Wishing you a Covid Free Holiday!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! And most important please continue to be vigilant and stay safe and healthy as best you can. 2020….the year we will never forget.

This pretty much sums it up wouldn’t you say?

I love lists so I made two. All the things I did less or zero of in 2020, and then all the things I did more of. Surprisingly the list of things I did more of was longer. And here they are:

Less or Zero List -

• Travel - cancelled 3 big fun trips. It’s definitely more fun to plan trips than to cancel them😣

• In person time with family and friends

• Happy hours

• In person church

• Working out at Orange Theory

• Attending theater, ballet, movies…..basically ANYTHING!

• Restaurants

• Shopping

More List-

• Sleep - usually a solid 8 hours a night

• Reading - my goal was 40 books and I’m at 45 and the month is young

• Cooking - think large pots of soup NOT sourdough starter😂

• Netflix - SO MUCH NETFLIX

• Zoom - before March who ever heard of it?

• Online church and Bible study

• Running and walking - trained and ran a half marathon in October in honor of RBG

• Talking on the phone - not texting…talking. Thanks to everyone that called to check on me💕

• Online classes, lectures, virtual art and architectural tours etc. I learned things!

• New friends - met so many wonderful people through these online activities that I now call friends.
  

Yes 2020 has not been what any of us planned. And it’s been very hard and terrible for so many people. It’s not over yet unfortunately but we do have some light at the end of the tunnel with the great news of vaccines coming. I never lose sight of how fortunate I am, and I have tried to do my best to help where and when I can. My kids remind me frequently that the best thing I can do is stay healthy since I am in the “at risk” group. When did that happen??

A few highlights of my year that do not include the pandemic are the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl in February for starters. The celebration parade went right by my building and our view could not have been more perfect and warm since it was a really cold day. Definitely didn’t stop the fans from camping out to get a good spot.

Top left is Patrick Mahomes on the back of the bus! Hosted a party for good friends that was a blast and Keeley came down for the game and parade making the whole thing even more special.

I left for a few weeks in Arizona the day after the parade and had a great time. Amazing weather, great hiking, excellent food and time with family and friends.

I finally made it to the Grand Canyon, conquered Camelback Mountain and Fat Man’s Pass at South Mountain Park.

In August I joined Tom and Anna and the Spence’s at their lovely beach home in South Carolina. It was heaven. We stayed very safe cooking all our meals and getting take out, but so wonderful to be able to sit and walk on the beach and pretend Covid didn’t exist for at least awhile.

My daily morning walk. Just me and the beach.

Then very recently I joined Tom and Anna for Thanksgiving on Sugar Mountain in North Carolina. Again super safe adventure with us cooking all our meals and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Such a beautiful area.

Not as scary as it looks but so fun!

A quick update on the kids. Tom and Anna left Manhattan in early March when Covid was taking off in NYC and thanks to the Spence’s stayed in South Carolina at the beach house. Originally they thought it would be just a few weeks but needless to say they stayed for months. Luckily they could work from anywhere. In June they decided not to go back to New York and made arrangements to pack up their stuff and put it in storage until they decided what their permanent residence would be. They are now in a beautiful home on Sugar Mountain and will eventually relocate to Chicago when Covid improves and both work out of Chicago offices.

From the city life of Manhattan to the Blue Ridge Mountains! These two are resilient!

Keeley and Matt are staying strong and healthy in Chicago. So proud of how they have been so responsible in taking the virus seriously and following all the guidelines. I got to see Keeley twice this year. She came down for the Super Bowl as I mentioned and then again for a week in Sept to keep me company. She also can work from anywhere so it was wonderful to have her here. She is a much better cook than I so that was a bonus! It’s been a year since I saw Matt so this is a picture of the two of them post Chicago Marathon that Keeley ran in 2019 - but they look the same😊

All 5 of us were at the Marathon and she did great! So proud!

My big news is that I am moving back to Chicago this spring! I’m excited about it but it’s also going to be hard to leave Kansas City. When we moved here in 1992 the plan was to move back in 2 years so I’m 27 years late, and in those years it has become a place I love. I have made terrific friends, raised the kids here, spent countless hours volunteering at places that matter to me and found a church I absolutely love. But with both kids being in Chicago in my heart I know it’s what I really want. Covid has been bad, but for me and many of you I think it has clarified what’s most important - so Chicago consider yourself warned! Probably late spring since I’m not crazy enough to move back in the winter🥶

While I am moving back to Chicago, my traveling days are definitely NOT over! When my group is up for the vaccine I will gladly get in the queue to receive it and then will feel confident that I can continue checking off all the places I still want to see, and revisit some of those I love so much. In the meantime stay safe and remind yourself that we can do hard things. We already have. Sending all best wishes for a holiday that connects you with those you love most either in person safely or virtually if that’s the best way to keep everyone safe.

