New Year New YOU!
'How to be a World Traveller in Paris'
(P.S Remember to Fly)
In general, becoming a world traveller requires, feeling uncomfortable, being courageous, remaining open to serendipitous spontaneity and having faith. It requires human virtues of patience, openness and exercising knowledge of the social, cultural customs.
1. Dive fearlessly into local cuisine not only the familiar comforts of croissants, crepes and crispy baguettes. Expanding your palette, try the slimy escargot, the dry duck pate, the sliver liver, the cold cured meats that look alive on le assiette. Why travel to Paris just to eat what you know? Best authentic French fare that is not for the faint-hearten or weak-stomached is: Bistro Paul Bert.
2. Real life sits at the ‘dingy’ tabac: Don’t only stick to hyped shiny cafes; they’re pretty but safe and limiting. Great if you want to travel anonymous, go unnoticed (just another head in the crowd), people watch (though we do love that sometimes). But why would you do that if authentic travel is what you seek? Besides glamorous is not all what Paris is about. With a little courageous discomfort, try a local less-than pretty dark tabac with ordinary locals. The most extraordinary people and experiences come from the most ordinary ‘real’ places.
3. Live with the locals: Don’t immediately disconnect from the people by staying in a cold hotel when you can connect and lodge with them in their own homes. Petite Paris offers travellers over unique 100 B&Bs. Real homes of real Parisians who want to meet guests, welcome and look after them and offer friendship and advice about the city. P.S The outer arrondissements are where most residents live (not in the touristy centre) and where authentic quaint corners of old-world Paris still exist. Plus prices are traveller prices not tourist prices.
4. Don’t be entertained; be informed: Parisians love to learn, love knowledge and to discuss, debate and deliberate. Politics, culture, history, are hot topics. Learn something about Paris’ history while in Paris. Visit the Carnavalet Museum (Museum of history of Paris). Gain some knowledge about the city and arm yourself with the tools to engage with Parisians with impressive thought.
5. Watch how it’s done: Market life is an important part of Parisian life. Watch how Parisians do it, pay attention to the process of the transaction, then imitate. Interact and be part of the scene. If something is misunderstood have faith, smile and allow your self to be guided. Petite Paris’ new eGuide book ‘Markets of Paris’ has a list of local and real Paris markets. HERE
6. Around the table: If given the opportunity to attend a Parisian dinner party, GO! Like all dining experiences, they offer a wonderful insight into the local culture, etiquette, values, customs and dynamics. Though a whole new set of rules open up for such an occasion. Having basic awareness of customs and ‘social rules’ are important here.
7. Be human: In travels there are always situations where patience and understanding must be exercised. It’s the natural order that if you show compassion, understanding and open mindedness, you will receive it. It does no one any good, or service, to throw a tantrum if a train is late, cancelled or tickets mixed up etc. Enjoy the ride!
8. Make time for no time: Allow for serendipitous moments. Set aside a day or chunk of time to loose time ... and yourself. Be open to meeting people and places. A spirit of adventure, curiosity and flexibility of time will inevitably lead you to authentic travel experiences. The City if yours!
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