Flying back to the US

On May 8, 2021May 7, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn Travel1 Comment

As much I was ready to leave France, I’ll be honest that the idea of the actual travel itself was not appealing. Part of me definitely had some thoughts along the lines of “what if I just stayed?” but realistically, that wasn’t entirely an option. Obviously, the pandemic is still an issue, so that did feed into my experience (or as I like to call it, ordeal), and made some parts of it more complicated than others.

Prior to flying, I had to receive a negative Covid-19 test result within three days of my flight (in contrast to some countries that require 72 hours, the US has a blanket three calendar day requirement). Since my flight out was 6 May, I decided to get tested on 4 May – happy Star Wars day to me – in case anything happened to delay my flight. Getting tested was super easy, and I got my results six hours after I did the test. I was able to print them out, and they also showed up on my TousAntiCovid app, which I was able to use as proof to board my flight. I also had to print out an attestation from Delta which when signed, stated that I had received a negative result within three days. Both of these were checked, and the latter taken from me before I was allowed to board my flight to the US. They did not check the attestation you supposedly have to have to leave France, which is further proof that the border situation isn’t as “closed” as the government likes to say it is.

The morning of my departure started out very early as I had a 6:25 train out of Dijon. I probably woke up earlier than I needed to, but I find that sleep is something that evades me before travel under the best of circumstances, and this was certainly not the easiest travel adventure I’ve undergone. The train station wasn’t super busy that early in the morning, although it wasn’t entirely empty. My train pulled in on time, and it mercifully wasn’t crowded (contrary to the train I took to Dijon in September that was absolutely packed), which was good because you get a whopping four minutes to get on the train before it leaves. I arrived at Gare de Lyon in Paris at 8:09, so the train made good time. There aren’t any direct trains from Dijon to the airport, unfortunately, hence my having to go to a train station in Paris instead. I could’ve opted to take two trains going via Lyon to get to CDG completely via train, but the scheduling didn’t work well for the timing of my flight.

Due to the fact that I had three suitcases and a backpack, I opted to take a cab from the train station all the way to the airport. I had toyed around with the idea of taking the RER from Gare du Nord up to Paris, but ultimately wasn’t sure I could handle it. I had also thought about getting an uber, but the cab ended up being a cheaper option, so I went with that. I lucked out with traffic and made excellent time to the airport, about which I can’t complain.

The airport in Paris didn’t feel super busy when I arrived, which makes sense given that a lot of international travel is limited right now. I checked my bags, and then proceeded through security, which went pretty quickly given the few people there at that hour. Since I had so much time to kill, and access to the AirFrance lounge, I went there after clearing security to wait out the several hours until my flight departed. The lounge had a decent amount of food, both pre-wrapped and buffet style (although it was served to you), and ample places to sit, although annoyingly, not enough outlets! As I sat and waited, the lounge did fill up more and more, and by the time I left to head to my gate, it was substantially more crowded than it had been when I arrived.

"Bon voyage, have a good trip" written on the wall in the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris — Saying au revoir to Paris, and to France!

My first flight was operated by AirFrance, and flew into Atlanta. There were under 50 people on the flight, which is somewhat indicative of the state of international travel (and the fact that non US citizens can’t currently gain entry to the US from abroad). I say somewhat because the gate next to my flight’s was a flight headed to Dubai and that flight was way more packed than mine. We were bussed to the airplane, and spent a while waiting in the bus for every person on the plane to be present since they seemingly didn’t want to run two busses. We did push back a little late, and our departure was delayed, but not sizably enough to be of concern. It was raining in Paris when we departed (almost as if France was crying for me), but then quickly accessed some sun once we climbed to higher altitude. They served us our first meal within an hour of take off (I’m not sure whether it was meant to be lunch or dinner if I’m honest, but I won’t say no to food), and then I hunkered down to try and get some sleep. I had been up for 10 hours already by the time my flight departed. The flight was pretty smooth, although we did climb to 40,000 feet at one point to avoid turbulence, and I felt that height on the descent. The flight attendants were all lovely, and at one point I had a decent length chat with one of them in the galley (I promise I kept checking to make sure I wasn’t distracting them or anything). I know that wouldn’t have been possible if there had been more people on my flight. We were served breakfast before we landed, and arrived in Atlanta 8.5 hours after leaving Paris. My one (personal) complaint about AirFrance was that their policy is you must wear a surgical mask on the flight, and cloth ones were not an option. I don’t mind those masks, but they are more irritating to my face so they aren’t my preferred mask if I can opt for a cloth one plus filter.

Young woman, masked, in a snapchat selfie with the Charles de Gaulle Paris Aéroport, France filter — Enjoy my stressed and masked face in preparation for flight one of two

The first step after deplaning was of course, customs, which is always stressful to me. It took about ten minutes to get through the queue, and then I was shocked as the border agent looked at my passport, scanned it, and let me go without any further questions. I would’ve thought, especially during a pandemic, they would’ve been more diligent in figuring out why people were traveling and from where they were coming. They didn’t seem fussed at all. I picked up my checked bags and then was questioned by an agent between there and the next security checkpoint about where I’d been, what I had in my bags, and all that. I got questioned there more than before, but no issues with letting me pass. Rechecked in my bags for my next flight, and proceeded through security, which also involved no checks to ensure I was actually catching another flight. Very odd if you ask me. That security line was the most stressed I’d been since I left Dijon, though. The pace at which everyone was moving was so quick, and they were asking you to not just remove liquids and electronics, but food as well, so I was having to take out a lot of contents, all while being hustled by the people behind me to get my stuff in the boxes quicker. I was glad to be out of that queue.