Patti💕

Solo Travel…Why?

For me the better question is why not? And if you’re going to do it hopefully provide a few tips on how to be successful. My initial intention was not to make this post specific to women, but in seeing how my ideas compare with what is currently on the internet I uncovered some fairly startling statistics. The current numbers show that significantly more women travel for pleasure solo than men. I can think of some reasons why that might be - but nothing I can prove so I’ll let you just think of your own reasons, and stick to the facts and say yeah for women! I almost just wrote there’s never been a better time to try it out but then I remembered - oh yeah Covid😣 Well there’s never been a better time to start planning a trip - whether your first solo adventure or you’re 25th!

I took my first big solo trip in 1984. I was single and out of college for a few years, and really wanted to go to Europe. At the time none of my friends were in a position to go - mostly because of work obligations, so I decided to go alone. I had never been out of the US, so decided to book with a tour group. The trip was 18 days and 6 countries - a real whirlwind. We started and ended in Amsterdam, and in between saw parts of Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. I was the only solo traveler on the tour and had a wonderful time. I got special attention from the tour guide and just about everyone on the trip. In general I have found most people who take a tour are pretty friendly. Maybe they just felt sorry for me because I was alone, but someone was always inviting me to join them for a meal, drink or just to visit so I never felt lonely. Then long story short it was many years before I would have the opportunity to travel alone again.

Fast forward to 2014 and I got a case of the serious travel bug. All of a sudden it was all I could think about. So I reached down deep inside and rediscovered the person I was in 1984 who just booked a trip and went. But so much has changed in 30 years. We have so much access to information right at our fingertips making trip planning fun and relatively easy. I have traveled a lot since making that first big trip in 2014, and about half or a little less has been by myself - both internationally and domestically. People ask me often which I prefer, and my answer is that depends. If I had to choose between traveling with someone that has interests, habits or an energy level significantly different than mine I would pick solo 100% of the time. That is a recipe for disaster. I’m fortunate in that I have a few good friends that are like minded and similar enough that we’ve gone on some pretty lengthy trips and had a wonderful time together. But I would never let not having someone to travel with hold me back from making a trip I wanted to take. This past August I had planned a month long trip to Scandinavia that unfortunately due to Covid had to be cancelled. I was doing that on my own, and still am so disappointed it didn’t happen, although my fingers and toes are crossed that in 2021 I will finally get there.

Me - 2014 in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate!

Reasons to travel solo:

• Do what you want when you want - sleep in or get up early, relax for hours in a coffee shop or see 3 museums in one day, eat snacks for all your meals so you can splurge on that beautiful purse you want! You’re the boss….always!

• Discover the you you used to be or the you you want to be - there are no expectations or responsibilities, no one judging you. You are and can be whoever you want to be. So freeing!

• A confidence builder - as much as you’ve planned your trip it won’t all go perfectly. You’ll need to think on your feet and you’ll be proud of yourself for what you accomplish. It will force you out of your comfort zone and help you grow.
  

Now for some tips - to keep you safe and confident:

• Pack light! You’re going to be on your own so make sure you can handle your luggage and personal items comfortably. A carryon and one personal item is best. You can do it! Check my blog post from August 8, 2018 in the archive for a detailed list.

• If this is your first solo trip it’s best to either pick a domestic destination, or somewhere that is culturally not a huge departure from what you’re used to. London or Paris yes. India maybe down the road.

• Plan to arrive at your destination in daylight. Most flights from the US to Europe arrive during the day which is perfect, but have a plan for getting to your accommodations in advance. If you fly through the night you’ll be tired so that’s not something you want to leave to chance. If you’re not planning part of your trip until you get there to be flexible make sure you have somewhere to stay at least your first night.

• Before you leave give a few family members and/or friends a copy of your itinerary, and a plan to check in with them periodically via email, text or phone calls. I usually text or email my kids a few pictures every day or two so that they know I’m doing fine. If your itinerary changes that’s fine - just make sure someone knows where you are headed.

• If you’re posting on social media don’t say specifically where you are as far as what hotel or address of an Airbnb. Since I’m typically blogging while I travel I post where I’ve stayed after I have moved to another location. It’s best to be cautious. In this day and age if someone knows your name they can google you and connect quickly to your social media and see what you’ve posted.

