a troublemaker, but lord knows I didn’t want to have to load my son into the mommy mobile and drive down there to save him.
All of this talk about getting away reminds me of a quick four-day Carnival Cruise trip I took to Mexico out of Florida with an old boyfriend many years ago. I’ll never forget sitting at the dinner table surrounded by three other couples we had just met. We were all the same age – in our late twenties. When I happened to mention that I was a flight attendant, one of the wives said, “I always wanted to be a flight attendant. It sounds like a lot of fun.”
Before I could tell her that it was, indeed, a lot of fun, she added, looking longingly at the man sitting beside her, “But I really can’t imagine being away from my husband for more than a night. How do you do it?”
I just smiled. There was nothing else to say.
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Flight attendants are an eccentric bunch. There’s no doubt about it, we’ve got all kinds working for the airlines. But if there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s the ability to be alone – for more than a night. And the ability to enjoy being alone. As well as allowing the ones we know and love a little space and time to themselves. So when my husband jumped on his bike and roared away, I didn’t resent him for doing so. Just the opposite. I was glad he could get away. He deserves to have a little fun now and then. Without me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my family and my family loves spending time with me, but we also love our time alone. When I’m working, I cherish those ten hour layovers. That’s me-time. It’s the only time I ever get six hours of uninterrupted sleep without hearing the pitter patter of little feet at wee hours of the night. It’s also the only time I don’t have to watch another episode of Law and Order. That’s right, it’s HGTV for me, baby! All. Night. Long. And there’s nothing like being able to read a good book in bed without someone ordering me to turn off the light! Which is why when I get to my hotel room, I don’t ever leave. I’m what they call a slam clicker.
SLAM CLICK – 1. To go into a room and lock the door. 2. The noise the door makes as one shuts the door and locks themselves in. A term specifically used by (but not limited to) flight crews after finishing a trip and checking into the hotel for a layover. It indicates those members of the crew that go directly to their rooms and don’t go out later with the rest of the crew. I was so exhausted that day, I slam-clicked. I’m a slam-clicker. In fact, I’m slam-clicking it tonight
“Slam clickers are just introverts who simply need to recharge,” The Savvy Navigator said when I confessed my dirty little secret. I say dirty because no one likes a slam clicker. Including me. Which explains why I joined crew members against slam clickers a few months ago after First Officer Bob, the singing pilot, sent me the link via Facebook. I was just too embarrassed not to join, even though I had no business joining, not when I have a two year-old at home.
Now here’s a video of Bob (not slam clicking) on a layover in Paris singing a song he wrote, Pilot Rest Seat Lap Dance. Enjoy
Photographers like to describe the last hour of sunlight before the sun goes down as “the magic hour.” Colors somehow seem more brilliant. Shadows lengthen. All the world somehow seems lit by a golden hue of color and light. Even though this photo of Corsica by Flickr user Michael Joseph Goldst… etc is in black and white, I think it’s a great example of a “magic hour” photo. I love the long shadows and brilliant sun in the background. It lends an air of the surreal to the whole shot, like it was some strange dream.
Have any travel photos you’d like to share with the world? Why not add them to our Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.
One of my favorite aspects of travel is visiting unique markets in foreign countries. These sometimes charming, sometimes chaotic, always fascinating and entertaining places offer up slices of local culture, unusual foods, and a variety of other goods, both common and unidentifiable.
It is in that spirit that BootsnAll gives us a list of eight of the world’s best food markets, offering up great places to shop for fresh food in all corners of the globe. Each of the markets on the list exhibit local influence and style, while providing a shopping experience that is sure to leave an impression on visitors long after they’ve gone home.
For instance, the list starts with Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, a market that has been open for more than 100 years, and specializes in fresh fish and giant crab legs. There are more than 200 merchants in Pike Place, selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade cheeses. The market is even the site of the original Starbucks.
For a completely different experience, head to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia. The article notes that Queen Victoria is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere, offering up plenty of fresh food items, but also electronics, antiques and more. And during the summer months, the night market comes alive with a party atmosphere, with visitors from all walks of life strolling the market late into the evening.
Checkout the other six markets on the list as well, and if you’re traveling to any of these cities in the near future, be sure to drop by one of these markets and explore it for yourself. It is likely to be one of the most unique travel experiences of your life.
Today’s travel deal includes airfare from the US to Paris, then on to Barcelona, then back home. You also get 3 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Barcelona, plus all hotel taxes and breakfast (when available).
Priced out of New York, this deal comes in at just $749. Departures from other airports add a little to the price (For example, Chicago brings the total price to $849).
When you assemble the package, you can add or subtract days in either city, plus you can pick the hotel you want.
This means you can pick a hotel in the city center, or one in suburbs. The Parisian hotel list even lets you stay in Marne La Vallee, which just so happens to be the village where you’ll find Euro Disney.
In addition to booking the package, you can also add ground transportation, tours and other activities.