I’m posting this long after our trip was over, but backdating it to Dec 31st so it fits in the timeline of the whole thing.
So, what are some useful lessons from our trip?
Despite our griping about the cold (30 deg F), it turns out that we were actually lucky with the weather. We had sunny skies every day, and central Europe is capable of far colder weather in the winter. Two weeks after our trip our German family was telling us of 10 degree weather! I can’t imagine how miserable it would be to tramp around a city in that. So that’s one knock against going in the winter. A related caveat is that, even at mid-day, the sun is quite low and doesn’t really clear the rooftops in the city. It’s weird to perpetually have that “it’s morning” feeling because the sun is low, anticpating midday sun, and then you discover that it’s 3 pm and it’s starting to get darker. No real sun. Europe is much farther north than the US, in general, and that makes for a low sun — and very short days in the winter. So, just sayin’, avoid winter. Duh, right?
The RER system (in Paris) is really a bunch of suburban transit lines that happen to have a few convenient stops in the central city. If you take one of these instead of the Metro (regular subway), be very careful: – signage is poor and they will quickly spin you around and you’ll find you’re on the wrong train – ticket kiosks may not work, which is extra evil when you’re trying to make it to the airport for your flight – some express trains (e.g. to airport) may not actually go particularly fast (i.e. brisk walk), thanks! – budget an hour from hotel to airport via RER train
We have got to find a way to invest in cutting the lines at the museums — they were typically 45 minutes and that was in winter! I can’t imagine what they’re like in warm weather when surely tons more people are there.
We really should know a little bit of French for next time. This was just a little “starter” visit; a future trip with more time spent in the city will call for more time invested in preparation.
Quotes from the trip:
Chris to Sharon: “Honey, your gaydar doesn’t work in this country.”
In Renate’s kitchen, fixing ourselves something to eat:
Chris: “Where’s the meat?”
Sharon: “Everywhere.”
After Sharon takes the first shower in a hotel room:
Chris: “How was that?”
Sharon: “It was fine, normal. Well, the new normal.”