• One of the really fun things about traveling solo is talking to locals or other travelers. I have found it’s easier to meet people when you’re alone, but it’s best to be cautious and not reveal that you’re alone. Your safety is the most important, so I will typically not bring it up and if they ask I just say that my friend is somewhere else currently. Beware of offers from men or even women to do you favors, show you something or take you somewhere. Have a plan as to what you’re doing so you’re not tempted to make a bad decision you’ll regret later. The majority of people have good intentions but how do you really know?

• You don’t have to be alone all the time. It’s fun to take a day trip, cooking class, or museum tour to just name a few options. I have utilized a company called Viator and had good experiences. You typically don’t have to book far in advance. I have done just a day or two and been successful. I’ve usually been the only American so fun to meet other travelers from places all around the world.

• Security is very important. Please check out my currency post dated July 1, 2019 for tips on currency, credit cards, and keeping it all safe. I have a great travel purse I reference in that post that has worked out perfectly. A money belt is fine too if you prefer. Purchase an old fashioned rubber door stop and use it in your hotel or Airbnb to protect entry. Especially with an Airbnb you have no idea who has a key or the key code to enter, and by using the door stop no one is getting in. Don’t forget to take it with you when you leave.

• Research cultural norms like attire and physical body language. Many places are much more conservative in attire than the US, so you want to blend in and not stand out. Also Americans tend to be more outgoing with smiles and eye contact. In some places that can be taken as more than just friendliness and more of an invitation so something to be aware of.

• Stand up for yourself. If you are feeling uncomfortable for any reason don’t hesitate to ask for help or speak loudly to convey command of the situation. And always be aware of your surroundings. I always ask at the hotel or Airbnb if there are any areas I should steer clear of in terms of walking around by myself. In most European countries you will be a lot safer than in the US. Guns are not common for citizens to have so pickpocketing is usually the biggest risk.

• Dining alone is not something to dread. Practice locally before you travel. Bring a book or notebook to journal what a great day you just had. Talk to your waiter. Eat your main meal at lunch (which will save you money) and then eat light while sitting at a bar enjoying a glass of wine and chatting with the person sitting next to you.
  

A day trip I took when I was in Barcelona. Santa Maria de Montserrat is a Benedictine abbey which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat - a statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus which is one of the black Madonnas of Europe. It is believed to have been carved in Jerusalem in the late 12th century. Just kind of a spur of the moment decision to join a tour I read about. Worth it!

Travel makes me very happy💕

My Dad gave me great advice. He said “if you have things you want to do and you can afford it, then don’t wait because you never know how much time you have.” And my Mom always said “life is what you make it. You will be as happy as you want to be.” They were wonderful parents and I was listening💕 We are each responsible for our own happiness, and if Covid has taught me just one thing it’s that you never know what’s coming. I hope you find something in this post helpful!

Pandemic Update🤪

Still wearing masks. Still social distancing. Still washing hands. Not losing my mind. Not bored. What is wrong with me? I have created my own new normal structure to my day - which is very different from my previous structure which consisted of travel, volunteering and meeting up with friends. I’ve also just returned from a fun trip to South Carolina so feeling recharged and ready for a return to my new normal. So first some fun pictures from my trip and then a bit more about my new schedule.

A few clarifications on my recent trip. I am a believer in science and listening to the healthcare experts, so this was a decision I thought a lot about. My son and his lovely girlfriend Anna are currently sheltering in her parents beach house in North Myrtle Beach. They invited me to join them there for some very needed family time. We have all been super vigilant and following all guidelines. I am currently not comfortable flying. I have researched it carefully and my biggest concern is sitting right next to someone who might remove their mandatory mask after take-off or to eat or drink. It’s a 2 day drive so would require an overnight stay in a hotel. I get an email everyday from Marriott stating they are hospital grade cleaning and requiring masks so felt comfortable with that option. I scored hand sanitizer and plenty of wipes from Target. All in all it went well. I had plenty of snacks and just ate my least favorite food via drive through - but you gotta do what you gotta do. Gas stations and rest areas were quick stops where the majority of people were wearing masks - so that was a win. Thanks to Spotify and Audible the miles flew by - and for the most part it’s a pretty drive.

Once I was there it was so great! The beach house is just a block from the beach so I was there everyday. It’s in a residential area so the beach was not crowded making it super easy to have plenty of space between people. The ocean was so warm I actually got in and swam - not typical for me.

Lots of parasails everyday. That is definitely not me in the air!

Beautiful sandy beaches and dunes. Also Loggerhead Turtle nests! In about a half mile stretch I saw 6 nesting areas. The turtles lay nests from May through mid-August in that area with each nest having about 120 eggs. The eggs incubate for 55-60 days and the babies emerge from July through October.

