Coming soon to a blog near you...

So busy here! These are the topics I hope to write about soon:
1. Gypsies 101: Top 5 creepy Gypsy moments. Wow, I had a bone-chilling doozy this trip. Would love to hear yours.
2. Disneyland Paris, yes we went. 'The just slightly-better-than-the-most-miserable place on earth.'
3. Getting the evil eye in the Cercle de la Fraternite, Claviers, France.

Great Sites to Prep for Paris

www.viamichelin.com

www.zagat.com

www.patriciawells.com

www.chocolateandzucchini.com

www.davidlebovitz.com

www.secretsofparis.com

Trip Preparations: The Packing List

We leave this Friday. My trip preparation work today consisted of diagramming what each of us will be carrying in the way of luggage. I showed my husband and he looked at me incredulously and said, ‘do you think I am type-A?’ I got the hint and asked, ‘why? Do you think this is a type-A thing to do? It’s just that I am a visual person.’ I really am not, but it sounded like the right excuse.

I was very proud of my drawing. There were 4 stick figures: my dad, my mom, Matt and me. My dad had a carry-on sized roller suitcase, my mom a tote bag and a stroller, Matt had a large rolling suitcase and a 3066 cubic inch backpack, and my figure had the same backpack, a healthy back bag across the front (diaper bag) and a stroller. These 2 backpacks worked brilliantly on a trip to Disneyland. http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender_convertible/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15026.

The quandary today is that I decided I need to bring a pack and play, a portable crib. Neither the apartment nor the house we rented has a baby bed. I had high hopes that I would be able to fit everything for myself and the girls in the 2 backpacks and diaper bag, but I am finding this minimal luggage dream elusive. By the way, one of my top 5 favorite websites is: http://www.onebag.com/popups/what2pack.pdf. It will help you bring the least amount of luggage possible.

The Birth of a Blog

Drive-by travel. My friend and I were joking about this new style of travel for us as we toured Park City, Utah, with our 2 colicky 5-month-olds and my 3-year-old. The question became, ‘to unbuckle or not to unbuckle?’ We found ourselves in front of one site after another too tired to take the kids out of the car seats. We opted to roll down the window, take a snapshot and then vowed to send each other copies. I would then gun the car to get the ‘jiggling’ going again before the babies started howling.

I never thought I would start ‘blogging.’ I was stunned to find out that even my 54-year-old aunt blogs, and logs quite a few hours a day doing it. Still, who would want to read what I write? I always thought of a blog as one of those voyeuristic cam sites where people can peek in on your every move, and you are inviting them to do so.

I began a travel writing class and I’ve decided to write a blog for the trip we’re taking to France this month. If I desire to be published as a travel writer, a blog seems like a good start. What better way to start getting it out there?

I read somewhere that you should write for the trash bin. Just write that is. You don’t have to turn out final-draft quality writing on the first go-around. The more you write, the better you get. This is my intent.

I seem to be the person to call for travel advice in my circle of family and friends, and in all contingent circles. I have even been entrusted with planning several trips abroad for friends. I will include practical tips as well as writing and essays about our experiences abroad. I know there will be plenty of subject material with 2 little girls in tow.