I had to change concourses to catch my next flight, but Atlanta has a tram system you can take to expedite the journey. As soon as I exited into the domestic terminals, I was shocked to see just how many people were in the airport. If it weren’t for people wearing masks, you wouldn’t have known there was a pandemic raging. I holed away in the Delta lounge for a little bit before going to the gate for the last leg of my journey. The flight to PDX ended up being delayed (apparently there’s a pattern with this particular flight), so we didn’t board on time, and subsequently didn’t depart on time. It was an absolutely full flight, and as they are no longer blocking middle seats, this meant that every seat was occupied. Luckily, the flight was uneventful other than some small bouts of turbulence towards the end. They dimmed the lights the whole time (the flight left after 8pm) and I was able to sleep for most of it, even if it was fitful because plane sleeping is never an entirely enjoyable experience. We finally touched down in Portland shortly after 10pm, and then I got to see the beloved PDX carpet again! The bags took a while to come out, but I finally emerged from the airport around 10:40pm, and I was glad for the fresh air, and the fact that I was on solid ground.

Feet on the carpet at the PDX airport — Not quite the carpet I know and love, but the carpet available in the baggage claim terminal

From start to finish, my ordeal took one train, two planes, and 28 hours, and yes, I wore a mask the entire time. The worst part about wearing a mask? My ears were pretty sore when I finally took it off, but other than that, it wasn’t annoying or uncomfortable in any way. I slept in it and everything. I’m definitely of the mind that if you can’t wear a mask properly for any given amount of time (yes, over the mouth AND nose), you shouldn’t be traveling. Other than sore arms from my baggage, and fatigue from jet lag + the whole travel experience, I’m feeling pretty alright. I’m now in isolation for seven days per CDC recommendations, and then will be able to emerge and get my first vaccine dose if all goes well! It’s going to be at least another four months until I’m on a plane again, and I sincerely hope things are a little better then, but I’m glad to be done with this last travel ordeal, that’s for sure.

Things to do in Dijon (during a pandemic)!

On February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn France, Travel2 Comments

Since I’ve been in Dijon for a few months now, and have had time to do a decent amount of exploration, I thought it was high time to write up about the things I’ve discovered! I haven’t been able to truly experience all Dijon has to offer due to the pandemic closing many touristy things, but I’ve still found plenty to see and do so far. Here’s my list (thus far), of things you can do in Dijon, including things you can do during a pandemic!

Parcours de la Chouette

La chouette, or an owl, is kind of the symbol of Dijon. If you wander around centre ville, you’ll notice small brass golden triangles on the ground with the symbol of an owl. If you follow the direction the arrows are pointing, you’ll find yourself following the parcours de la chouette (pathway of the owl in English). It’s a great way to discover not only all the sights of centre ville Dijon, but also to learn some history. For 3,5€, you can purchase a guide book from the tourism office (in English or in French) to tell you what each landmark is and the history associated with it – the walk itself is completely free (barring any potential entrance fees along the route). There are 22 “destinations” to check out on three routes that will lead you through Dijon’s history, and of course pass you by the famous statue of the chouette itself, located on the outside of the Eglise Notre Dame. Be sure to make a wish and touch it with your left hand for good luck! The first stop on the path is located right outside the gates of the Jardin Darcy and continues from there.

The owl (chouette) carved into the side of the Eglise Notre Dame in Dijon, France — *La Chouette* on the side of the Eglise Notre Dame – I promise, it’s supposed to be an owl!

Palais des Ducs

Located next to the Place de la Liberation, the Ducal Palace was home to the Dukes of Burgundy in the 14th and 15th centuries. While no dukes reside there currently, the building is home to the hôtel de ville, tourism office, and the musée des beaux-arts. It’s a stunning façade, and it’s a sight to see as you wander through the streets of centre ville to come upon the massive palace. It’s also considered the heart of centre ville. If you’re feeling up to getting some steps in, you can climb the Tour de Philippe le Bon for a panoramic view of the city, but you can also just observe the palace’s grandeur from outside. Fun fact: there once was a massive statue of Louis XIV in the middle of Place de la Liberation, but when the French Revolution came, the citizens melted it down and used it for cannons!

Tour Philippe le Bon

The highest point of the Palais des Ducs, you can climb the tower to get magnificent views of Dijon. Tickets cost 5€ and can either be purchased online, or in the tourism office. It is a guided tour to climb the tower, so entrances are timed in approximately 45 minute intervals. Tours are offered in French, English, and German, although the latter two languages at less frequent intervals. Built in the 15th century by Philippe le Bon, the tower was constructed to show the other dukes of France the power of Burgundy, as well as offer private entrance into the duke’s quarters. You will have the opportunity to observe the long spiral staircase as you climb the 316 steps it takes to get to the top of the tower. Once at the top, you will be able to look down on the Place de la Liberation, as well as have sweeping views of the ornate rooftops, the different eras of construction within the city, and even (on a clear day) the Alps! [The tower did unfortunately stop visits when confinement started in November, and remained as such at the time of posting.]

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Located in the Palais des Ducs, this museum houses fine art from the start of the antiquity, all the way through to the more modern era. You will find works from the height of the Burgundian era, and be able to track the evolution of Dijon through artwork. The highlight of the museum is the tombs of John the Fearless and Philip the Bold laid out in all their alabaster grandeur. The museum is truly a maze of fine art, with numbered rooms across several floors to help you follow the chronology. As the museum is housed in the Palais des Ducs, you can also spot some historical architecture as you navigate the museum. Entrance to the museum (and all museums of Dijon) is free. [Museums also, unfortunately closed with the November confinement and remain as such at the time of posting.] Other museums to visit are the Musée de la vie Bourguignonne (a museum dedicated to Burgundian life mainly predating, and up to WWI), and the Musée Archéalogique (a museum housed in an abbey showcasing archeological finds from the region).

