Needles & Grooves

Sit, close your eyes and try to mentally walk yourself through the next 24/36 hours. You still might barf but at least you’ll feel like you know what to expect

As the wise Mr. Alan Watts would say

"“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”"

Have fun

Embrace the feeling. Whenever I feel that way it is generally a cross between genuine excitement about something and the fact that the thing means so much too me. Try not to actually barf though

Enjoy!, use a few words of French to locals and 'try" to speak the language, it will get you further and they appreciate it. They do not like ugly Americans. Hope you get to see the Louvre and similiar (get your passes online or a concierge and avoid the lines). Get a rail pass if you can if your moving cities a lot. And see some nice record stores if you have time to browse. Do I miss good crêpes with cider !

You’ll have a great time, enjoy! Embrace the chaos of seeing and doing new stuff, and don’t be frustrated if your French isn’t perfect. And remember, the world is a big place, and this is your first step into it. May your passport pages be full of immigration stamps in 10 years time!

Awesome, I'm so jealous! My partner and I have been thinking about some time in Paris this summer after we go to Ireland for a wedding! (Speaking of, @Joe Mac ! Depending on how you're feeling pandemic-wise, Blood on the Tracks time!?) It's been my top place to see forever.

JCF is right. We tried our best with basic French and I felt welcomed there. We did the Eiffel Tower in a hailstorm, that was memorable!

At the time, the Euro was like twice the US dollar, so I pretended it was the same. And French wine was cheaper than bottled water.

luckily, I'm a French major, and this is technically part of a class so I'm required to speak nothing but French the entire trip

Put on a Les Thugs record and rock that nausea away.



Safe travels!

ps Stay up when you get there if possible and go to sleep at night, this will let you adjust to the time difference and jet leg. Set your watch ahead when you get on the plane.

Where are you staying? Living near Paris I can give you some advices and cool spots to visit. Also, you are coming at a great time, weather is beautiful this week-end and a summer weather is expected next week.

France is so beautiful, you'll have a wonderful time there all will be fine

Journaling can help with nerves and is also a great way to document vacations in exciting places. Pictures are great to have but it’s also cool to remember the things that you were worried or excited about or all the little mishaps and laugh about it later. It’s hard later on to remember what your expectations and impressions were and what things surprised you when it was all fresh and new.