If you don’t have a European “Chip ‘n Pin” debit card, coins are about the only way you can buy a Metro ticket at Gare du Nord, and if you don’t have coins, go buy a box of tic-tac to break a bill. At the end of a very long day of traveling it’s hard to be philosophical – but this is my effort …

The mothership for steamer trunks … Is there anything more satisfying than a battered piece of high end luggage ?

Rue du Rivoli was closed to traffic because of the various Mayday parades and demonstrations. Stores are all closed since Mayday is a labor holiday.

At the Saatchi Gallery – Contemporary works from Indian artists …

Mansoor Ali

Shezad Dawood

Subodh Gupta

Rajan Krishnan

Bharti Kher

Tushar Joag

The “London Eye” has been a love/hate touchstone – I think I hate it. But I do love the new pedestrian bridges – well conceived, well designed, well executed.