Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Welcome Home
Sleep tight. I bet work was a drag today, Mike!
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
FRANCEGUIDE 2005 - TABLE OF CONTENTS - France Guide, official site for tourism and travel information on France
Parler Paris Newsletter, Paris France
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Bon Voyage
Have a wonderful time and may your lives change forever. As I write this you should be already on your way.
Auf weider sehn.
Auf weider sehn.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Wi-Fi Hotspot Directory | WLAN Hotspots France, - WiFi Hot Spots - Free Locations - Public Wireless Lan Internet Access
Wi-Fi Hotspot Directory | WLAN Hotspots France, - WiFi Hot Spots - Free Locations - Public Wireless Lan Internet Access
If you are taking a WiFi palm or notebook, here is a hot spot finder.
Even if you don't plan to take WiFi, the map link is great. It is like a GPS mapping system-put in start, destination, way points, wow.
If you are taking a WiFi palm or notebook, here is a hot spot finder.
Even if you don't plan to take WiFi, the map link is great. It is like a GPS mapping system-put in start, destination, way points, wow.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Cheap Hotels in Paris, France - Hotel Comparison
Cheap Hotels in Paris, France - Hotel Comparison
Here is a Brit site that looks good to me. Oh pounds area about $2, Ie. 20 = $40 less actually.
It is a good comparison site.
Here is a Brit site that looks good to me. Oh pounds area about $2, Ie. 20 = $40 less actually.
It is a good comparison site.
France Youth Hostels
France Youth Hostels
I have not used this site but Rolf Potts, the fellow who will be at the Paris Academy where we will be spending July, recommends it.
Potts is well know--from Kansas if you can believe it.
Don't take any of this stuff too seriously. If a place is not listed it will have rooms--believe me--and they will be cheaper than listed here. You ask--the tourist offices in the train stations are great.
Just for kicks I looked at 3 ducks, sound interesting.
I have not used this site but Rolf Potts, the fellow who will be at the Paris Academy where we will be spending July, recommends it.
Potts is well know--from Kansas if you can believe it.
Don't take any of this stuff too seriously. If a place is not listed it will have rooms--believe me--and they will be cheaper than listed here. You ask--the tourist offices in the train stations are great.
Just for kicks I looked at 3 ducks, sound interesting.
Paris- Normandy
Yeah Normandy is a good side trip-good train connections. The Whole Normandy thing is excellent. Take a guided tour from a local place. We stayed and in a funky hotel in Bayeux where the BoyouTapestry is but there are lots of places you could stop like Caen or... wherever looks interesting. I would say Chartre Chathedral if you want coutry and one of the most incredible places in the world--nice comparsion to Notre Dame in Paris.
We stayed in the Latin Quarter in Paris--it is central- We stayed at funky little hotel called the Hotel Sorbonne. Cheap cool. There are hostels there too.
The hotels france website was a good link they list them all. The hostel.france is great even if you don't make reservations, at least you know where they are and what they cost. They list hotels too good comparsion for other sites. It is a good link to have and you can go into any internet cafe and go to this site and find you links. Internet cafes are easy to find and good places to make find out what goin./.
We stayed in the Latin Quarter in Paris--it is central- We stayed at funky little hotel called the Hotel Sorbonne. Cheap cool. There are hostels there too.
The hotels france website was a good link they list them all. The hostel.france is great even if you don't make reservations, at least you know where they are and what they cost. They list hotels too good comparsion for other sites. It is a good link to have and you can go into any internet cafe and go to this site and find you links. Internet cafes are easy to find and good places to make find out what goin./.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Auntie Carol Speaks
Alan added his comments to your post. He is so wierd. He probably is not done but it is my time at the keyboard.
I am so excited for you. You will have the best time.
Some suggestions:
Simplify your make-up routine. Make-up is so heavy and you can always buy stuff there. Or get some small bottles specifically for travel. Get one of those care free hair styles. Shampoo and go. Don't take gels, hair dryers, spray etc. Too heavy and bulky.
Get lightweight bras and underpants, those no cotten, spandex types. I got mine at Target etc. 2-3 panties and 2 bras. Rinse out, wring in a towel, and they are dry by morning easy. (We found a bungee cord/clothes line at the dollar store with attached clothes pins that worked very well.) Also, take a supply of light day pads so the wash out is easy. Also, may not have toilet paper etc. and these keep you fresh etc etc. I sound like a TV add.
Don't take a house coat. Too bulky and you just don't use them that much. If you need one, wear one of Mike's shirts. Shop hard for lightweight summer jeans. And then sew velcro strips on the edge of a front pocket and a back pocket for security.
I pack in heavy duty Ziplock bags. Squeeze all the air out for a very snug fit. This also helps keep your stuff organized. Take 3-4 extra bags.
Use your purse as a daypack. Daypacks encourage taking too much stuff, and your shoulder gets sore. Get a jacket that will also do as a raincoat. And double check that you can get it in your purse for when you don't need it. Don't take a cutsy little purse with a stringy strap. Wide straps are more comfortable, and harder for someone to cut and run. You can find purses in travel catalogs with metal reinforcements in bag straps etc. if you want to go that far.
Above all, look confident and in control. Be awake and don't be victimized. Study the guidebooks and maps the night before so you can mostly stride right along and avoid tight spots.