Tomb of Philippe le Bon and John the Fearless in the Musee des Beaux Arts in Dijon, France — The tombs of Philippe le Bon and John the Fearless are displayed so that you can admire them from 360 degrees

Centre Ville

As with many French cities, the centre ville is not to be missed. Dijon has a perfect mixture of new and old architecture, with houses and façades dating from the 15th century ensconced across the street from a modern bank. In centre ville, you’ll also see tiled roofs. This style actually originated in Belgium, and was predictably only found on the roofs of wealthy citizens. Due to the war, there aren’t many left in Belgium (so I’ve been told), but you can see them in all their glory in Dijon, and most notably in the hospices in Beaune! You can see them particularly along Rue des Forges in Dijon, but they’re scattered about the city – just be sure to look up! Also be sure to check out the Porte Guillaume, an arch that marks where the ancient entrance to Dijon would’ve been when the city was walled, as well as the Église Notre-Dame, and Église Saint Michel for some beautiful gargoyles and architecture.

Tiled roofs in Dijon, France — The tiled roofs in Dijon

Gardens and Parks to Visit in Dijon

Parks and gardens make for the perfect outdoor activity, especially during a pandemic when many indoor tourist attractions are closed. There are several to be found throughout Dijon, but here are some of my favorites!

Parc de Loisirs de la Toison d’Or

Located by the mall (Toison d’Or), there is a lovely park you can meander through which has a large water feature, play area for children, and even has a mini zoo! You can see bees being kept to make honey (honey is a big product in Dijon), ducks, goats, roosters, and even sheep. There are skateboard ramps if that’s your jam, basketball courts, and ping pong tables, too. It’s not a massive park, but it’s a perfect little day walk, and if you need to get in a shopping fix when you’re done, the mall is right next door! It’s easily accessible by tram if you take ligne 2, and get off at Toison d’Or.

Jardin Japonais

On the outskirts of the city, there’s a lovely little Japanese garden nestled in a neighborhood. It’s not huge, but it’s along the Promenade du Suzon and it’s very calm and peaceful! You can walk along the pathway to access it while listening to the calming stream flow by, and see a perfect blend of nature and city life. [Also located near by is one of my favorite boulangeries in Dijon: Du Pain Pour Demain. Their pains au chocolat are perfectly layered and heavenly. Be sure to stop by if you’re in the neighborhood!]

Jardin de L’Arquebuse

Located within a five minute walk from Place Darcy in centre ville, this garden is a fascinating walk back in horticultural time. Planted all over are different kinds of plants, trees, and other things that grow out of the ground that date from ancient to modern eras. Some of the plants will change during the year given what’s in season, but the trees planted in 1890 will forever remain where they are, sign posted so you can tell their age. Included in the garden is a planetarium, orangerie, and museum, perfect for an hour or so of exploration outdoors. If you’re into plants, and learning their history, this is the perfect spot to visit.

A day in Beaune

On October 30, 2020February 20, 2021 By notyouravggiraffeIn France, Travel1 Comment

Even though I can’t travel internationally at the moment, or too much around France, that doesn’t mean that I can’t explore my region. I decided to take a day trip to Beaune, which is only 20 minutes away from Dijon by train. This meant that getting there was easy, but also that it wouldn’t take a long time to get back to Dijon if I was uncomfortable, or if Beaune ended up being too busy to be enjoyable.

The train from Dijon to Beaune runs 2-3 times an hour, so I wasn’t too concerned about booking my tickets in advance. As such, I showed up to the gare 15 minutes before the train I wanted to take left (I had done some research on when the trains departed so I could plan my journey to the train station), bought my ticket, and boarded the train. I left at 10:12 and was easily able to find a seat. It’s a TER, so a local, commuter train, so it won’t reach the top speeds of the TGV, but you can enjoy the views as you go. Beaune was the first stop on the journey (half the train was destined to Nevers, the other half to Clermont-Ferrand), so 20 minutes later, I was able to descend and start exploring!

Top tip: Download the oui.sncf app to see when trains depart before you arrive at the station. You can also buy tickets in advance on the app for longer/less frequent journeys!

The train station in Beaune is about a 15 minute walk from the center of town, but it was a fairly straight-forward walk. My first stop du jour was at the Maison des Climats, which is a free exposition on wine culture in the Bourgogne region. I had a dreadful time finding it because my maps on my phone directed me to somewhere where the museum was not, but it turns out it’s located within the tourism office! I ironically popped in there to ask where it was and saw the signage pointing to a back room for the exhibition. From my research, this is supposed to be a very interactive and digital exhibition, but unfortunately, most of the interactive options were not available due to the current health situation. It looked like that would’ve made everything a bit more interesting, but I was still able to spend a good 20 minutes in there learning about wine in the region, and about the climats, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites! From what I gleaned, climats are different areas where grapes for wine grow, and they are determined by the soil, weather, grape type, people who tend the land, and other far more complicated criteria. There are 1247 of them in Bourgogne! Everything in the Maison des Climats is in French and English, so it’s perfect for visitors who aren’t as comfortable with wine terminology in French.

Since the Maison des Climats hadn’t satisfied my viticulture palate enough, I decided to head to the museum of wine. Along the way, I stopped to visit the Basilique Notre-Dame. I wasn’t super impressed with the interior of the church, but I’m always a fan of stained glass, and there was plenty of it inside the church.

Basilique Notre Dame in Beaune — Exterior of the Basilique Notre Dame

The museum is just around the corner from the church so I popped in and began learning all about the history of wine in the Bourgogne region! Did you know that wine has been in this region since the romans (and maybe even before)? At one point, Philippe le Bon said that Bourgogne had the “best wine in Christendom,” and he’s responsible for planting a lot of the vineyards that are currently still in existence. The main types of wine produced in Bourgogne are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The museum is on two floors and presents a pretty good history of the viticulture in the region, of the climats, and how the wine is cultivated. It also delved into the importance of wine in Burgundian culture and traditions. I thought it was an informative museum, and worth the price of admission (5,80€), which includes admission to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, if that’s your cup of tea. Even if you’re not the biggest wine drinker (like me), you can still learn about viticulture on the whole, which is way more complicated than I could’ve imagined it to be.

