France: some practical notes for my future self
We’re travelling with seven people in France. My sister-in-law just left this morning to go back to her people. We forge on to Italy, flying out today around lunch time.
Some thoughts. France is a big country, European continent-wise. We knew that our two weeks here would be a snapshot and not representative of France as a whole. My guess is that (like Canadians), most French people also have never been to most places in France.
To us, France seems to get more personal, more relaxed, more Spanish or Italian of Greek, or something - Mediterranean? That said, we’ve been overwhelmed by the helpfulness, politeness and congeniality of our hosts and others that have crossed our paths, given directions, share the love of their home. Lovely.
So, here’s how we travel day to day. We each have a carry on sized backpack and some sort of small handbag or daypack. We’ve got one large shared suitcase. In it goes...travel books, vitamins, shampoo, extra towels. Things we are taking home.
In this suitcase, I have two “bathroom bags” - each with toothpaste, shampoo, floss, soap. When we arrive at a place, I put one bag in each bathroom. If there isn’t two bathrooms, I put one by the kitchen sink.
When we leave a place, it’s a handy catch all for whatever people have left behind in their bathroom. It’s the last thing in the suitcase, and the first thing out when we arrive. The next thing that sits on top for general use is this handy charger/adaptor that I bought before we left.
I’m sharing it here because I’ve been really impressed with it. Other than a buzzing sound it makes when its on, it has had three or four devices charging whenever we stop somewhere. It might be overkill for two people, but for us, it’s been perfect.
BESTEK ADAPTOR/CHARGER
Also, the dirty laundry bag goes in, for easy access for surprise laundromats nearby. I do laundry as often as convenient, but no more than 4-5 days between.
While much of the time, we travel on secondary highways, because they’re prettier, France seems to do a remarkable job of beauty even on the toll highways. Tolls are pricey, but the big advantage is that at least 30 minutes there are roadside centers just off the highway that cater to tour buses and vans full of people. They have a convenience store, restaurant, good public washrooms (still, take your own toilet paper...), shower rooms, usually a seating area outside and inside. They’re commercial and slick, they feel like some separate entity of France, like an alternate universe - but they serve the purpose well.
All in all, toll highways are good value: convenience vs. character, it’s worth finding the balance...
On the bottom of the signs indicating these facilities, if you do want to turn off to the cutedom of France, there will usually be indicators of how far the town or towns are off the highway (Dear Canada, please take note: this is a very good idea). How many times have you turned off the highway to get to food/toilets and drove for 20 minutes before the town emerged?
And so. This morning we meet up with our tour group and Father David to begin our Eucharistic Miracle tour. I’m drinking espresso in a hotel restaurant while I await my family getting ready for the day. It’s better just to clear out of the room and write sometimes....
Our kids have been incredible travelers to this point...we’ve both provided them with an incredible experience AND put them through a lot so far. But they continue to rise to the occasion, and I’m grateful for their maturity and stamina.
Albert’s driving tour de
Some thoughts. France is a big country, European continent-wise. We knew that our two weeks here would be a snapshot and not representative of France as a whole. My guess is that (like Canadians), most French people also have never been to most places in France.
To us, France seems to get more personal, more relaxed, more Spanish or Italian of Greek, or something - Mediterranean? That said, we’ve been overwhelmed by the helpfulness, politeness and congeniality of our hosts and others that have crossed our paths, given directions, share the love of their home. Lovely.
So, here’s how we travel day to day. We each have a carry on sized backpack and some sort of small handbag or daypack. We’ve got one large shared suitcase. In it goes...travel books, vitamins, shampoo, extra towels. Things we are taking home.
In this suitcase, I have two “bathroom bags” - each with toothpaste, shampoo, floss, soap. When we arrive at a place, I put one bag in each bathroom. If there isn’t two bathrooms, I put one by the kitchen sink.
When we leave a place, it’s a handy catch all for whatever people have left behind in their bathroom. It’s the last thing in the suitcase, and the first thing out when we arrive. The next thing that sits on top for general use is this handy charger/adaptor that I bought before we left.
I’m sharing it here because I’ve been really impressed with it. Other than a buzzing sound it makes when its on, it has had three or four devices charging whenever we stop somewhere. It might be overkill for two people, but for us, it’s been perfect.
BESTEK ADAPTOR/CHARGER
Also, the dirty laundry bag goes in, for easy access for surprise laundromats nearby. I do laundry as often as convenient, but no more than 4-5 days between.
While much of the time, we travel on secondary highways, because they’re prettier, France seems to do a remarkable job of beauty even on the toll highways. Tolls are pricey, but the big advantage is that at least 30 minutes there are roadside centers just off the highway that cater to tour buses and vans full of people. They have a convenience store, restaurant, good public washrooms (still, take your own toilet paper...), shower rooms, usually a seating area outside and inside. They’re commercial and slick, they feel like some separate entity of France, like an alternate universe - but they serve the purpose well.
All in all, toll highways are good value: convenience vs. character, it’s worth finding the balance...
On the bottom of the signs indicating these facilities, if you do want to turn off to the cutedom of France, there will usually be indicators of how far the town or towns are off the highway (Dear Canada, please take note: this is a very good idea). How many times have you turned off the highway to get to food/toilets and drove for 20 minutes before the town emerged?
And so. This morning we meet up with our tour group and Father David to begin our Eucharistic Miracle tour. I’m drinking espresso in a hotel restaurant while I await my family getting ready for the day. It’s better just to clear out of the room and write sometimes....
Our kids have been incredible travelers to this point...we’ve both provided them with an incredible experience AND put them through a lot so far. But they continue to rise to the occasion, and I’m grateful for their maturity and stamina.
Albert’s driving tour de
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