More later. I'm so happy for you. This is the greatest!!!
Love, Auntie
I am so excited for you. You will have the best time.
Some suggestions:
Simplify your make-up routine. Make-up is so heavy and you can always buy stuff there. Or get some small bottles specifically for travel. Get one of those care free hair styles. Shampoo and go. Don't take gels, hair dryers, spray etc. Too heavy and bulky.
Get lightweight bras and underpants, those no cotten, spandex types. I got mine at Target etc. 2-3 panties and 2 bras. Rinse out, wring in a towel, and they are dry by morning easy. (We found a bungee cord/clothes line at the dollar store with attached clothes pins that worked very well.) Also, take a supply of light day pads so the wash out is easy. Also, may not have toilet paper etc. and these keep you fresh etc etc. I sound like a TV add.
Don't take a house coat. Too bulky and you just don't use them that much. If you need one, wear one of Mike's shirts. Shop hard for lightweight summer jeans. And then sew velcro strips on the edge of a front pocket and a back pocket for security.
I pack in heavy duty Ziplock bags. Squeeze all the air out for a very snug fit. This also helps keep your stuff organized. Take 3-4 extra bags.
Use your purse as a daypack. Daypacks encourage taking too much stuff, and your shoulder gets sore. Get a jacket that will also do as a raincoat. And double check that you can get it in your purse for when you don't need it. Don't take a cutsy little purse with a stringy strap. Wide straps are more comfortable, and harder for someone to cut and run. You can find purses in travel catalogs with metal reinforcements in bag straps etc. if you want to go that far.
Above all, look confident and in control. Be awake and don't be victimized. Study the guidebooks and maps the night before so you can mostly stride right along and avoid tight spots.
More later. I'm so happy for you. This is the greatest!!!
Love, Auntie
Monday, May 02, 2005
Where to start
Packing tips:
Very light. Tolietries (a zip lock bag for these). Jeans or kahkis. Couple tops 1 short sleeve 1 long. Undies you can wash and dry easily. When you get it packed it should take half of a small backpack (I mean it.) Remember the people you see today will be memories tomorrow so you don't need to change clothes to please them.
Go to the dollar store and get a portable wash line: a bungee cord with built in clips -- makes the above a snap (yeah I know, weak pun).
Mike: go to the second had store and buy a sport coat. Some darker color would be best. They are way better than a vest because it has better pockets. Coupled with a light weight nylon jacket(nj) it keeps you warm, nj inside, almost dry, nj outside, and you look presentable for customs checks, border crossings, operas and nights out. Plus all those pockets make carrying all the little things that you want to take out of your belly bag easy. Since you didn't pay much for it you can chuck it in the garbage if it outlives its usefulness but I will guarantee you that won't happen.
Security and papers:
Take all your papers, passports, credit cards, etc. Scan them and roll them up in a pdf file and mail to your stay at home standing in case you need them. Sometimes your yahoo mail is a good place to store a limited amount of stuff. I probably wouldn't put the pdf there though.
Planning your trip
You might go to site like Rick Steeves and piece together a rough itinerary. Don't pay to much attention to it, just get your head in the travel mode with it and you may pick up some pointers.
Lonely Planet
Their chat lines has answers to most any question. Good hints on lodging but mostly this time of year you can wing it and talk to other backpackers. You might book a place online in Paris but otherwise don't worry. The tourist help is always useful if you need them.
Check out Rolf Potts' book Vagabonding, it's in the bookstores. He is talking longer trips but the advice is good anyway. He has a blog.
BootsnAll is another good source
More later after I see your first post. BA.
Very light. Tolietries (a zip lock bag for these). Jeans or kahkis. Couple tops 1 short sleeve 1 long. Undies you can wash and dry easily. When you get it packed it should take half of a small backpack (I mean it.) Remember the people you see today will be memories tomorrow so you don't need to change clothes to please them.
Go to the dollar store and get a portable wash line: a bungee cord with built in clips -- makes the above a snap (yeah I know, weak pun).
Mike: go to the second had store and buy a sport coat. Some darker color would be best. They are way better than a vest because it has better pockets. Coupled with a light weight nylon jacket(nj) it keeps you warm, nj inside, almost dry, nj outside, and you look presentable for customs checks, border crossings, operas and nights out. Plus all those pockets make carrying all the little things that you want to take out of your belly bag easy. Since you didn't pay much for it you can chuck it in the garbage if it outlives its usefulness but I will guarantee you that won't happen.
Security and papers:
Take all your papers, passports, credit cards, etc. Scan them and roll them up in a pdf file and mail to your stay at home standing in case you need them. Sometimes your yahoo mail is a good place to store a limited amount of stuff. I probably wouldn't put the pdf there though.
Planning your trip
You might go to site like Rick Steeves and piece together a rough itinerary. Don't pay to much attention to it, just get your head in the travel mode with it and you may pick up some pointers.
Lonely Planet
Their chat lines has answers to most any question. Good hints on lodging but mostly this time of year you can wing it and talk to other backpackers. You might book a place online in Paris but otherwise don't worry. The tourist help is always useful if you need them.
Check out Rolf Potts' book Vagabonding, it's in the bookstores. He is talking longer trips but the advice is good anyway. He has a blog.
BootsnAll is another good source
More later after I see your first post. BA.
Carol says hi
Thanks for the invite, Glen.
