|
|
Post by trechic on Jul 26, 2007 7:14:16 GMT -5
I leave for Paris (first trip) three months to the day today!! I have not been doing much as I had accumulated so much information and done so much planning and then with work getting in the way of my spending much time here with all of you, that it is feeling well....not quite real to me lately.
I think I need some encouragement and support from all of you. I still get that feeling of anxiousness at taking this trip to this strange to me city all by myself. Am I ready? Can I do this? Of course, I know that I can... it is just at the moment feeling more like "fear" than excitement. Not sure what that is about, really, but I know you all will get me back into the "ether" which is where I would like to be with regard to it all...
Thanking you all in advance...Tre
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Jul 26, 2007 7:34:38 GMT -5
Trechic, it's perfectly normal to be bit anxious when you're about to do something new and unknown. Sort of like jumping off the deep end of the pool for the first time. You're going to be fine. Really! (We promise! Would we lie to you???  ) |
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Jul 26, 2007 8:56:03 GMT -5
Well I've yet to jump into the deep end of a pool...but I have jumped into Paris!  You will Love it and be absolutely fine! I'm curious as to what area you will be in? The first time I was on my own there for several days I got lost, it rained(of course it did! ;D), I couldn't find the wine bar I had carefully selected from my Frommer's guide(it had closed..was located in that little passage off of Rue Royale which was closed too at that hour because at that time all that was left there were shops that were not open late! I, of course thought I was going bonkers! Didn't figure this out until a few trips later! :  In case this is not reassuring you...drowned rat that I was I started heading, dinnerless, back to my hotel. Walked past Maison de Alsace ..where everyone appeared to be having such a good time... did my mantras, Helen Reddy, whatever..walked in and haven't looked back since!! (slight exaggeration, there may be moments, but then you just remember the last one and proceed as before I had a lovely dinner, went back to the hotel happy and full, standing at the elevator ready for bed...when I hear "La Vie en Rose" being played on a piano in the hotel bar! Went in, had a coupe de champagne, made friends, and the rest is history!(and soon to be present, and future! ;D) So keep planning, getting excited, and a little anxious is fine too! |
|
|
|
Post by cybee on Jul 26, 2007 9:08:08 GMT -5
Geordy, what a lovely description of your first solo time in Paris! What hotel were you at when you heard "La Vie En Rose" being played on the piano in the hotel bar? Sounds perfect! (speaking of which, I hope to see that very movie this Sunday! ). I would like to explore Paris someday solo, but first I plan to take my sweet teen(s) with me !
I can be a scaredy cat too , prior to trying new things, but oh, they can also be the most wonderful things to ever have happened to me also!
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Jul 26, 2007 10:11:13 GMT -5
Trechic - Consider it a blessing that you're taking this trip by yourself because you'll be free to do whatever you want whenever you want. Paris is pretty easy to get around, so you don't have to worry about getting lost or anything like that. As you know, there are so many places to visit, and you have a list of things to do, etc., but you never have to stick to your list. You can play it by ear, and I'm sure that you will at times. We will be thinking of you with envy while you're there, and if you have time, you might even think of us.  Enjoy thinking about your trip. You'll absolutely love Paris, and I'm certain that you'll have a lot to share with us once you return. |
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 26, 2007 10:31:50 GMT -5
Trechic - yes, it's a bit unnerving to visit Paris for the first time totally on your own. But, trust me that you will get much more out of the experience for having done it alone the first time. Every every nerve ending will be tuned in to your environment, all the time! It may be some kind of primal thing, but you really will learn/do more and you will have very vivid memories of all of it. (Plus, of course, you will have photos to "share with the class"!) It's great to go with others (and you will do that later), but you are going to be very glad you did this! As you will have guessed, my first trip to Paris also was solo - and I've always been glad of that - on the other hand, a close friend only went alone last year for the first time (we came over three days later and joined her), and was amazed at how much she enjoyed it. (I did refrain -- but just barely -- from saying "told you so".) Just trust the universe, and know that nothing is going to go irretrievably wrong (and anything short of irretrievable, of course, just makes for good stories later!). Relax, trust your instincts, and just have fun with it! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 26, 2007 10:39:17 GMT -5
So Geordy, was the coupe de champagne avec "La Vie en Rose" in the hotel bar how you met the S/O ("history, present, and future") who lives and works in Vienna? (Love your story, and good for you for taking life/Paris head-on!)
|
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Jul 26, 2007 11:10:17 GMT -5
Geordy are you referring to "I am Woman, I'm invincible........"?
Yes, one of my mantas also, but what's funny I just burned that to a CD yesterday for a friend
|
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Jul 26, 2007 11:25:42 GMT -5
trechic- I also wanted to say to you. Take a deep breath, it will soon be here. As I said to someone else once you are there you will see why we all love it.
I had a made a count down sheet and each day blocked out that day, soon it was 8 weeks, then 4 then 10 days then voila!
I'm assuming you are going to be there the end of October so if you're there Halloween, raise a glass (red please) for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 26, 2007 11:31:58 GMT -5
trechic
1) You cannot get lost in Paris, that is impossible.
Bring a good street map - or buy one. Maybe you can buy one at amazon.com in advance and "practice" at home.
