As a non US consumer, I have some observations:

something to consider is access to various things that require passwords - most obviously electronic banking, social media, computers, cellphones, tablets, dropbox type services, anything that needs a fingerprint / password to be enabled. AND importantly, create a will. Do it today and have it notarized by Friday.

Perhaps it’s time to add a line into the menu/at the entrance “rude and/or entitled behavior towards our servers / staff will not be tolerated.”

I go by the “room temperature” adage, BUT I remember that a room in a stone built chateau is somewhat cooler than West Africa, so my red gets chilled to 12-16Celcius (52-60F)

actual physical knobs for the radio volume and tuning...

Having spent a good many years loading and unloading car carrier vessels, I’m surprised that the fire wasn’t able to be extinguished by the onboard suppression system. Its the norm that the crew carry out regular walk through inspections in all decks, and any abnormal situation should be responded to immediately. The…

hopefully when (if?) you get to South Africa, stop in and visit Harper Sports Cars in Cape Town. 

I’m loving the little directional cues before each turn, and the “X marks the apex” signs! Eases the old memory banks...

Why are we not challenging people to survive for 24 hours on a bowl of salad? Seriously, extreme eating challenges are a health hazard...

interesting - had a conversation with an Uber driver here in South Africa, and he stated that Uber fines him AND passes a refund to riders who are “inconvenienced / put at risk” by the driver speeding. I’ve not found a single rider I know who has received a refund from Uber as a result of the driver speeding.

Most times the marshals will tell you the fire extinguisher in the car is to put out the driver... 

Here’s a beetle from Cape Town...

Of course they do build another model not for US markets..

As its known that the fizziness in carbonated alcoholic beverages cause the alcohol to be absorbed faster, can it be extrapolated that fizzy water may be able to rehydrate one faster? I understand it’s to do with the co2 bubbles stimulating the stomach lining. Just curious.

What is this Dryuary of which you speak? The month following December has always been Ginuary...

I never ceased to be amazed that so many seemingly well educated, intelligent, erudite people are duped by these “snake oil” salesmen. Is it that we have become so desperate for a “cure” for certain conditions that are “incurable” under current scientific knowledge, that some will resort to this quackery?

Most expensive: toss up between my Anova circulator and my Chef knife from the Japanese knife shop in London.

One minor point - most US domestic market sedans are not available as right hand drive models... which Japan requires.

I’d go with equal parts gin and tonic....

I’ve been DD’ing my Harper for several years now...