France

[lyore]

Yep folks, it's official. I'm going to France. And also to the UK, and possibly to Italy, depending on what we decide to do. At the moment looks like being 20 days in France, primarily based in Paris and Northern France (cause Paris is where the free accommodation is *waves to kasneeze) and then 10 days in England/UK. Only 5 weeks to get everything organised...

This is my first proper overseas trip (NZ does not count), and it's far and away the longest holiday I've ever been on. Which means that I'm very excited, but only slightly less nervous. I'm hoping to get the dates finalised and tickets booked this week.

On that note, anyone out there got any tips/warnings/dos and don'ts/things to do and see? So far, the collective wisdom of my RL friends has informed me that:
a. Europe is full of pickpockets so talented that they steal the clothes off your back and you never even notice,
b. Europe is a very good place to go to pick up guys from Australia (with bonus points if they actually come from your home town), and
c. Starting a conversation on a plane with 'Hi Jack' is a Very Bad Idea.

In other matters, I've got the latest episode of Supernatural but in an unnatural bout of good-sisterlyness, have decided to wait for bob_ette to arrive tomorrow before watching it. This has nothing to do with the fact I have SG-1 and Dr Who to watch tonight. I heard there has been some... interesting fan reactions to this one, so I'm especially curious about it.

Comments

[lotusflower85.livejournal.com]

Yay! You'll love it. (I'm jealous - I only have 2 days in France)

I can't speak from personal experience yet, but i've been told that the French are pretty helpful if you make it clear you're Australian (and not American or British) And even though most of them can speak English, they will pretend they can't unless you try some French first. Apparently they like to see you're making the effort, which makes sense.

I'll probably have some more first-hand advice in a few weeks!

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I've heard that. I have a friend who's done a lot of Contiki tours in europe. According to her, all the Canadians wear backpacks with the Maple leaf on them, and she eventually got curious enough to ask them why. They said it was so everyone knew they weren't American :)

I'll expect a full report in a couple of weeks then :)