I first learned of "escape rooms" from The Big Bang Theory, that nerdy comedy show from the US. The principle, if I understand it correctly, is that players are locked in a room where they need to find clues and solve puzzles to make their "escape." Apparently, this is a global thing that I had otherwise not heard of. Last week, I saw this storefront in central Angoulême. I was curious, so I googled it and found out that it's indeed a chain of locations around France that offers "escape games." Who knew?
We escaped from central Angoulême. Ourselves.
Driving into and out of central Angoulême was challenge enough for me. Here's a puzzle: why is "into" one word and "out of" two words?
Just the thought of an Escape Room stresses me out. And since when is “outof” two words?
ReplyDeleteMitch, I have the same feeling about Escape Rooms. We had to do one as a team building activity at work, and I just didn't enjoy it at all.
DeleteMy CA son and family like these rooms. We have one nearby so we did it once and made in out...barely. I tried again with my niece and family and we didn't make it out. You need clever people and the younger the better lol. I will send this photo to my son.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn
You didn't make it out? Are you still there? I guess there is some way to get out if you can't.
DeleteStill there, Andrew! No the youngsters in charge freed us, but we didn't get to escape on our own.
DeleteEvelyn
I find it interesting that "Escape Room" is written in English. I, too, am puzzled by "into" and "out of".
ReplyDeleteWe went with one daughter's family to an escape room in the mountains near L.A. Tony and I were able to solve one clue each--not too hard--and the grandchildren (teens) did the rest. An escape room in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was much more difficult. Our daughter and teen granddaughters did the whole thing, and Tony and I just admired the clever story, art, and music. I'm not surprised the French like them too; aren't board game cafés a thing there? -- Chrissoup
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Escape Rooms all started with The Big Bang Theory (I used to enjoy it a lot!) -I must have missed that show. I believe they are available here - if they are still a going business. So many small businesses closed during the pandemic I would bet it has closed. They sounded a big frenetic to me... and stressful. Not my idea of a fun evening. I love mysteries, I will check to see if one is till open - maybe it would be curious to go with some friends!
ReplyDeleteMy husband watches one old BB every night. I like it also for the unique characters. An Escape Room requires clever friends who can follow clues for about an hour.
DeleteEvelyn
What kind of clues do they give? Was yours just one room? I checked and there are three choices of venues here and they are not cheap: $125/escape / $40/person/ $250 for a group and each person pays $15!!! (3 different escape prices) With prices like that I think I will forgo the pleasure (?).
DeleteI suppose escape rooms are enjoyable for some. I've seen them here but they aren't of interest to me.
ReplyDeleteFor Mary in Oregon. Clue example: there's a map on the wall, and a telegram in a drawer that has letters and numbers that can be unscrambled into coordinates that lead to a word on the map, that hints at the solution for another puzzle that turns out to be ransom note...etc etc. They are expensive, but the one in SF that we went to was our all-family Christmas gift, and we had a great time, even though I had no idea what was happening. The one in Los Angles was two rooms, the one in SF was perhaps four connected rooms/areas. -- Chrissoup
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Chris! I like the idea of a Christmas or ??? present that includes me! Being single, now, it is great fun to do a 'big event' like that. Lots of good memories from your all-family affair, I bet!
ReplyDelete