I took these pics one morning at sunrise. An empty beach which I love💕

Great shelling! It is as if dump trucks have appeared and emptied their loads on the beach and in the shallow water. Anna’s mom Kim is an expert sheller. But even a novice like myself couldn’t fail. Everyday we came home each with a bag full. I brought them home and have little shell displays all over my loft and each one makes me smile.

That’s Kim out there in the shallows getting them before they hit the beach. Each shell a precious gift from the ocean.

No plans to eat in any restaurants and we adhered to that. We did get takeout some nights to sample the local cuisine which of course was heavy on delicious seafood and hush puppies. We also cooked a bit and as someone who has eaten most of my meals solo for going on 6 months that was a highlight. I botched my usual attention to taking food pictures but did get this one of the local favorite Bojangles. A local fast food place specializing in breakfast items especially that southern favorite biscuits. We got the Bo Box which is at least a dozen.

I love a good biscuit and these were pretty great😊

The time spent at the beach was very relaxing. No plans to do any big site-seeing but one night we did take a drive to Sunset Beach and over the state line to North Carolina to Bald Beach. Luckily didn’t see any of the local inhabitants at Sunset Beach. There was a sign warning of the ALLIGATORS! I was somewhat shocked but did a little research and found out there are roughly 100,000 alligators in SC and they can get up to 14 feet long and weigh 1000 pounds. They live in habitats along the Coastal Plain including tidal marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes. So I guess now I can call this an educational blog….turtle and alligator information abounds😂

Bald Beach at the top. Bottom photos all from Sunset Beach. Check out those cool porch swings!

Sunset on the dunes.

Never enough time with my favorite pooch Penny❤️ Her days consist of playing fetch and returning to this pose.

Such a fabulous time with some of my most favorite people. Thanks for being such wonderful hosts💕 I definitely feel re-energized and ready for whatever the next few Covid months bring.

So next up just some of the things that have been helping me survive and create my new normal. I like to think I’m a positive person so I am focusing on the silver linings from Covid. For one - I’m actually getting more and better sleep than I have in over 30 years. Almost without exception I’m getting a pretty solid 8 hours of sleep a night - and that feels great! Another silver lining is that it takes me way less time to get ready for the day. I’m not going anywhere that requires me to put much effort into my appearance, so a quick shower and then some shorts and a T-shirt and I’m good. It was the middle of June before I realized I hadn’t switched out my closet and brought out my summer clothes. And now I’ve barely worn any of them and certainly not had to buy anything new. One of my favorite things in the pre- Covid days was treating myself to a cappuccino or latte at one of the local coffee shops. For Christmas my kids bought me a Nespresso machine which I loved, but since Covid and the need to stay home it has brought me endless joy. At around 10 AM every morning I make myself a delicious drink using the espresso pods and my fabulous milk frother.

In my opinion as good or better then what I got in the coffee shops.

My cappuccino is coupled with usually a homemade blueberry muffin - something since Covid I have kept well supplied in my freezer. They are easy to make and fairly healthy because the recipe calls for rolled oats and just a small amount of sugar. In addition unlike purchased muffins that are often the size of your fist they are just normal muffin size - so no guilt involved. I have vowed often that this would NEVER be a cooking blog so I’m not going to post the recipe. But if you want it just reply to this post or email me at pattiparttwo@gmail.com and I will send it to you.

It tastes better on a beautiful plate. This is a souvenir from France made by Gien.

In addition to baking blueberry muffins I am definitely cooking more, but have returned to being a vegetarian for the most part. It is really what makes me feel best so buying lots of fruits and vegetables once or twice a week. I think at the age of 64 I have finally figured out how to relax. I’m reading a ton, and lots of times in the afternoon for a few hours after I go for a long walk or run. I set a reading goal at the beginning of each year and I already know that I will exceed that due to Covid. My goal was 40 books and I’m already on number 30. If you, like me love books I know you know that they can transport you all over the world. Since I can’t travel this year like I planned I am enjoying revisiting places I love and making plans to see new ones when we are able. So if you’re looking for suggestions here are some of my favorites in no particular order - other then that I read them this year:

• A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh

• Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

• A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman

• City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

• White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

• The One and Only Street in Paris by Elaine Sciolino

• The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

• A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

• Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan

• Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

• The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

Set in Jaipur India - known as The Pink City. I visited Jaipur in the fall of 2018 and fell in love with it. Reading this fabulous book transported me back to relive that trip and if you’re interested you can click on the archive and read about my trip there.

Most evenings I find myself watching Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime. We are blessed with more shows then one can watch in a lifetime, and here are a few of my favorites:

• The World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji on Amazon Prime. 10 episodes and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. I have never watched one minute of the show Survivor but I have to believe this is 1000 times harder. Watch it and maybe you will be inspired to become an Adventure Racer - which I didn’t even know existed.

