Home Away from Home
It’s summertime which means I’m off to another travel adventure. This summer, I’m in Paris and like many other destinations, I seem to have a ritual that I follow when I arrive to get into the groove of things. Here are some of the things I like to do that help me connect and get acclimated to the new city and culture…
Getting Cash
First thing is first. Gotta have some cash flow. While at the destination airport, as soon as I am done with immigration and passport control, I start looking for an ATM to get cash in the local currency. All you do is insert your US ATM/debit card and enter the desired amount. Just keep in mind the conversion so you have an idea of how much you’re really taking out in US dollars. By far, the ATM is the least expensive way to get the local currency. Money exchange bureaus can get costly with high commission fees and of course almost no one uses travelers cheques these days. Even better, if you have an account with a global bank such as HSBC, you will not incur any charges if using one of their ATM machines available throughout many countries.
Out and about in the neighborhood
When I first arrive to a new city, I like to spend a few moments simply walking around the neighborhood where I am staying. This helps me to get my bearings and learn what shops, pharmacies, landmarks, banks, and other points of interest may be just around the corner.
My Paris Apartment
When traveling, I often prefer to rent an apartment rather than staying in a hotel. For one, at the end of the day, I enjoy coming to what feels like home, as compared to returning to just a room. Another thing is that in an apartment I find conveniences such as a kitchen, dining table, refrigerator, and a living room where I can lounge and enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day. The cost is another attraction in that compared with a hotel, apartment rentals are usually less expensive.
Renting an apartment is a great way to experience a neighborhood rather than simply “seeing” a neighborhood. But to feel like I home, I first like to stock the fridge with essentials such as cheese, wine, fruit, chocolate, and snacks. For that, I visit the local market, wine shop, cheese shop and bakery which allow me to feel like a temporary local.
The Local Markets
Zoé’s stores
Next, I find the local pet store to get Zoé her supply of dog food. While I do travel with some food for her, I find that for travels lasting longer than one week, it is a lot easier to buy her food there rather than carrying pounds of kibble & bits in my suitcase. La Niche is Zoé’s favorite store in Paris, located right in the heart of the Marais district. The staff is friendly and they always have what she needs during her stay in Paris.
After this, I think I’m ready to go out and explore the city. Happy travels
