I just celebrated my 48th birthday and decided that I’m going to start planning for a 50th birthday trip to Paris. This is something I’ve always wanted to do and what better time? I pulled out an old calendar, cut out a picture of the Eiffel Tower and slipped it inside the cover of a 3-ring binder. This is where I will begin collecting pictures, travel articles, helpful hints and inspiration for my trip. I generally don’t like to tear pages from magazines but I’m going to start going through the magazines I’ve collected which have articles about France, cut them out and slip into plastic protector sheets in my “Paris Binder”.
I’m also going to check out what’s involved in getting a passport and get that done before the end of this year. Who knows? We might get a sudden opportunity to travel outside the country even before the Paris trip and it’s always good to be prepared, right?
Of course, I’ve long been saying I want to brush up and review the French I learned in high school and college. I have language CDs for the car and a demo version of the Rosetta Stone program which will give me a start. I also plan to listen to French music CDs and watch a lot of French films.
I took the first step today by designating a binder for the information I will collect. If you have any good suggestions for online articles, French blogs, books, films, music, etc. please do let me know. I suspect this will one of those instances in which the planning is half the fun.
Yay for you! What a good idea to create a binder with ideas of things to do and see. I've already told my husband we're going to France for our 25th anniversary in 2013 and I'll soon need to start planning and practicing my French.
It's smart to have a valid passport because you never know what might come up. A few years ago my husband was going to Israel on business and asked if I wanted to go. I almost didn't because my passport had expired. With a lot of work (and extra fees paid), I got my passport just in time and was able to take a memorable trip.
I'd love to share notes on must do's in Paris. I've very excited for you!
I think this is such a fun and fabulous project. I believe the planning is half the fun too. Why not get the most from the trip by looking forward to it and compiling all the information to be able to 'live' it before you even reach the airport.
Two years to plan is a good amount of time too. I think I'm correct in remembering you from the French Chic group? I would love to include a Josy Mermet makeover in my future Paris trip (in the far-away planning stages at the moment).
Cherie: Too bad your 25th and my 50th are a year apart – we could meet up in Paris. 🙂 Yes, I'd love to share notes on Paris.
Fiona: Yes, I'm on French Chic. I've been there for years (starting back when it was Je Ne Sais Quois) and am a moderator, albeit a behind-the-scenes one. I'm trying to be more active on the list because people like you are an inspiration to me. Thanks for visiting my blog. 🙂