• Hamilton, Moana, Mulan, Into the Grand Canyon and Free Solo on Disney Plus. When Disney bought the rights to Hamilton I was in - at least for a few months. It’s worth it just for Hamilton but so many other great things on it to see - especially the great documentaries.

• Schitt$ Creek on Netflix. Yes I already watched the 5 available seasons but it’s the funniest and best show when you just need to escape - so I’m watching the whole thing again and finding it even funnier the second time.

I love you Rose family💕

This is not exciting stuff. My heart breaks everyday for the millions of people in this country suffering with the loss of loved ones, lost jobs, possible evictions or loss of their homes, trying to feed their families and teach their kids through Zoom. I’m trying to help as much as possible while not becoming another bad statistic or worse yet spreading the virus to someone who could suffer a terrible outcome. These are trying times and from experience I know that losing hope is a very tough place to reside. So I’m focusing on this situation being a temporary one - and figuring out the small things that bring me joy helps a lot. Hang in there! The Best is Yet to Be💙

Bastille Day!

Bastille Day is the national day of France celebrated on July 14th each year. It celebrates the storming of the Bastille - a military fortress and prison in a violent uprising that helped usher in the French Revolution, and is celebrated much like the US Independence Day with parades and fireworks. I am guessing this year will be a quieter day in France as in much of the world where we are still dealing with the challenges of Covid 19. But I will still be celebrating it this year with at least a croissant in the morning and a nice glass of wine at happy hour, and pretending to be sitting in one of my favorite cafes in the Marais arrondissement in Paris.

Having this abundance of time on my hands when I can’t travel out of the country has given me the silver lining of time to think about when I can travel again where will I go, and time to reflect on the places I’ve been that have given me the most joy. And without a doubt France and more specifically Paris is what I have decided is definitely my happy place. So when I can travel again, and while I think I am an optimistic person, I also consider myself to be realistic - I don’t see it happening before mid 2021. I would love to be wrong but I’m prepared to be stateside until then. What I do know is that while Paris might not be the only place I go - it will most certainly be somewhere I visit at some point on that trip - most likely at the end as the perfect finish to another great adventure. Which brings me to the main point of this post. I’ve been to Paris 6 times so far. And the past couple of trips have each been for more then a few days - closer to a week. Why? So instead of just saying it’s my happy place and I could and want to keep returning I’m going to give you my reasons.

Reason Number 1 - Croissants! I can expand that category to include bread. I know you might be thinking what is she crazy? I can get bread anywhere! And to you I say not like in Paris. In France a bakery is called a boulangerie, not to be confused with a patisserie which sells pastries, cakes, mousses and desserts. A boulangerie sells different types of bread and basic pastries that need dough or a crust like eclairs and tarts. In Paris alone there are more than 30,000 boulangeries - and Paris the city is not as large as you might think. So there is basically a boulangerie on every block. And I want to try them all.

Fairly typical but many are quite a bit smaller.

Breakfast every day!

Number 2 - Museums. If you know me at all or have ever read any of my travel posts then you know I LOVE museums! In Slovenia I dragged my friend Julie on a wild goose chase into the Alps on a bicycle in search of a museum about bee keeping - and I’m not even a big fan of bees! Refer to my blog post from April 2018 for a recap of that adventure if you’re interested. Paris has arguably the best and largest amount of museums at your disposal of any city in the world - and I would like to visit every single one. And they are so reasonable and accessible especially if you take advantage of the Paris Museum Pass. You can buy a 2, 4 or 6 day pass for a reasonable cost and over that consecutive time period have unlimited entrance to over 50 locations - most of which are in the Paris vicinity. The only place not included in the pass and I wouldn’t consider it a museum is the Eiffel Tower. Definitely worth visiting but not included in the pass. I’ve been known to make 4 to 5 stops in a day using my pass - almost nothing constitutes a better day to me.

Is it a park or a museum? It’s both! The Louvre from the Tuileries Garden in spring💕

Top left - Musee D’Orsay, bottom right - Musee Rodin, bottom left - the Musee Du Louvre.

Number 3 - The beautiful architecture and neighborhoods (called arrondissements). The city was renovated to modernize it by a French official named Georges-Eugène Haussmann who was chosen by Emperor Napoleon III between 1853-1870. It was a massive urban renewal program of new boulevards, parks and public works to bring clean water and modern sewers. I’ve been to many of the 20 arrondissements and they each have their own personality and something they’re known for. I’ll keep going back until I know them all.