After the museum of wine, I went to the Hôtel-dieu, which is the best thing (in my opinion) to visit in Beaune. The building itself dates from 1443, and is also known as les hospices, as it was a hospital/convalescence home for several centuries. It’s recommended that you book your ticket online before arrival, as this is a popular destination to visit in Beaune. You can go online and see the availability for every half hour and either book there, or like me, see how busy the day looks and decide to buy in person based on the availability the day before. The first step on your self guided tour (you can also book a guided one but those are at set times), is entering the courtyard where you can see the beautifully tiled roofs. I spent a lot of time just standing there because I can’t get over the tiles!! There are some roofs in Dijon with that same design, but the roofs aren’t nearly as big as the one in Beaune. The self guided tour leads you through the hôtel-dieu, where you can learn about the nuns who used to live and work there (the last one retired in 2006), their efforts during WWII, and the full several century long history of the building. Once you enter, you can spend as much time as you want roaming through, but everything was in one direction only, so no looping back (this might be purely Covid related, but it might not be). All in all, I spent about an hour exploring the different rooms and reading about all the history of the place! It was fairly empty when I went, but I can imagine it taking longer if the rooms were packed with other visitors.

Hôtel Dieu in Beaune with tiled roof — The beautifully tiled roofs in the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune

When I’d finished visiting the Hôtel-dieu, I decided to walk to the outskirts of the old city to see the last remaining archway rampart that marked the entrance to Beaune, once upon a time. There’s a similar one in Dijon, and it shows that at one point, the whole city would have been encircled with walled ramparts. From there, I decided to walk to the Parc de La Bouzaize, which is a massive park with a small lake that you can take a boat out onto if you wish, lots of greeneries, and directly behind the park? Sprawling vineyards. I found an open gate towards the back of the park and was able to wander up close to all the vineyards and not only is it extremely beautiful, but it’s so impressive to see that many vineyards in one place, and for almost as far as the eye can see. It looked like there was a walking trail you could do, but it was long (4-6km), and I hadn’t prepared to do that much walking in a day. Duly noted for next time, though! I know a big attraction of Beaune is doing wine tasting and vineyard tours, and maybe that will be a more enticing thing to do when the global health situation has calmed a little.

Vineyards behind Parc de La Bouzaize in Beaune — So. Many. Vineyards.

My last stop in Beaune was the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This wasn’t an initially planned stop, but because my entry ticket from the wine museum included entry to this museum, I decided to pop in and see. This museum was also located in the Tourism Office (not that maps on my phone was telling me that), and I wasn’t super impressed with it, if I’m honest. It’s not very big, and I didn’t see any works of art in there that really fascinated me. I’m not sure that it would’ve been worth the price of admission if it hadn’t been included in the wine museum ticket.

After that final stop, I was ready to head back to Dijon. I checked the oui.sncf app on my phone to see train times, and headed back to the train station in time to buy a ticket, and get on a train within 15 minutes headed back to Dijon. For most of my day trips, I usually book return tickets, but since the fare was so cheap on the TER to/from Beaune, and the journey so short, I felt that I could take a more “winging it” approach to my trains. I managed to spend a good six hours in Beaune, and that didn’t include any cave dégustations (wine tastings), wine tours, or any time spent eating so it’s definitely a worthy day trip from Dijon. I found that arriving early in the morning was nice because things were much quieter before lunch time (although it didn’t become massively crowded or anything after lunch), and I almost felt like I had the city to myself! It also meant I was able to do the things that close for lunch before they closed, and then spend the lunch hour(s) doing the things that remained open. Regardless of when you choose to arrive in Beaune, there’s the perfect amount to do (in my opinion) so that you don’t have to get up early and stay super late to be able to do everything, but you can still pace yourself and enjoy the city.

Vineyards in Beaune — Enjoy this blurry, self-timer taken photo of me in Beaune!

Things to do in Beaune

Maison des Climats

Located: in the Tourism Office (6 Boulevard Perpreuil, 21200 Beaune)
Hours: 10:00-12:30/14:00-17:00
Price: Free

Musée du Vin de Bourgogne

Located: Rue d’Enfer, 21200 Beaune (if you go up Rue d’Enfer, it’s actually back behind in a little alleyway, at least, that’s how I found it)
Hours: 10:00-13:00/14:00-18:00
Price: 5,80€/3,80€ for students (includes entrance to the Musée des Beaux-Arts)

Hôtel-Dieu

Located: Rue de l’Hôtel Dieu, 21200 Beaune
Hours: 10:00-19:00
Price: 9,00€

Parc de La Bouzaize

Located: Avenue du Parc, 21200 Beaune
Hours: 8:00-18:00
Price: Free

Basilique Notre-Dame

Located: Place du Général Leclerc, 21200 Beaune
Hours: 8:00-19:00
Price: Free

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Located: in the Tourism Office (6 Boulevard Perpreuil, 21200 Beaune)
Hours: 10:00-13:00/14:00-17:00
Price: 5,80€/3,80€ for students (included in ticket for the wine museum)

Sign in the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune with artwork wearing a mask — Even the artwork in the Hôtel-dieu is with the times and masking up to stay safe!

Packing for TAPIF

On September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 By notyouravggiraffeIn France, TAPIF, Travel2 Comments

One of the bigger stressors when it comes to doing TAPIF (or moving abroad for any period of time, like study abroad), is packing. There’s always a mild panic of have I brought too much? or have I brought too little? or what if I forget some oddly specific thing that can’t be bought where I’m going?? This is now my third time packing for a lengthy stay abroad, so I’d like to think myself an expert (or at least, someone with some experience… maybe expert is giving myself too much credit). For that reason, I thought I’d write about the tips I have for packing in preparation for TAPIF, and how to make the most of your (potentially) limited luggage. This post is a bit long so feel free to scroll down to the bottom this of the post to go to my packing list!

