How to Pack: Part 1

How to pack for a month when you're a fashionable person and a nitorious overpacker.

Sacrifice//

You carefully think about what items you can sacrifice. I think I can get by without boots, and without an everyday jacket. These are all bulky or heavy things that I can do without. I won't even think about leaving behind my laptop, camera, and I'll have to get a phone when I get there. Sure they are heavy, but I am willing to give up some space to bring these with me.

Less Bulky//

Since the weather will be between 50 and 80, I don't need things for super cold weather or worry about burning up everyday. But I will try to packed a little bit of everything inbetween—shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, skirts. But the trick lies in packing less of some items and more of others. I only plan on only packing my rain jacket, but I will pack several cardigans because I can layer them if I need to, and they'll keep me warm in moderate weather. I'm packing only one pair of jeans because pants take up so much room in a suitcase, and honestly I could wear the same pair of jeans for a week with different tops and nobody would notice. I'll probably packed a lot of dresses because they’re so light and easy to pack a bunch without taking up much room at all. They also work in warm and cool weather if you have tights/leggings and a sweater to throw on top. Not to mention dresses are just fab.

Versatile//

They key is to pack items that can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. For example, a good thing to have is a top that will go well with a skirt and jewelry to go out on a date, but can also be worn with shorts and flipflops to the beach. I'm going to try to avoided taking anything that could only be casual (think a sporty Nike top) or that could only be dressy (think sequined, silky top). I'm not sure about shoes yet, but I'll probably have to take a few pairs. I'll looks for ones that can with jeans and a dress (excluding my sneakers [or confortable activity shoes], which I wouldn't wear with a dress).

Neutrals//

Not packing things that don’t match with a lot of pieces in your wardrobe. Yes, that means leaving your abstract 80s shirt and fuchsia heels at home. Luckily, I own a lot of neutral colors like black, plum, olive green, and white. Sorry I don't vary much on colors I wear. This helps you create the greatest amount of different outfits with your limited wardrobe for an extended time. Neutral shoes, neutral tops, neutral belts, neutral accessories. 

Accessories//

Accessories—don’t feel like you have to leave them at home because they’re extra baggage. They really help you jazz up an outfit that you feel like you’ve worn a dozen times too many in the last month. Just pack the thin chain necklace, not the chunky ones.

Extra Bags//

In addition to a suitcases, I'll have a messenger bag for my laptop and to take to school. I'll either take a small backpack or a versatile purse for day trips or nighttime activities. Now I'll have one suitcase, one messenger bag/purse, and one backpack. 

This is the goal. I'll fill you in on what I'm actually allowed to pack when my mother gets a hold of her list!

Some Fun Facts

In preparation for leaving for France, I'm dedicating a little time each week to learn more about the area that I will be visiting. It's weird to think that I will have to pack and prepare for a month! This seems a like a daunting task for me, as I am a notorious over-packer. I will have help with a check list from USC as well as many travel tips from various travel-blogs that I follow, to guide me through this task. I'm sure my mother will be my good judgement on this as well. So this week I did some research on the weather for the month of June, any local places that are must-sees and some various local favorites, starting in Paris.


P.S. The cafe Au Bureau in my title photo is my professor's "office" where he said we can find him during several office hours a week. He said he would be willing to help with tips, classes, or advice. He did however say he would probably be found sipping on a drink. It is summer vacation after all.

I can handle this weather. It's been so hot everywhere already, that I'm hoping it will be on the higher side of this. Another site I looked at has the predicted average around 69 degrees this summer. As long as it's sunny I'm happy.

Places to see in Paris:

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Located at the summit of the butte Montmarte, the highest point in the city.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Most popular tourist site in Paris, 13 million people visit annually.

I would love to make it to Versailles. This most likely won't happen in my 3 days there, but perhaps I can convince someone to make a weekend trip to see it with me!

