With about forty days left before I hit the skies for France, the pace of preparation is picking up. And so are the travel jitters.
It’s no mystery that I’m excited for this research trip. Hiding my enthusiasm isn’t a thing. Nor is it something I attempt to muster the capacity to achieve. I let my enthusiasm fly!
But, last week I opened up on social media about bits and pieces of this trip that worry me. I shared my fears about of getting mugged on the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord; leaving luggage at the hotel before check-in; and passport security.
Stocking up on karma to avoid catastrophe
Friends offered incredible wisdom and plenty of high-fiving for travelling on my own. The best advice I received: “Everyone is going to know you’re not French. Just don’t look foolish.”
I would give this advice to anyone visiting Vancouver.
I can’t tell you how often I see out-of-towners with unzipped backpacks, unattended luggage, and wallets and iPhones hanging out of pockets while on the Skytrain or waiting for the bus. It’s like saying, “Here, have my $700 cash and three credit cards. I really wanted to visit the consulate anyway. My old passport photo sucked and I wanted to pay $250 to rush a new one with the money you just stole from me.”
I stop said tourists and let them know before something truly shitty happens to them. I tell myself it’s my wee investment in maintaining the “Canadians are the nicest people” reputation. Really, though, it’s a selfish act of karma stocking.
Travel dreams are the worst
I had the “Forgot my passport and missed my flight” dream last night.
Every time I’m getting ready to travel, I have this same dream. It takes place in the same dream-dimension airport, and I always end up in some version of a country I can’t identify in the desert near the ocean.
It’s like a high school exam dream. But, with this one, five people I hardly know decide to come to France with me. That’s the worst part for this introvert! 😉
New discoveries fend off travel jitters. Maybe.
I’ve finally discovered les bouquinistes de Paris.
This will deeply impact my Paris itinerary (and budget). That must be why my dear friends who know it, chose not to share it’s existence! Now, I fear and delight that all I’ll see of the City of Lights is the left bank of the Seine from Pont Marie to Quai Voltaire.
In all seriousness, that won’t be true. I’ll need to trace the path of characters in Woman On The Wall.
I’ll also need to locate the closest La Poste. There will be a need to mail things!