After having too much fun in Istanbul I’ve been a bit disappointed by Greece. Transportation is difficult, food is mediocre, and people don’t seem as friendly. I have a hunch that maybe, since it’s mid-August, everybody is on vacation, because in Europe everybody goes on vacation in August, and maybe this is why the streets and plazas seem so barren. Read on though, for a more positive spin on things. [Read more…] about Greece – and how I’ll do it better next time
Travel
Five days in Istanbul
This was one of the scariest airports I’ve been in. Thank gawd I happened to have exactly 20 euros in my wallet, because this is exactly what the visa cost, even though they don’t do euros in Turkey. I had to purchase the visa from a vending machine, which was a first. [Read more…] about Five days in Istanbul
Five days in Lebanon
Affordable yoga plus free French lessons
I found this great yoga spot last weekend – right smack in between where I sleep every night and where I work 5 days a week. The first class was hilarious – I had no clue what she was saying.
So I learned some basic vocabulary: [Read more…] about Affordable yoga plus free French lessons
Paris Day One
Day one was nuts. it started with the Saint-Ouen flea market where I bought a pair of chaussures (shoes) that I now need to buy thick socks in order to wear; a silly thing, since I have SO many socks back home. the African man selling me the shoes escorted me to the ATM up the street because I did not yet have Euros in my possession and he was eager to give me a “good deal” on his first sale of the day. sketchy right? after that I went to get a sim card so I don’t have to rely on finding wifi for everything. this was a terrible experience and I won’t go into detail because my mother is likely reading this and I don’t want to scare her. however, the day got better when I found a 90-minute power yoga class, in French of course.
Packing: in Hindsight
the goal was to pack light. minimalistic.
but it’s the third time I’ve gone traveling with the intention of staying in one place for some indefinite duration – and I always over-pack for the backpacking portion – and under-pack for the staying in one spot.
so as a backpacker the first two weeks of the journey, here’s how I could have done better:
MORE SOCKS (I brought one silly pair – small running pair – assuming LONDON, like Florida, would be warm in May);
more yoga-type-harem pants (I ended up wearing the same 2 pairs, due to the hassle of rummaging through my shit, one being jeans — but more quick-to-dry pairs were desirable);
just one pair of jeans will suffice if the above is achieved (I had packed 2 – these take up space and stay damp longer);
three shirts which can serve multiple purposes (again, the hassle of rummaging through my shit and waking up other backpakers in the dorm when I want to sneak out on my own at 6am without someone inviting themself – caused me to alternate through the same 3 or so simple tees/tanks) & plus when you shower in one, therefore it’s wet, you want another (two?) to choose from;
less shower shit – ONE bar of soap is enough for everything and can be replaced at any farmers market (unless you’re into toxic chemicals then a cheap bar at the cheap grocery chain);
underwear x 2 (same thing – wash each day in the sink/shower – alternate each day – hang on bed with S-hook – they dry quick);
speaking of S-hooks: these come in SUPER handy for hanging bags or drying clothes or general organizing. that’s something I did right;
BOOTS! I was torn at the last minute and ended up leaving these behind due to space constraints 🙁
a GOOD coffee mug (if you’re into coffee). good idea for a few reasons: I hate wasting disposable cups and if you get one that closes properly you can use it for all your liquids and throw it in and out of your bag all day!
This is based on my experience, the backpacking portion. Stay tuned for the living-in-Paris segment. I’m already thinking I’ll ship a box of shit home a day before I leave my appartement.