Haussmann architecture is characterized by facades made of sandstone with black iron balconies.

A typical street view with shops on the first floor.

Number 4 - a great transportation system and super walkable! I love using public transportation - at least pre - Covid I did - and hopefully once we have a vaccine will again. Paris has 16 metro lines and 5 RER lines that connect to the suburbs, so it’s very easy to get a pass or buy a carnet (10 ride tickets) and get anywhere you want in a jiffy. The system is clean, safe, well maintained and easy to navigate. You’re in Paris - act like a local!

Well marked metro entry.

Number 5 - Shopping. I’m not really a shopper but I turn into one in Paris. There are huge amazing department stores and small specialty shops in abundance. They line the streets everywhere and everything looks chic. If you can’t find it there I submit that it doesn’t really exist.

Paper stores, wine stores, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, etc, etc, etc!

Number 6 - Flower Shops. You might wonder why I give flower shops a separate category independent of shopping. Well it’s because I think they deserve their own listing because I find the number and beauty of them amazing. Almost like boulangeries they are on every block. I was so astonished I actually did research and found out that the French love fresh flowers and greenery. They live typically in fairly small places without gardens or green space so are especially drawn to have fresh flowers at home always. So you often see people heading home with a bouquet and a loaf of bread.

Smells so great walking by.

Number 7 - Parks and Gardens. The Tuileries! The Luxembourg Gardens! Those are two of the huge and famous gardens but in all the neighborhoods there are so many pretty little areas to sit on a bench and relax surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers.

The Luxembourg Gardens - spectacular!

Number 8 - The Food! I think it’s nearly impossible to eat bad food in Paris. Maybe if you try really really hard - but why would you when there is great food so easily available? Whether you just want a light bite or a 10 course meal you can find it easily. Reservations especially for dinner are highly recommended - but for lunch you can just stop in at a cafe or brasserie and get a salad, soup or my favorite - the Croque Monsieur - the best grilled ham and cheese you’ve ever had.

Julie and I eating our Croque Monsieur with a glass of wine of course😊

A typical dinner - always with fantastic bread.

Number 9 - the People💕 What? You heard the French hated Americans? Or that they were rude or unfriendly? That has never been my experience. I find the people lovely. They tend to be a bit more reserved than Americans - but very polite and helpful. Of course it should go without saying that being polite and patient to them and understanding that we are guests in their country and treating them accordingly is a given. And no one beats them - male or female - in looking more fashionable. They just wrap their scarfs around their necks and kill it!

The sweetest family that I met at a restaurant. Each of the children came over when their parents introduced them and kissed me on both cheeks. Lovely!

I know I’ll get there again. In the meantime I love reliving my memories and transporting myself back whenever I look at my pictures or eat a croissant. Happy Bastille Day! Vive la France! 🇫🇷

How to start planning a trip

I’m often asked for advice on how to plan a trip - but I’m usually planning a trip so don’t have time to walk through the steps I take. Enter pandemic - and now I find myself with time to share how the process goes for me and the resources I utilize. The first thing is to decide where you want to go. That’s never an issue for me. I have an endless list of places to see and explore. I spend time almost every day reading about places online or often reading a book will trigger an interest for me. I remember reading the book “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown and that sparked an obsession with me getting to Rome. So in 2006 it happened. When I’m taking a longer trip it always begins with a desire to go to a certain city or country, and then I start researching to see what else of interest I can add that makes sense from a logistical standpoint. The main focus of this post will center on traveling to Europe, although many of my recommendations apply to the US and beyond.

If you’ve never been to Europe you might consider taking an organized tour. There’s no shame in that and it will definitely build your confidence. The first time I went to Europe by myself in 1984 that’s what I did. If the internet existed then it wasn’t anything like it is now, so planning a trip myself was more then I was prepared or had time to do. I think I booked it with American Express and it was 18 days and 6 countries. It included Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. It was a whirlwind and we spent lots of time driving on a bus but we saw a lot and all I had to do was be on the bus with or without my suitcase at the assigned time. There are a ton of tour companies and I will recommend a few that I have used personally, but it’s pretty easy to find reviews online of any that are out there. You not only want to know the countries and cities the tour covers, but what the level of activity will be. If you are looking for a leisurely tour the last thing you would want is one that has a jam packed agenda from early morning till late at night. There are tours where part of the trip is unstructured giving you the opportunity to explore what’s of interest to you or gives you the chance to sit in a cafe and people watch for a few hours. Read everything you can about it and ask lots of questions.