Every time I’ve had to put together my suitcases for my journeys abroad, my packing list has gotten shorter and shorter. I’ve learned what I actually need, what’s nice to have, and what absolutely isn’t a necessity (I brought Wellies with me when I studied abroad and wore them ONCE. They’ve never come with me since, even though I love them). The last time I did TAPIF, I travelled with a large checked suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack. Even having done the packing debacle before I did TAPIF last time, I still ended up bringing things I didn’t wear, AND managing to forget things that might’ve been important. I’ll be traveling with the same luggage restrictions this time around (with a 20kg limit on my checked bag). Fingers crossed I get it slightly more right this time! You can bring more or less luggage, but remember that you’ll have to schlep everything you bring with you through the airport (possibly more than one if you have layovers), and carry it through all the transit you’ll need to get to wherever you’re placed. Only bring what you can comfortably carry/get by moving around with on your own.

Important packing tip: Make sure you put any prescription medication, along with emergency toiletries, and anything else you can’t live without or that is hard to replace (like your retainers) in your carry on! If the airline makes you check your carry on because of limited room, be sure to move those items into your personal backpack/purse!

What to pack

My general rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out how much to pack, is to first figure out your laundry cycle for clothes. Do you do laundry every week? Biweekly? Once a month? Then determine how many clothes you need for that amount of time and pack that, plus some extras (in case you travel for longer than your laundry cycle, or something happens). That’s a good estimate of what to bring, but of course, you can bring more or less, depending on how often you want to rewear clothes, and how fashionable you want to be.

The thing that always gets me, and takes up a ton of room, is shoes. I always bring too many pairs, and I have such an awful time deciding which ones to bring with me! Shoes definitely add a lot of weight, so you don’t want to weigh your suitcase down too much (most airlines have weight limits for checked bags, be sure to check them carefully before you set off to the airport, or you might have to pay for overweight bags), but it’s obviously personal preference how many pairs you want to bring. Think about comfortable shoes that you could walk in for a while if you travel, or if your bus stop is closed and you have to walk to the next one (true story, this did happen to me once). Flip flops are also good shoes to have as shower shoes for travel. I also recommend trying to stuff some socks/tights/small items into your shoes if possible to maximize space!

Another area of packing where you can reduce items is toiletries. Almost everything you use in your daily life toiletry wise can be found in France. This means you can save a lot of space by not packing a full carton (is it a carton?) of shampoo or a full tube of toothpaste to last you your whole contract. I usually bring a travel sized shampoo and toothpaste in my carry on in case I have my bags delayed, or in the case of France, can’t move into my permanent housing situation immediately. You’ll want just enough to tide you over until you can go to the shops/get settled, but you can buy most big name brands in France. The one toiletry I do bring with me is my face washes because I’ve gotten quite particular with my routine, and my skin always acts up when I switch it up – but that’s personal preference!

Random things to bring that might not have crossed your mind: laundry and lingerie bags. Makes washing easier and easy to transport (although a big grocery bag could also work if your closest laverie requires walking). Lingerie bags are great for keeping your socks together, and a potential necessity this year due to needing masks. Another thing: I also know assistants who brought spices/food items that aren’t available in France as a way to stave off the home sickness, but I personally rank this low on my packing priority list (to each their own, though)!

Clothes for different weathers

The first thing you should do once you have your placement (and you can even start this a bit after finding out your academie), is to look up the climate. Will you be in a mountainous region where it snows and gets quite cold during the winter? Are you in a temperate part of France where it might rain a lot? What will the average temperature be? Depending on what the average weather in your area looks like, you’ll want to pack the most clothes for that weather – keeping in mind the professional looking clothes you’ll need for teaching. Professional being jeans that aren’t ripped and clothes you’d wear as a “teacher”, but not so professional as to need a blazer or suit/tie combination. My rule of thumb is one step up from what the students would wear, but some schools are more lax/strict than others. Then, pack a couple of clothes for opposite weather. For instance, I’m bringing two pairs of shorts in case I visit somewhere warmer (assuming travel becomes possible), but no more than that since I won’t need them in Dijon! As a side note regarding shorts, women in France don’t seem to wear them – I’m not sure why, but it’s not something you see often, just as something to consider while packing!

Autumn/winter in France is not the warmest, so if you don’t have one, you’ll definitely want a warmer coat, preferably a waterproof one as well (or two separate coats, if you like). You can plan on investing in one once you get to France to reduce your packing load, but as I’ve already got one (that I bought in France ironically), I’ll be stuffing it into my suitcase. Bring scarves (or at least A scarf – scarves are very French so it’s a perfect way to blend in easily, but can also be bought in France), a hat, and a lightweight pair of gloves for potential early morning bus waits. My biggest packing tip for France is LAYERS. Bring clothes that you can layer, like lightweight shirts (t-shirts and long sleeved shirts), sweaters, cardigans etc… That way, you can mix and match depending on the weather, and don’t need entirely different outfits! Last time I did the program, my schools did not have great heating, so I was super thankful for my sweaters and layers (since wearing a coat in class is not comme il faut).

How to pack

The biggest packing hurdle is actually setting down to doing it. My first step is always to create a packing checklist (which I’ll post below), and to break it up into sections. I have four: toiletries, clothing, electronics, and miscellaneous (which is segmented into paperwork and personal effects). You can also then further divide into carry on and checked bag, but I’m more of a “wherever it fits” kind of gal when it comes to packing. You can obviously make your own categories for what works best for you and your packing style, this is just the way that makes the most sense on paper for me!

I kind of vaguely start the packing process pretty early, but don’t really dive into the real packing until like a week before I leave. I have a box set aside in my room where anything that isn’t clothing (mostly toiletries) that I’m definitely taking goes, and it’s grown slowly bigger over the past few weeks. That way, when it’s time to pack, I don’t have to do as much searching for various items. This is especially helpful if you’re buying toiletries/non clothing items for France so you don’t risk using them before you leave!