Fun Fact #1: You have to ask for your check when you want to leave in Paris. If your waiter brings it to you before you have asked, it is considered very rude. L'addition s'il vous plait.

 With chocolate shops, bakeries, and cheese, I would worry about gaining weight. Luckily, I'll have to walk everywhere! I really don't mind this since it will give me lots of time to take pictures and explore the cities that I will be in.

Montmartre: many people I have talked to have told me to go here because I like the arts and city-subcultures. We'll see if this is true, but I hope to dedicated some time wandering around here.

I'm going to have to get used to using these. Hopefully I don't get lost anywhere. I'm sure Dr. Persels will help with getting us acclimated and show us where to go.

Fun Fact #2: Located on the lower reaches of the Loire River between Orléans and the Atlantic coast, Tours (pop. 142,000) is the largest city in the Loire Valley.

Fun Fact #3: The surrounding Touraine region is known for its wines, its châteaux, and for the unaccented perfection of its spoken French. 

This is good for practice, but I know I'll have an accent (je suis tres desole!)

Fun Fact #4:  St. Martin was the Bishop of Tours from 371 to 397. Gregory of Tours was a church historian and bishop in the 6th century (he kept a history of the buildings and people that were wiped out in the Revolution).


Wines in Tours
Most of the wines from this region, red and white, are light and crisp, and easy to enjoy. Bubbly wines from this region are considered by some to be the great value in Sparkling Wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are the predominant white grapes and the Red and Rose wines are almost always made from Cabernet Franc.

Next time, I'll focus more on Tours, the chateaux, the food, the culutre. Until then...

à bientôt

(Photos from Google Images, Mr. and Mrs. Globetrot)

Bonjour!

Bonjour!

I'm very exctied to get started with blogging about my summer trip in Tours. Yes, it's March, so I'm a bit ahead, but I'm very excited. I will be using this blog as a way to keep family and friends updated on all of my goings on while I'm in France this summer. I will be posing pictures and trying to keep up with what I'm doing with my time while I'm there. On all of the major trips that I have gone on previously, I've kept a journal of what I did daily (thanks Mom). Four weeks is a long time to write daily, so I thought a blog is an easier way to keep track of my trip (plus I'll be having so much fun I won't have time everyday!). 

So what exactly will I be doing?

In short I will be finishing up my french minor abroad. I will be taking 6 credit hours of intensive french language, culture, and writing courses. I will be in class for about 4 hours a day, mostly in the morning (hard right?), and then exploring and speaking with french natives the rest of the time. I will be living in a house with a french host family. I will get my own room, breakfast and dinner each day, and my laundry done (merci ma future famille française)! There are 10 students from USC who will be in the program with me, as well as a USC professor, Dr. Persels, who will act as an intermediary with l'Institut de Touraine. He will also set up possible weekend activities and general events for us while we are in Tours. (Here's the link to the school http://www.institutdetouraine.com/en)

Where exactly will I be?

I will be flying in and out of Paris, where I will spend the first 3 days of my trip before traveling by train to Tours. Tours is about 240 km from Paris or about 55 min by train. It is located in the central-western part of the country. And if you're still curious, you can check out their official city website (yes, it's in french, but there are pretty pictures!) http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/index_us.html

This part of the country is famous for their chateaus, wine, and goat cheese. There is even a museum about wine, that's how serious they are about it. It's also a big pork and beef country.

When will I be gone?

I will be leaving the US on May 24th and returning on June 24th. My first three days will be spent in Paris and then I will be off to Tours for the remaining time. By a stroke of luck (or thanks to the French government) our classes don't actually start until Tuesday because Monday is a French holiday. This gives us a day to walk around and get aclimated with the city a little before starting class. Our final exams are also done a few days before I actually leave, so I will have a couple days at the end to get in my final tastes of France.

I will try to document what's going on as I get ready as well as while I'm there. I want to be able to share the experience with all of you. I'll keep you posted as I get ready to go!

à bientôt