I used Globus for the trip to Italy with my family back in 2006 and had good success. It was a pretty big group and a busy agenda but it worked out fine and got us around Italy smoothly. www.globusjourneys.com

Globus has another division called Monograms which I have also tried. Much smaller groups and very unstructured. They book the hotels and get you from the airport to the hotel and then to your next city and hotel but other then that you are on your own. I used them when Keeley and I went to London, Paris and Amsterdam in 2011. Worked out great for us because we wanted to plan our days the way we wanted. www.monograms.com

For my trip to India in 2018 Cindy and I went with Collette. Cindy and I have both travelled lots but we didn’t feel comfortable going to India on our own - and at least 20 times on the almost 3 week trip we each said how glad we were that we were in a group. It was only 12 people and our guide which was perfect, and we covered a lot of the central and northern part of that very large country with ease. But on our own it would have been much more challenging. Collette was great. Wonderful accommodations and special touches like dinner with a local family. I highly recommend them. www.gocollette.com

You might consider signing up for a couple of third party emails I have found helpful. These companies send out daily or weekly emails with all kinds of deals for tours, hotels or special events at discounted prices. www.travelzoo.com and www.gate1travel.com The prices are often excellent and while I haven’t done any of their tours I have friends that have and had very good experiences. I have gotten good hotel deals from Travel Zoo so I can recommend them.

Now you need to book flights. If doing a tour the tour company will be happy to do it for you, and the advantage of that is that if there is a flight issue it’s their responsibility to get it worked out to get you where you need to be, but it might cost more then if you did it yourself. Typically I book my own flights and a great tip I want to make you aware of is a site called Scotts Cheap Flights. Scott’s doesn’t sell you the flight - it just sends you emails letting you know when their are great deals to places outside the US. Check out their website at www.scottscheapflights.com where you can sign up to get their emails. There is a free membership that will give you one or two emails a day, but for a nominal cost (I paid $39 for the year) you can get the premier membership where you get multiple emails a day with more great deals. If you see one you want to book you need to jump on it because they don’t last long. I booked a round trip flight to Quebec City for $240 which was about a $500 savings. Unfortunately that trip was supposed to happen this last April so I had to cancel - but I will get there someday. I think it’s best to have a couple of places in mind so that if you see a fantastic airfare price you can grab it. Right now they are only sending deals from July forward since they know there is a lot of uncertainty about making travel plans. And these airfares are usually available to book on reputable airlines like United, American, Delta etc months ahead so it’s not that you have to book to go next week. You can also set up alerts on Kayak, Google Flights etc to alert you when there is a good fare for where you want to travel.

There are lots of travel books and websites you can use to help you plan your trip. My number one resource is always Rick Steves. I don’t think I’ve ever gone to Europe without bringing Rick along. He has traveled and written books about every country in Europe for more years then I know - and he has never let me down. I read the book for the areas I’m going from cover to cover and make notes of where I want to spend my time. He recommends where to stay, where to eat, transportation etc. He will never take you to the touristy places outside of major sites, and even then he tells you how to do it to avoid the crowds. When Julie and I were in Paris last May it was her first time so she wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower. All the advance tickets to get in were sold out for the entire month, but it started raining and I remembered reading in Rick’s book that if it rains most people leave and you are more likely to be able to buy a ticket - and sure enough we got right in. Thanks Rick! I bring the book with me but it never makes it back to the states with me. As I leave each day to see the sites I tear those pages from the book and bring them along. Often times his tours of sites from the book are as good or better then what you can get from a live guide so that more then pays the cost of the book. Lonely Planet and Fodor’s are also good books and many of these you can get from your public library. I read all I can from the library and then buy my favorite to take with me on the trip. Usually it’s Rick😊

My most recent purchase. I’ll get there - just not this August as I had planned☹️

Online resources I like to use are Trip Advisor, Trip Savvy and Afar. That can give you lots of ideas about what to do and see when you are in a city or country. I never want to go somewhere and find out after I left that I missed the most important and coolest thing. Trip Advisor has lots of reviews from real people so that is beneficial in so many ways. Just start googling and one thing leads you to another.

Lodging is important to me when I’m planning a trip. I’m pretty organized so I don’t like to get somewhere and hope I can find a place to stay. I’m not looking for the fanciest place since I won’t be spending much time there. Location, cleanliness and safety are my top three. Research helps determine best location and safety, and reviews tell you cleanliness. If I’m in a location at least 2 or 3 nights I will usually try getting an Airbnb. I rarely am somewhere for just one night but if I am I just get a hotel. There are pluses and minuses to both so you decide. Hotels have amenities like storing your luggage, usually includes breakfast, soft towels and toiletries. Airbnb’s are usually cheaper, you have kitchens and living rooms, and you’re in a neighborhood versus more touristy area. The books you read will give descriptions and recommendations. You can use online resources like Booking.com but prices are better if you go to the hotel and book directly.

