Nearly two years ago I met a close friend of mine in Lisbon. She in her own words came to say her…read moregoodbyes and prophesied that I would end up dead within the next two weeks. Some friend right? I was using Lisbon as my launching point to Iran. I had grown very curious of the country and made arrangements to get my visa in the UK and booked my vacation into one the "Axis of Evil". I was due back in Paris in two week and promised her that I would in fact return alive and meet her back at her apartment. On the morning of my departure I asked her which metro stop was nearest to her place. "Monkey up my a**" (rhymes with Bass) Excuse me? The Montparnasse - Bienvenue Metro stop is neither glitzy or sleek. It doesn't drop you at the steps of the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame. You do not walk outside and are greeted by sweeping views from a top Sacre-Coeur. Nor are you dropped off on a quiet Parisian street full of quaint cafes or cheese shops. Montparnasse - Bienvenue is not sexy, but it's right in the smack of real Paris. This is a working class neighborhood where real people live and work. The streets are noisy, busy and full of bustle. But there is something special about the neighborhood. The people here are genuine. They love visitors, as they usually only get a few glimpses of tourists walking hurriedly past making their towards the Latin Quarter. Next time you find yourself in the City of Lights, take a moment and head here. Walk into a local eatery and order a cheap bottle of Burgundy. If you do, I promise you two things. 1. The wine will be the best cheap bottle you have ever tasted. 2. You will love and appreciate Paris for the rest of your life.

From the owner: Entièrement automatique Le métro de Lille est un réseau métropolitain desservant la ville de Lille…read moreet une partie de son agglomération. Il a été le tout premier métro entièrement automatique au monde. Avec 2 lignes en site propre (souterraines ou sur viaducs) d'une longueur totale d'environ 45 kilomètres et 60 stations, il est le plus long réseau de métro automatique au monde.

I have only used the bus that runs between the cities of Mons and Soignies. OK, Soignies is more…read moreof a town. The buses are usually punctual and the drivers are very nice and drive in a professional manner. You pay cash for the ride as you get on the bus. It's 2.30 Euro for the trip that I usually take, so I try to have the right cash or at least a 5 or 10 Euro note.