We had done a dry run for our morning departure and purchased our RER tickets for CDG. Someone jump in here but I don’t think there is a way to purchase tickets at the St Michele RER entrance by Notre Dame. I remember seeing machines for the Navigo but nothing else so I was glad we had them in hand from another station.
I wanted to see how many stairs we would have to navigate with our now full suitcases, scarves weigh less than coffee mugs, if you are thinking about souvenirs. I got those cute cheesy ET key chains 5 for 1 Euro in front of Notre Dame; they are easy to carry too.
We arrived at CDG Monday before 9AM for our 12:15 flight (look up your terminal before heading out) and spent 50 minutes in the AA check in (you check in to the numbered areas based on your flight), before spending 45 minutes in the security line; this was on top of the walking time from the RER. I am sure the check in time varies depending on how many flights are leaving when you are; this is a very busy place don’t underestimate it. We had big flights leaving for both Chicago and New York in front of our Chicago flight so I am glad I listened to DM.
We managed to enjoy the sandwiches we had packed with the last of the butter and brie. My smuggling plan to make a huge butter sandwich and scrape the butter back off at home was foiled by DM threatening to report me to TSA, the wine had worn off.
Our flights from both CDG and O’Hare went smoothly and our trip ended as well as it started. I will always remember this as my FIRST trip to Paris.
My best advice in no particular order:
Be packed a day or two before you leave so you are not frazzled.
Carry and use wet wipes; a tissue pack is handy too.
If you bring a plastic water bottle to refill and you will probably never have to buy something to drink (IMHO the water is great from the tap and the Wallace Fountains and I am picky).
Extra camera batteries may come in handy. In some extreme cases, like DM’s, a bigger memory card may be useful.
Watch for a moment and see how others enter and exit from transportation, the handle on the metro door goes up to open, the buttons work like the handles so push to open. Put your tickets/pass where you are not fumbling and panicking every time you need them.
Don’t stop suddenly to take a picture or read a map, especially while blocking the hand rail or at the top of the stairs.
Wear what ever you will be able to walk and climb stairs comfortably in. After reading travel advice I tried Keen’s, Merrill’s and Privo’s and returned them all, I wore my Nike’s most of the time, carried sandals to slip on if need be.
IMHO if you are prone to blisters an anti-friction stick application or a simple petroleum coating will help, mole skin is wonderful and Compeed gel cushions (I am sure there are similar products) adhered to the tender ball of the foot saved DM. Good wicking socks are as important as good footwear.
Dark colors are practical as are layers and scarves; the French must take classes in the tying of these practical beauties.
I had a money belt and only used it for the travel days and one London day, as they required our passports be with us. I carried only what we would need for the day and a small amount of cash in my front pants pocket. DM might as well have had a neon sign over her head indicating she was a tourist and I did have to remind her not to hang at the metro doors with her purse dangling, we had no problems.
We had: copies of all documents and cards, and had notified the credit and debt card companies, and got the international phone numbers in case of a problem. Write down your hotel/apartment location and carry it with you.
If you buy a telephone card you will first get the instructions in French when you dial the access, hang on a moment for English. Pay phones are easy to find.
Travel insurance was money well spent and obtained through the American Airlines site (through Access America) for much less than AAA and other places offered.
Be prepared for the scams you read about. It was still hard for me to respond the way I needed to when approached by a gypsy, it was strange behavior for me and took a second.
Don’t under estimate how travel and a different environment will impact you; it is a lot to take on.
If you have read comments about Paris being “dirty” make sure you don’t contribute. For the record, I have never seen a city do so much to clean up, there are trash receptacles all around, the green crew was out every morning, including Sunday, sweeping with their plastic brooms and I saw a golf cart size street cleaner going over the sidewalks on the bridges.
Be polite, even your best efforts may be undermined by the difference in language and the stresses of travel. You may just be part of someone’s less than stellar day so it may not be personal and due to the fact that you are_____ (fill in your own concerns) and they are_____. You will be jostled and you will jostle, you will have people walk in to your pictures and you will walk into theirs, it is not because they are _____ fill in your own stereotypes, if you have them.
If you are reading TA you are further along than the woman I witnessed screaming loudly “how the hell do I do this” as she tried to put her ticket into the slot at the metro or the person at the tourism desk at CDG who arrived having no idea where the hotel was or how to get there. A little research goes a long way.
You are in Paris and whatever your budget you are probably among the very fortunate to be traveling during these times so enjoy, be yourself, your best self.
Stop for a moment to enjoy street performers, offer to take a photo of the lovers young and old so they can be together in Paris. Plan for the unexpected, let the energy of this city intoxicate you.
With all my recent stair climbing practice, I will now be able to get down from my soap box.
Thanks again for letting share my impressions of Paris.
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I was dreading this day almost as much as you were probably dreading having to leave Paris!
I enjoyed each of your posts a great deal! A great series of interesting and funny stories.
Well Done and Thank you!
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I have followed your trip reports from day 1 and have enjoyed reading every line!! You have made me want to see more of Paris than just our day trip from London in November. Also, reminded me that, YES, we are very lucky to be able to travel to these beautiful places with just living in the moment!
gmjj5
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Your reports were an absolute joy to read...thanks for sharing!
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Many thanks for your wonderful trip report, lovely!!
Really enojoyed it. Sooo looking forward to returning in November, your report has many helpful tips (as well as all the humour!!)
Hope you return soon!
Thank you!!
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I too did not want your trip(reports) to end. They have been among the most enjoyable,informative,amusing and practical I have read. I don%26#39;t know what you do for a living-great organizational and people skills are apparent-but%26quot;author%26quot; should be considered. And I hope your DM realizes what a treasure she has in you.
Merci for the report !!
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Bravo! I%26#39;ll give you a cyber standing ovation for your always entertaining reports.
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I%26#39;ll join in the cyberovation - and I%26#39;ll happily donate to your travel fund to let you do it all again and write it all again!
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Along with everyone else, I have enjoyed your trip reports. You have made me want to hang out with you and your mom! Have you ever thought of starting a blog?
%26quot;You are in Paris and whatever your budget you are probably among the very fortunate to be traveling during these times so enjoy, be yourself, your best self.%26quot; Out of all of the great descriptive sentences that you have written to help us follow along with you and your mom in Paris, I think this one might be the most important to remember.
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I hope you are going back soon because I just don%26#39;t want to stop reading your posts. Thank you so much for all of your detailed observations and eapecially, sharing your sense of humor and outlook on life. I am sad to see your posts end but hope I remember all you%26#39;ve written when I am there in two weeks. Merci!
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Absolutely fabulous report! you are obviously a very nice person and we are privileged to have known you.
Re cameras: I always take the charger that came with my camera with me (it works fine as is in Japan but for France, the UK etc. you need a plug adaptor). I noticed very quickly that if you leave the camera on auto shut-off (meaning that it goes to sleep if you don%26#39;t take photos for a while but wake up when you push-lightly-the shutter button) the battery is drained in a day or less! however if you actually shut the camera off after taking a couple of photos of one subject then turn it on, even one minute later, the battery last for days. I do take lots of photos too and can store about a 1000 on a 4 GB card. In Canada even 8 GB cards are now quite cheap and this must also be the case in the US..
I check photos in the evening, or even right after taken them if I tried an unusual angle or..., and delete whatever photos appear so-so.
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