I bought myself a new "Paris Pratique par Arrondissement" L'indispensable - in a bookshop (Place des Abbesses) - maybe 3-5 euro, something like that. Small thin booklet, 11 x 17 cm, dark blue with white print + red band on the cover. Has metro map, RER map, bus map PLUS an absolutely 100% exhaustive street index - AND an equally precise map of each arrondissement.
With that in hand nothing can go wrong, I promise.
2) Buy a "carnet" of 10 metro tickets (also valid for the busses) on your first day. There is always a metro station or busstop close to you and then it's nice to have a ticket ready.
3) Bring some euros (e.g. 250) in cash from home, not too big notes, ask for some tens and twenties, so that you don't get all stressy about finding a cash-automat (is ATM the word ?) at a bank/postoffice
4) Tell yourself that Paris lies before your feet as ONE BIG BIRTHDAY PRESENT waiting just for YOU to come and unwrap her !! I promise you, even all the mistakes and embarrassements and doing-it-wrongs that you can possibly run into, will be precious memories that only YOU know about, to keep in your heart. Memories that are yours alone and which can make you chuckle and smile and shed a tear for apparently no reason at all.
I have one for you. One of my last days in Paris this summer I recorded with my cellphone a metro musician in metro station Concorde. He was playing the old Abba-song "The Winner takes it all" on his wooden panflute (is it also called that en anglais ?), accompanied softly by his ghettoblaster. At the end you can hear the metro coming in and the brakes shrieking - the sweetest music on earth. I played it this afternoon in my car with the cellphone in the handsfree set and I shed a few tears from longing so much to go back. Not truly sad tears, because they are always mixed with happy memories.
I almost envy you ! The first trip is like no other. Bon Voyage !
|
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Jul 26, 2007 21:13:39 GMT -5
No Becky,
S/O was already in my life(he joined me later in the trip..a long story..and is American!! just lives and works in Austria:o ) That love affair is all/just Paris!!!
And yes Penny, that's it! I always refer to the line "If I have to I can do anything" but stress the operative words are "If I Have To" ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by goldenmama on Jul 27, 2007 4:19:52 GMT -5
:)Trechic, after having been in Paris I would have no qualms about being there by myself. It was very easy to navigate, and I felt quite safe. I know you will have a wonderful time!
|
|
|
|
Post by trechic on Jul 27, 2007 6:52:07 GMT -5
Thank you everyone, sooooooooo much for all of your encouragement! I am back on track!! Gitte, thank you for that list...and yes..I have attempted to try to get that map you mentioned, but figured I would just wait til I arrive. I have in the meantime, been studying my maps (well not lately as much) so I do feel as though I have a good sense of it. I do expect to be lost a lot! For those, who asked, I will be staying in the 4th in a small studio apt on rue Bourg-Tibourg. I actually have to pay in full in Euros when I arrive, so I will need to be travelling with a large amount anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Jul 27, 2007 6:57:34 GMT -5
The location of your apartment sounds great. You'll have no trouble getting around from there. I really don't think you will get lost, but even if you do, it's no big deal. Once again, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. |
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 27, 2007 8:26:40 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by joan1 on Jul 30, 2007 1:46:50 GMT -5
trechic,, I just want to encourage you,, and remind you that it is only all this time you have to pass before your trip that is bringing out the willies in you!! You will be fine... I wish I was going to be in Paris when you are so I could arrange a dinner with you, that is fun. May be on your NEXT trip( see I am so confident there will be another trip as you will fall madly in love with Paris, LOL ) .
My number one advice for solo travel is to bring a few books you love to read to pass the time late at night or at a dinner table, I actually love love love to read so being able to read at mealtime is a treat to me.. I like being by myself during the day and sightseeing, but I will admit dinners are not as fun on your own, UNLESS , you love to read as I do!
|
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 30, 2007 1:54:58 GMT -5
Agree with joan1 that books are important. I buy new exciting books (mostly bloddthirsty crime/detective novels) that have received excellent reviews and save them for my next trip !! Then I have yet another thing to look forward to !!
Also buy a small notebook and write a diary - not only will you have something to do at the café table (besides people watching). It also helps you remembering what you experienced on your trip, each day. ALSO a diary is completely indispensable when you write your tripreports for us to enjoy !!
p.s. Virgin Megastore in Champs Elysées has a rather good wide range of books in English. Reading French is good exercise, but not always as relaxing as reading in your own language.
|
|
|
|
Post by trechic on Jul 31, 2007 7:04:46 GMT -5
Thanks Joan, Gitte! Yes eating alone is a bit unnerving for me as it is something I never do at home. I do plan on writing a lot while I am there. Gitte, I am saving Pillars of the Earth for when I am there. Everyone who has mentioned it since you had, just absolutely loved it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 31, 2007 8:47:07 GMT -5
You will enjoy "Pillars" very much, and find the cathedrals just that much more fascinating for having an understanding of what it meant to design and build them. (There is an English language book store on rue de Rivoli also, more or less opposite the Louvre - or at least, there was as of a couple of years ago when I last looked.)
|
|
|
|
Post by mez on Jul 31, 2007 8:50:32 GMT -5
You'll have a ball! Don't worry about travelling solo - it's liberating and exciting. Just be careful you don't like it *too* much, otherwise all future trips will be planned this way - lol.
I'm not really into reading books when dining solo but people watching and journal writing are my faves.
The big shame is that there seem to be alot us heading over in Sep/Oct, but all at different times - it would have been great to meet up.
Mez
|
|
)
hahahha