11.23.19

I had occasion to take a side trip to Paris, so for a few days I got a chance to return for only the second time. But being there in August is a lot different than November, as I woke to 33⁰F temp (1/2⁰C) and that is a number I have not experienced for a very long time. I wish to keep it that way. Anyway, what can you “do” in Paris in one day? I set to find out.

The Notre Dame Cathedral had a fire in April 2019 and I was curious to see the damage as well as the renovation. I was able to walk entirely around it and from the front it looks intact, but the rear and sides are pretty severe. Scaffolding everywhere, workers hanging by wires, and it’s an amazing undertaking to try to piece together a building that was built starting in 1163. The technology, tools, equipment and material are all so different and I’m glad that some people know what to do. The President of France optimistically said it would be done in five years, but most scoff at that and think it will be longer. The world is supportive of the efforts and have contributed over $1B in pledges towards the work.

I decided to skip the Louvre since I’m not a museum guy, unless it’s really old architectural artifacts, but most paintings and such don’t engage me, and I knew it would take more time that I could commit to it. Yea, I know the Mona Lisa is there, but she’ll have to live without me.

I had never been to the Palace of Versailles, so I took that 50-minute train ride. The Palace IS impressive and if you want to know where “bling” started, look no further. It is shiny gold everywhere (actually a replication since the original golden gates were destroyed in the French Revolution), though I did not take the inside tour. But the grounds, ie the “Garden of Versailles” is impressive and extends as far as I could see! It is almost 2000 acres and one of the largest gardens in the world, and just the LAND is worth about $40B and the Palace another $10B.

Since I was in France I had to rethink what language I should be speaking since I heard so many this year. How people can think in more than one language blows my mind because for me it’s an effort. I know JUST ENOUGH Spanish to say “hello, goodbye; yes, no, please and thank you.” I can pull it off in Italian, too, since I’ve been there twice this year. And French has some similar words, but others, not so much. I found myself having to concentrate on which language I was thinking in before I blurted it out. Again, kudos to you that can pull that off.

As far as flexibility, that came to mind as I reserved a room (actually just a bed) at a hostel, the first time for that in many years. The Generator Hostel Is well known in Europe and it is not just for “youths.” This location has more beds than any hotel in Paris, almost 1000 of them, and most are filled by those under age 25. But there were Boomers here, plus some in suits and there for business, and a number of mother/ daughters traveling duos. Staying in a room with five others requires some degree of patience and adjusting, but my fellow roommates were very cool and hailed from Egypt, Australia, Canada and Japan. At only 35€ per night it was also affordable.

There are many advantages of being a Traveler rather than a Tourist, since I did not have to cram a day’s worth of visiting into one. Knowing I can come back and visit again takes off some of the pressure. Also, for the first time I really felt comfortable using the Metro! The Paris Metro is very efficient and very practical and easy to understand- relatively speaking, and I will do a blog on how to negotiate public transportation to those that are new to it or feel overwhelmed.

Flexibility Part II: In about 10 days we leave Sicily for Tunisia followed by Greece, staying at two different locations. I’ll share more later. But on New Year’s Eve night we will be flying to Singapore, which will be a new experience for both of us since it’s so different than anywhere we have ever been. We were able to catch a direct nonstop flight because we were flexible enough to fly that night. The plan is 60 days in SE Asia, with most of our time in Thailand. Traveling as we do I think it’s important to take advantage of all opportunities, be open to new experiences and to remain flexible.

BTW, if you missed my webinar on “Five Ways to Manifest your Travel Dreams” I have an audio version only and a video version and can share if you want to listen/ watch now.

Stay tuned!