JSG PRODUCT REVIEWS
by JSG Editor-in-Chief Ron Stern

American Airlines
Flying internationally can be a good or bad experience, depending upon the airlines and class of service. Having flown coach most of my life, I have experienced, witnessed—and smelled—nearby passengers getting sick, had my knees crushed from the reclining passenger in front of me, and had my hearing and back assaulted by screaming kids who kicked my seat all the way from New York to Amman, Jordan.

On a recent trip to London, however, my wife, Nancy, and I were fortunate enough to fly in American’s first-class cabin. All I can say is that if you ever wanted to splurge and make yourself a little more comfortable, this (or even business class) is the way to go.

The cabins are so spacious you feel as though you are in someone’s upscale living room. Seats recline into a flat bed, making it easy to get some sleep and land refreshed. Then there is the food. Cabin staff don’t stop feeding you from the moment you board to the moment you land. I think I gained five pounds before I ever actually got to London.

The menu included an appetizer of honey ginger shrimp, fresh greens with parmesan peppercorn dressing, and a choice of entrees. I chose the grilled fillet of beef with a plum demi-glace. It was served with cabbage flan and wild mushroom ragout. Each meal was offered with premium wines carefully selected by some of the top experts in the field. It was airline food, yet everything was delicious, perfectly spiced, hot and served on china. The hot fudge sundae afterward was more than I could eat—but I managed anyway.

American is constantly improving its premium class services. Currently, their 767-300 and 777 aircraft are being upgraded with the new lie flat Next Generation Business Class seating systems. These feature portable, personal in-flight entertainment, ergonomically designed overhead bins, fully adjustable seats, and a new tray table design.

American is also expanding its key international routes, including to and from Shanghai, and will be offering more options for flying in and out of New York airports.

For more information visit www.AA.com.

Casio Exilim EX V7
Based on new features alone, the Casio Exilim V7 can easily compete with a typical point and shoot camera. Although there is no view finder, no one will complain about the well lit (and spacious) LCD screen that can light up or down, according to what's needed. It also contains a best shot mode that features thirty different settings (such as children, fireworks, eBay, pets, and flowers). Just switch the dial for the perfect picture. An hour of video footage can be shot in the best shot mode and the camera has the typical automatic and manual features as well as a black and white option. The buttons are simple and easy to use on this camera ideal for the photographer wanting the simplest way to a perfect shot. Average cost is about $400. For more information visit: exilim.casio.com/v7.

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"Caribbean Sunset"
by Vivienne Mackie

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by Vivienne Mackie

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From the Traveler’s Bookshelf by Vivienne Mackie, JSG Fiesta Editor

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris, by Sarah Turnbull.

Traveling of any sort requires an adjustment in our regular lifestyle. And those adjustments become harder and bigger the further from our homes we are — whether geographically or culturally. Traveling to, and living in, another country perhaps requires the biggest adjustment of all, as we try to find out what this new culture is and how it works.

Many books have been written on Culture Shock, and many authors have told us what it’s like to move to another country. So, when I started reading Almost French I wondered if it would turn out to be another ‘Year in Provence, or Tuscany, or wherever.’ In some respects, this book covers the same ground, but in many other ways Sarah Turnbull delves deeper and we end up with a much better understanding of what it means “to be French.”

Turnbull is an Australian who meets a Frenchman, Frederic, in Romania. She travels to Paris to visit him, ends up staying, and eventually marries him. This memoir tells of the ups and downs of trying to fit into French society, of trying to understand its paradoxes. Turnbull is as equally open with criticism of herself and her wrong moves and interpretations as she is with the stiff society she’s trying to break into.

Food, cooking, and dining customs play a large part in her learning curve, as do language innuendos, looking for a job, meeting Frederic’s family, and trying to make French friends. After six years she begins to feel partly like an insider (hence the title of the book), but knows there’s still more to learn. “It just takes time in France,” as Frederic says to her many times.

The memoir is written in a wry, humorous way that I found beguiling, but I couldn’t finish it in one sitting as it’s just a bit too long — although I gave it my best shot! It’s a good, fun read whether you’re planning to visit France or not.

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