One if the joys of being an independent journalist is that one has the opportunity to enjoy the good things in life, such as sitting in a cafe in Paris, breakfasting on a tartine and coffee, followed by a brisk walk up to the snowy Champs de Mars. This morning’s task was to get a tourist visa for Cuba, which was delightfully easy compared to the rigmarole that one goes through getting press visas for such places as China, India and, dare I say it, the United States of America. Having experience with these things I allotted the morning to the task, but it was accomplished in five minutes, so I am going for a small wander and then will head to the post office to pick up an obscure French book about the ill-fated Paris-Madrid race of 1903.
If anything happens in the F1 world, then all is well and good. At lunchtime there is a telephone conference for some of the F1 media with Toto Wolff, the new boss of Mercedes motorsport, so we can find out more about how he ended up in the role, and what he hopes to achieve. But that’s in a few hours so I am off to enjoy the morning in the City of Light.
Sounds wonderful – that’s living life to the full Joe. My town isn’t quite like Paris but I shall join you in spirit with a coffee in the snow!
Can you ask for a conference with the position of Toto Wolff and Mercedes DTM tests for Robert Kubica?
Enjoy that Parisien coffee, Joe, it sound’s delightful. I’m sure it must be moments like this that see you through all those long flights and crowded airport terminals week in, week out. Enjoy the blog, always.
Joe, can I know the title of the book about the Paris-Madrid race? Is “The race Bugatti missed” by Ulrich, or one of the books that Jean-Robert Dulier wrote back in the 60s?
Thanks!
I honestly cannot remember.
Visa for Cuba? Wonder how immigration in the States will react to that when you go there for this year’s GP!
the joy of two passports?
Ask him how much he’s looking forward to working with Paddy Lowe again (the other story, of course, from the red-hot Bild)…
Nice to have a free morning! Enjoy.
A visa for Cuba? I just walked off the plane when I travelled around in ’06. Castro’s must have heard about the Mole.
Cuba? If you think the internet connection in the F1 paddock is bad…..
F1 journalism must be well paid if you can afford a coffee and tartine in Paris!
Choose you cafe carefully and you can easily avoid the Champos Elysees etc rip-offs. Just a street or two away from the main boulevards. Less fun but much nicer people. And yes, many good restaurants still have waiters in long aprons.
On another note; and, linking the ‘spend’ going on at Mercedes F1: Is Andy Latham still on paternity leave?
No idea.
Just got back from Paris Joe. I assume you didn’t drive – we left Sunday morning with thick snow on the ground (before they cleared the roads in the centre) which made driving, shall we say, interesting!
All the time you gained today, you’ll lose at Cuba’s customs. Do not expect to leave the airport within an hour and half from touch down. After that, you’ll find that Cuba is a wonderful country. I was there a couple of years ago and discovered that the Malacon boulevard still looked exactly like the 1950′s GP pictures!
Few travelling tips:
-Never eat in state restaurants, always go to private family restaurants (paladares). Much better food and you’ll meet some nice people.
-If you hire a car, pick one with big fat balloon tyres and make sure they’re all right, including the spare. You will encounter road wide, 30 cm deep potholes, also on the main highways. (By the way, in some tourist areas occasionally people will bleed your tyres and try to convince you you have a flat).
-Rum should be at least 7 years old
-The Vinalles area is breathtaking. Plus you can drive up to any farm and buy some nice cuban cigars at a reasonable price.
-I found the Lonely Planet guide for Cuba to be excellent.
Any way, have fun over there.
For the run, get Caney Anejo Centuria. Best I have ever tasted and its the only spirit I drink.
Very envious. I haven’t been for a while. Are the garcons still meticulously professional frenchmen in black ties and white aprons? Is it still the best coffee served in just the right size of cup? Still cost a franc, plus 50 centimes tip? Are there still those dark green buses trundling past with a little low gate at the rear?
Or am I stuck in another century?
Nothing wrong with dreams!
Try 8 euros!