Another important packing tip: Use space bags! They’re a great way to reduce the amount of space your clothes take up. If you’re planning on staying in an AirBnb or temporary housing for a bit in France before moving somewhere permanently, I’d recommend dedicating a space bag for those clothes so you don’t need to undo and redo a bunch of space bags before you unpack for good. I also usually use Ziplock bags for underwear, bras, and socks as another way to reduce the space things take up in my suitcase. I do the Ziplock method for small trips as well, so definitely keep them in your suitcase after you unpack! Packing cubes can also come in handy for organizing and taking up less room, but they don’t reduce the space taken up in your suitcase as much as space bags.

I’ve always been told to look at everything you want to bring, and then reduce the amount by 50%, and that is how much you should take. I’ve never ascribed to that rule, necessarily, but I think it does showcase that you undoubtedly need less than you think you do. It’s a good idea while you make your checklist to think about what you’d wear if you weren’t abroad. I find that I tend to think I wear things more often than I do, and when I really think about it, I realize that a lot of the clothes in my closet don’t need to come with me because I don’t wear them that often here – why would I wear them often in France? Some questions to ask yourself might be: Do you really wear that sweater you’ve put on your list that often? Are you planning on going out enough to warrant multiple outfits for it? How easily can you wash that outfit? (this one is important if you’ve got a lot of dry clean only clothes… do you want to be searching for a dry cleaner if something happens to your favorite dress?)

I do want to stress that you should bring clothes that make you feel happy and clothes that you think you’ll wear. If it’s something that you might wear once or twice if a special event happens, it might be worth rethinking that, especially if it takes up a lot of space. However, if it makes you happy, and confident, and you want to wear it, go for it! I bought a new pair of dungarees over the summer and I’m bringing them because I can’t WAIT to show them off, and have an excuse to wear them. I think packing for TAPIF is finding a balance, because (in normal years, who knows with the current health situation) you won’t be in the classroom 7/7/24 and you might want to switch some things up while you’re there. Sometimes it’s worth having a pile of “if there’s room” clothes off to the side while you pack. If you put everything you definitely need/want to bring in your suitcase and have some extra room/pounds to spare, start pulling from that pile. This is also a good way to determine what clothes you could potentially live without in France.

My Packing List

As promised, here are my packing lists divided into categories for reference. Obviously you can add or remove based on what fits your needs, but if you’re trying to figure out where to start, hopefully this can be a somewhat helpful guide! Since I haven’t actually packed yet, this is all subject to change, but this is at least what’s on paper for me right now. I’ll start with my generic list of clothes:

Clothing I plan on packing

Shirts (long sleeve, and short sleeve. Since Dijon isn’t the warmest climate, I prioritize long sleeve, and only bring 3-4 short sleeve shirts)
Sweaters (three sweater tops that I wear as shirts, a crew neck sweater as an outer layer, a North Face sweater as another outer layer, and a sweatshirt)
Zip up vest
Cardigans (2-3)
Jeans (I usually bring 3-4 pair, but I live in them so that’s why)
Dress (I pack one in case I ever feel the need or desire to dress up)
Bras (sports and normal)
Socks (at least two weeks’ worth of pairs because one always gets lost in the dryer at some point)
Tights (1-2 pair)
Underwear (again, my estimate is two weeks’ worth)
Pajamas (I usually pack at least two pair: one pajama shorts and one pajama pants. Especially a pair I feel comfortable wearing in a hostel type travel situation)
Bath robe (because I am a little bougie at times)
Thermal underwear
Scarves (I have two: a heavy winter one, and a lightweight spring one) + hat + pair of gloves
Coats (rain coat and peacoat – can be bought in France to save room)
Work out shirts (I bring 2-3 tank tops, and 2-3 t-shirts. Enough for a week of working out every week day and some to spare).
Work out shorts/leggings (I only bring one pair of Nike shorts, and one pair of Primark leggings since I’m not the hardest work out person)
Shoes (number of pairs to be determined)
Dungarees (I have one pair)
Duvet (highly recommend NOT packing this if you don’t already have one. I bought one in France last time and since I already have several at home, it makes sense to try and bring it. No guarantees it’ll fit, though!)
Masks (a necessity for this year)
Lingerie + laundry bag
Single top sheet (France tends not to use top sheets and since I don’t fancy having to remove my duvet cover every week to wash it, I bring a top sheet so that’s all I have to wash)
Prescription medication that doesn’t fit in my toiletry bag (but still put in carry on suitcase)

Next, we have my packing list for toiletries. I’ve broken this up into what’s going into the checked bag and the carry on bag. Some things might have to be switched around depending on the size of things you want to take because of TSA restrictions, but again, it’s a rough guide. I have a large toiletry bag (soft shelled) where I store all of the checked toiletries, and a smaller bag that fits in my carry on so that they can easily be stored in my suitcase (and used for shorter trips). For any toiletries that have a screw on lid that aren’t sealed, I usually put some clingfilm/saran wrap over the top before replacing the lid – that way it won’t spill all over your bag!

Toiletries (checked bag)	Toiletries (carry on)
• Electric toothbrush + charger	• Toothbrush
• Flossers	• Retainers
• Deodorant	• Travel toothpaste
• Lotion/Aquaphor	• Razor(s)
• Hairbrush + hairties + bobby pins	• Chapstick
• Face wash (2)	• Travel shampoo
• Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen/Motion Sickness Pills	• Travel soap
• Nail clippers + nail file	• Prescription medication
• Thermometer	• Travel sized lotion
• Hand sanitizer	• Travel hand sanitizer
• Retainer cleaner
• Hairspray (I have an anti lice spray I like to use when working in schools – by no means necessary)
• Neosporin
• Starter pack of bandaids
• Airborne (because I’m paranoid)
• Perfume (not a priority, but if I have room, it reminds me of home)
• Extra chapsticks

Toiletry packing tip: Bring painkillers from the US. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be harder to get in France (just because they aren’t over the counter), tend not to be as strong in my experience, and come in smaller packets. If you’re someone who uses these OTC medications, or just likes to have them in your purse, bring a decent supply with you, since the availability in France may not suit your needs!

