by Minter Dial | Dec 4, 2009 | Travel
I had my first ‘motorcycle taxi’ ride last Friday. It turned out to be a classic experience of getting to the airport JIT (just in time). My flight was at 4:15pm and I left my meeting at the MEDA headquarters at 2:30pm. According to the driver, we would arrive within...
by Minter Dial | Aug 10, 2009 | New Tech, Politics
When I was in London recently, I observed a lady parking warden walk up to a street sign and snap some close up photographs. It was a curious sight, as I initially imagined that it might be a cross between curiosity and tourism. Then, she went some five or so metres...
by Minter Dial | Aug 6, 2009 | Travel
If you drive a car in Paris, then you know what a daily battle it is to find a parking place…. especially one that is not under a pigeon-infested tree which will cause the chrome paint to dissolve the following morning because of all the pigeon dooodoo. On...
by Minter Dial | Jun 4, 2009 | Environment, Travel
Another Idea for the Environment: Eco-Conscious Parking Cards I have long enjoyed the card machines that you use in Paris to pay for your street parking. Originally, you used coins to pay, then they introduced the prepaid cards (e.g. 10€ or 30€ option). Naturally, it...
by Minter Dial | Feb 11, 2009 | Travel
The wheels are coming off the track for the Vélib bicycle programme in Paris, a subject I have been following since its inception. According to this BBC write-up (taken in turn from Le Parisien), the Parisians seem to have taken a little too much liberty with the vélo...