Preparing to Leave

It is always a blast to pack. I have to hide books so I won't end up with books and no clothes. Luckily I can pack light and for two weeks the bag will be light indeed.

3 t-shirts,
sweater
pyjamas
slippers
1 fancy shirt
3 pair of slacks,
half a dozen scarves,
a bit of junk jewelery,
6 pair of underpants
2 bras,
sandals, walking shoes,
3 pair of socks,
6 knee socks nylon
a leather jacket
and umbrella.
Camera
basic makeup
face and hand cream
shampoo and conditioner
2 books
Italian English dictionary
sketch pad
some paints and brushes
laptop
telephone
dvd-cd player

The weather is a balmy 70 degrees, and the sun will be at the point I won't mind sitting in it for awhile. I don't like to get tan, but I do like being warm.

I arrive Sunday morning, take a train to the Stazione Termine and walk to the apt. It sounds like fun.

Wake up in the morning and go for a capuccino. Sit in a cafe and read the newspaper. Wander around for a few hours and then have lunch. Sit on the Spanish Steps and watch the world go by. Ah, that's life. Yes, I am looking forward to this.

Booking in Rome

Today I booked an apartment for two in Rome. It is small, not cheap, but then what is with the dollar as low as it is? We can travel by metro everywhere and bus, when metro is not available. It should be warm during the day and cool at night. Ah, a bit different than here.

This will be our winter runaway, renting apts around the world. Sounds better than staying in Florida. Yuk!!! And instead of buying a house and paying more than $100,000, we use that same money to rent something in a different place every year.

Eventually we won't be able to travel, then we can stay in our nice home. Yes, I am looking forward to this trip.

Getting Ready for Paris

My husband and I decided to go to Paris for two months this winter. We have never rented an apartment for a holiday before, so this was quite a new experience. My friend in Denmark got me started by suggesting a holiday website and I began the search. We settled on a small efficiency apartment in the 2nd arrondisement in Paris, put some money down and will go January 3, 2010 for two months.

Today I bought a map and found it to be lacking, but it is better than nothing, so I'll use it. Then I found a link that talks about the tunnels under Paris, which I find quite intriguing.

I have my French tapes and will attempt--though I tend to be intellectually lazy--to read something in French everyday.

I have some books by Cara Black, who writes mysteries which take part in Paris, so I want to find those streets on the map and follow her around the city.

I have been told that it is easy to use the Metro, so I am looking forward to that. I love exploring new cities, and though I have visited Paris before, I have never really become acquainted with it as I have in Rome and London.

The last time we visited, I became quite ill from the smoke in the cafes and restaurants. Even the hotel was filled with smoke and I am an asthmatic. It didn't set to well at the time, and I said I wouldn't return until smoking was banned. Now smoking has been outlawed. Amazingly enough the French actually accepted it without too much hassle. See---even the stubborn French can accept a good rule.