After those necessities are packed, I have a list for electronics. Most of these go in my personal backpack that comes with me on the plane, but since there are so many cords these days, it’s helpful to write them all out, so here they are!

Chargers
- Phone/iPod
- Laptop
- Headphones
- Fitbit
Headphones
- Apple headphones (2 – one pair for iPod, one for iPhone since the docks have CHANGED)
- Wireless noise cancelling headphones for the flight
iPod
Laptop + case
Adapters (This one is my favorite because it has USB ports, multiple outlets, and even has a nightlight, but any will do. I usually bring at least two – the big one and then a smaller one that’s more suited for travel)
Extension cords (this can also be purchased in France, but I highly recommend investing in an extension cord with a French plug. It will make it so much easier to plug multiple adapters into one source of electricity, especially if where you live doesn’t have a ton of outlets. It will also let you have more freedom regarding where you move your plugs! Again, I’ve bought one already hence my packing it, but you can – and should – purchase it in France. This will undoubtedly go in my checked bag)

Finally, I have my list for miscellaneous things. This is my list for anything that doesn’t fit in my above categories, but that I feel I’m likely to potentially forget (or that I just want to check off to have a sense of accomplishment with it).

Journal
Paperwork for France (I have a folder dedicated for France paperwork)
- Arrêté de Nomination
- Birth certificate
Photos (both personal for decorating my living space and ID photos)
Glasses
Covid-19 Test (hopefully unique to 2020)
Passport(s)
Wipes for the plane
Face shield
Masks for the plane (separate from the ones going into my suitcase)

That’s what I use as my base line for packing! If you made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope it was somewhat helpful and offers some guidance when it comes to packing for TAPIF. Remember, you can always buy items of clothing/most things you might need in France if you forget them/find you need something you didn’t bring! Let me know if I forgot anything, or if you have any questions about packing for an extended period of time abroad!

Musicals to help cure your wanderlust

On August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 By notyouravggiraffeIn Travel3 Comments

I’ve always loved traveling, but after being stuck at home (for good reason), the idea of going somewhere new and exciting is even more alluring than it was before – provided it is safe to do so. I’m well aware that even if I am able to get to France (I’m cautiously optimistic, but trying to keep my heart calm), while travel may be possible, it will most likely look different, and might not be a recommended activity. With all that in mind, I’ve been using music as a much needed distraction and escape for myself lately. Being the theatre person that I am, this has called for a lot of musical listening, and I thought I’d share the musicals that have been curbing my wanderlust (at least for the time being)!

Mamma Mia!

Here I go again… not only does this classic musical take place in Greece, but the music just makes you feel like you’re on holiday! Whether you’re singing “I can still recall, our last summer” to yourself as you wallow in the fact that who knows when your next adventure will be, or jamming out to “Waterloo” (how could you not), this musical is filled with bops and songs that will have you smiling in no time. Not to mention, dreaming of a vacation to Greece to recreate all the scenes (I’m looking at you, snorkel boys). If I had a little more “Money, Money, Money,” I’d be drinking down by the beach, being a “Dancing Queen” from dawn ’til dusk (okay, maybe not, but I do love being a dancing queen at all times of the day). Greece is definitely on my travel bucket list, and this musical bumped it up a few pegs for me, solely so I can live out some Mamma Mia dreams.

How I’ll feel when we can all live out our travel dreams again

Amelie

I’m (hopefully) headed to France in a couple of months, so this one just makes sense! You can envision yourself wandering the streets of Paris with this soundtrack, and while “times are hard for dreamers,” picturing yourself drinking un café au lait on the cobblestones near the Seine, is a perfect little day dream (and a way to get through some days). Another, slightly less fun musical set in France? Les Miserables. While it may not have you smiling and envisioning an idyllic French life, you can see where the French get their (heart full of) love for their country, and it’ll make you want to do the same!

Annie

Leaping Lizards! Not only does this musical have an entire song dedicated to the city of NYC and its grandeur, but the iconic belting number “tomorrow” is the perfect one for looking on the bright side of any situation. Not to mention, the overflowing optimism of Annie herself is something to want to emulate and it’s always worth remembering that “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.” While we may not be able to literally visit “Easy Street,” this musical certainly makes me want to walk around Times Square and be part of the “whole world (that) keeps coming” to NYC.

Mary Poppins

This soundtrack is “practically perfect,” in every way. From the British accents that make you want to move to Cherry Tree Lane immediately, to the jovial classic of “Chim Chim Cher-Ee,” the songs are sure to bring a smile to your face. “Feed The Birds” will have you longing to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and Mary’s disposition will have you firmly believing that “anything can happen if you let it.” Whether you listen to the classic Julie Andrews soundtrack, or the original London cast recording, you’ll be transported and wanting to “step in time” down the streets of London within a few songs.

Oklahoma!

Wanderlust doesn’t have to mean traveling across the globe – you can still visit some great places in your own backyard (I speak as someone from the US). For that reason, a great musical for curing your American wanderlust is Oklahoma! The clue is in the title alone with this musical, but the pride with which the characters sing about their home state might just have you wanting to hitch a “Surrey with the fringe on the top” all the way down South. Anytime “The Farmer and The Cowman,” comes on, it’s hard to not just dance, and not want to attend a barnyard function. Even if you have no knowledge of the state itself, this soundtrack might just make you want to swing by and visit!

How fun does this look??

42^nd Street

Another musical that’ll make you want to visit New York, and specifically Broadway. While Broadway is closed for now, I can’t help envisioning what it’ll be like to go sit in a theatre again, and to watch beautifully choreographed numbers sung by phenomenal singers. The second the overture starts, I’m picturing myself watching the show, or even performing it myself! The “lullaby of Broadway” is enough to make you want to buy tickets to your nearest live performance immediately, but 42^nd Street, on the whole, will also make you want to buy a pair of tap shoes and “shuffle off to Buffalo” (or your nearest fun place to visit).

