Millie’s Travel Tips for Paris…

We have walked 15,000 steps just today. Well… Mummy walked that many. I rode out most of the day in my comfy carrier. It was a GORGEOUS DAY, and by that I mean slightly cool and overcast, looking like it would rain most of the day which made for a GREAT DAY to get outside and explore and not suffer from HEATSTROKE!!!! We are located near the Eiffel Tower which makes for a great landmark in finding our way BACK to the apartment if we should get turned around. If YOU should come to Paris let me point out one thing. The Eiffel Tower is HUGE. When you are out walking and see it in the distance and think that you can WALK TO IT. DON’T. Take the metro!!! It looks close, but is actually FAR, FAR AWAY… like as far away as SWITZERLAND!!!! You will DIE before you make it there on foot. Just sayin’.  Here are a few travel tips for you in order of importance:

1. The metro map is your FRIEND. Your BEST FRIEND! (See picture above) Buy a laminated metro map from Amazon. A paper map will tear in the creases at the precise spot where you need to go. DO NOT GET A PAPER MAP!

2.  You will get lost down in the metro. Don’t get on a train heading in a direction that you KNOW is probably NOT RIGHT!!! Be SURE you are on the right one. Check the wall map… they are EVERYWHERE in the metro. Look at the DESTINATION. Look where YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. Look at your personal laminated metro map (see picture above). Does the place you want to go fall in-between those two spots? If not… I beg you NOT TO GET ON THAT TRAIN. Having to get off several stops down and turn around to start all over is just NO. FUN. AT. ALL.

3.  Don’t be afraid to stop people once you are down inside the metro and ask for instructions.  IT IS VERY CONFUSING DOWN THERE.

4.  FIRST, ask the person if they speak English… if they say NO, don’t let that stop you! Take out your laminated metro map (see picture above) and POINT to the spot you want to go. If they shake their head like they don’t understand you… start crying. If you can’t REALLY cry, then “fake cry.”

5.   FRENCH PEOPLE ARE NICE!!!! Whoever is writing these tourist books saying that they are mean is lying to you or they are just hard to get along with themselves. We have met the most helpful people in Paris. One man actually walked us to our metro stop in a very confusing flipped around location… MON DIEU, I hope we don’t have to go back there for anything!!! He barely spoke English and laughed at Mummy’s French but he got her on the right train. What a love he was!!! And Mummy didn’t have to “fake cry” or ANYTHING… she just used her Southern accent which actually gets her a LOT of stuff! It even works in other COUNTRIES!!! Go figure.

6. Burn your travel books that are trashing the French people… just wing it once you get here. Smile at people, be kind, and they will be kind to you. (We have rude people in the USA TOO, ya know ?)

7.  Every time you enter a business say “Bonjour” (Hello) … they will say it to you too! If they do something nice, say “Merci” (Thank-you)… and when you leave a business, say “Au revoir” (Good-bye)… they will also say good-bye to you. The french are very welcoming but you need to respond as well. The USA rushes too much, the french take time to enjoy life, their friends and their family… don’t rush things when you are here. You will NEVER SEE ALL OF PARIS on your vacation!!! Choose a few all-important things to see and then just savor the neighborhood where you are staying. Dine at the local cafés and have long lunches and dinners… just relax and soak in the atmosphere. Don’t forget to take an evening stroll around your block.

BISOU BISOU ??

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J’aime Paris! ❤????❤