The last large piece you need to plan is transportation. Research in this area is very important. If you’re flying to Europe from the US you will typically leave in the evening and land in the morning. So you will lose a nights sleep unless you are one of the few people who sleeps great on a plane. You will land and be excited and also very tired. So you should have planned how you will get from the airport to your hotel or Airbnb and not wait until you land to see what your options are. Often times there are shuttles you can pre-arrange, buses, trains, taxi etc. I am always trying to maximize my dollars so a taxi is usually the last resort. For example when landing in Paris you can Uber from Charles de Gaulle airport to the city for about $90 which can take an hour and a half or longer depending on traffic - or take the B Train for 12 Euros and be in the center of Paris in 30 minutes. Then if you’re heading from one city or country to another how will you get there and do you need to book that transportation in advance. If you are flying yes you will want to book that in advance. If you’re in a country with great train service then probably not - you can buy tickets right at the station before you get on the train. Recently when Julie and I were traveling from Lisbon Portugal to Nice France it made more sense to fly. It was cheap - about $72 and a short flight. We could have taken the train but it wouldn’t have been cheaper and would have taken 12 hours. Going from Nice to Avignon, and then to Lyon, and then to Paris we took trains and just bought our tickets the same day of travel. No problems. Maybe I’m weird (yes this is a certainty) but planning the transportation is one of the most fun parts for me. It’s like a puzzle and I need to figure it out. Probable the most challenging trip for me was in 2018 in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Italy has fantastic train service. Slovenia and Croatia not so much. Getting from Venice Italy to Ljubljana Slovenia was tricky. Supposedly there was a bus that ran once a day between the two but the reviews on Trip Advisor were scary. It seemed really hit or miss. Lots of people saying the bus never came and there was no one to talk to when you called the company that spoke English. I kept researching and found out about a shuttle service called Go Opti that had good reviews. A 6 person van that you could book for an 8:30 AM pickup in the only parking lot in Venice that would drop you off in Ljubljana in 3 hours. So I booked it and crossed my fingers. Perfect! Traveling in Slovenia and Croatia was amazing but the transportation was challenging and without preplanning would have been a disaster. Having it all go smoothly made me so happy.

Trains, buses, vans, boats and cars! We made it!

Travel Insurance? Yes! I always get it whenever I leave the country and especially with what’s happening in the world due to the pandemic it’s a must. I’m not an expert on it so research your options carefully. I’ve been reading that many travel policies don’t cover pandemics but going forward maybe that will change. Also review your health insurance as many plans - Medicare included don’t cover you outside the United States. I think it’s important to have coverage should you get sick while traveling.

As far as money, currency, credit cards etc. I did a blog post that is still current from July 2019 that you can refer to through the Archive tab on my blog. Now is a great time to research credit card options and getting the most bang for your buck. I found a great article from Money that did the work for you. Try this link or just go to Money.com and google it. https://money.com/best-travel-credit-card/ I also posted the link on my Patti Part Two Facebook page which you can get to from the bottom of my blog. I try and post articles on Facebook that I think are relevant to travel or provide helpful interesting information so feel free to follow my Facebook and Instagram accounts.

I also have a separate blog post on packing light that you can access from the Archive tab dated August 2018. It’s the blog post that gets more clicks then any other😂 Packing and traveling light has been life-changing for me. If you’re jumping on trains and buses the last thing you want is to be hauling a big suitcase. A carryon and personal item. Done! Doesn’t matter if I’m gone for a week or a month it all has to fit. Check it out and be enlightened!

Planning trips and traveling brings me so much joy. Helping other people plan also gives me joy so if I can answer questions or help please feel free to email me at pattiparttwo@gmail.com. I will travel again and I’m spending lots of time figuring out where I will go. Stay tuned!

Now for a pandemic update. I’m still cooking with Green Chef. Here are the latest delicious meals I’ve prepared.

Top right - Italian Herb-Seasoned Barramundi over sautéed kale with white beans and red peppers. Bottom left - Pesto Panko Chicken with Mozzarella and roasted red potatoes. Bottom right - Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I started stay-at-home a vegetarian and moved on to meat and potatoes. Stay-at-home is a slippery slope😞

And sometimes dinner is just a delicious pie flight! Thank you Upper Crust Pie😋

I finished this book in two days! So great!

Netflix binge! Loved it!

Wear a mask. An easy kindness you can do to protect you and everyone around you. ❤️

Well that’s it for now. Time to get back to more trip planning. Stay safe and be kind. We are all in this together - but not all in the same storm.