Sound of Music

Every song in this musical will have you wanting to head to the Alps, and say “so long, farewell” to wherever you’re living now. The Oktoberfest vibes from “Lonely Goatherd,” and the serene encouragement of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” might lead you to wanting to pack up your bags much like Maria did. Just the opening swell from “The Hills are Alive” is enough to make you want to run through any field of grass, and to have the joy that comes with exploring a new place. Austria is also on my list of places to visit so I can attempt to recreate the high note scene in “Do-Re-Mi” (even if I can’t actually hit that note).

Can you imagine twirling through the grass in the Alps? The dream

There are definitely more musicals out there to cure your wanderlust (or at least, to appease the desire to travel for the time being), but these are ones that stood out for me. Let me know if you have any other recommendations or if I missed any! I’m off to jam out to some good tunes and daydream about when we can travel again.

Spending almost a full day in Aruba

On October 26, 2019October 26, 2019 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

Our final port of call on this 16 day cruise was Oranjestad, Aruba. Luckily, we got 11 hours in this port, so it felt like we had so much time, as it was several hours longer than our other ports of call. We arrived around 7 in the morning and we proceeded off the ship around 9:30. We stepped out into an already warm day, but thankfully with less humidity than our previous ports. We walked along the first main road, filled with jewelry stores and along the coast before turning inward (slightly, the island isn’t too big) to find the Jewish center on the island. It wasn’t open, unfortunately, but I’m glad we found it, and were able to see it. Plus, we had some beautiful views en route, even if we roasted while getting there.

Since we had an afternoon excursion booked, we headed back to the ship for a quick lunch via the main street. Oddly, there didn’t seem to be much open, and what was there, were stores that can be found throughout the world. I was a little disappointed not to find more local stores or eateries, but perhaps we weren’t looking in the right area.

Following a quick lunch, our afternoon tour entitled “natural wonders of Aruba” began at 13:05. We boarded a bus, and set off for the Butterfly farm. Along the way, we were told all about the country, and shown more of the beautiful beaches associated with Aruba. The Butterfly farm was our first stop, and it was a very enjoyable one. We were allowed 45 minutes (which wasn’t nearly enough time), but in that short time, we learned a lot about butterflies. We were given a small “tour” where a guide told us about butterfly life cycles, how the farm creates the environments needed for butterflies to thrive, how butterflies can get hammered off of fruit, and about the various colorful insects they have living at their farm. After the talk, we got to wander the farm and look at all the butterflies! There were so many to see, flying all over, and in such beautiful patterns that I’ve never seen before. Some of them barely held still long enough for a photo!

After all the fluttering wings, we took off to the Aloe Factory, and got to learn all about Aloe (this was a very informative day). Aloe isn’t native to Aruba, but it is now grown there and through the factory, used to create the classic sunburn reliever, but also lotion, soap, gel, shampoos, etc… we got to see the factory in action, while learning about all the properties of the plant. We of course went back to the ship with some aloe goodies!

The Aruba aloe factory and its aloe plants

Our final stop on this tour was to the natural bridge. Unfortunately, it collapsed naturally a few years ago, so you can only see the remnants, but it’s still so picturesque and serene. We only had 15 minutes here so it was mostly just picture taking, but it was definitely a sight worth seeing.

Our tour ended as we pulled back into the cruise terminal around four hours after our journey had started. With our final few hours in port, we rode the local trolley down and back on its final ride of the day. It headed into the town center, and we got to weave through the traffic of cars both on and off the trolley tracks (yes, we did veer off to let another one pass). It was a fun way to end our Aruba experience.

Unfortunately, by boarding the ship in Aruba, I’ve boarded it for the last time before disembarking in Miami following two at sea days for the final time. It’s been quite the voyage and I’m certainly glad I was able to visit the places I was able to visit. As I said, our last two days are at sea, which should allow ample time for last minute explorations, and let’s be honest, packing. It’s time to go back to reality now!

Transiting the Panama Canal

On October 24, 2019 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

After two days at sea, our third was really a canal day as we spent the bulk of the time transiting through the Panama Canal. Our journey began last night when we anchored outside the canal for refueling. That was a decent and lengthy process, but meant that we had a stable ship all night!

We got up a little after 5:00 to be sure not to miss any of the crossing (although we did miss going under the Bridge of the Americas). We entered the first lock of the Cocoli lock a little after 6am, and it took us until after 11 to get out of it. Within the big lock, there are three locks where the water gets progressively higher. I’m not sure why it took so long and we got held up, but the process did take a while. It was interesting to watch the locks open and close, and observe the water level rising. We had a tug boat in front and behind us guiding us through. The ship opened up the crew area up front to have as a place for viewing so it meant that we could watch the locks opening from there, and closing from the aft side as well!

The day before the transit, I participated in a poster making event to celebrate the inaugural crossing of this particular ship. I opted to decorate mine with a Finding Nemo theme, and got to take some photos with it in front of the canal today. It was a fun way to celebrate the event, and to take home a personalized creation!

Taking inspiration from Disney to celebrate an inaugural Panama Canal crossing

As we exited the Cocoli locks, we were greeted with flashes of lightning and thunder, which quickly turned to rain. Luckily, we were into the lake section, so we felt we could retreat to the inside of the ship momentarily. It made a difference from the blistering sun from the morning, but it kept the 90%+ humidity up throughout…

One of the many bridges under which we sailed

Around 3:30, we began entering the second set of locks: Agua Clara. Unlike the Cocoli locks, this set descends into the Atlantic Ocean/Caribbean Sea. In three locks, the ship descended the 80m it had risen initially, to meet back up with the body of water on the other side. The three Agua Clara locks moved much quicker than the Cocoli locks, and by 6:15 in the evening, we had transited the entire canal. We managed to do it entirely in sunlight, which meant we could see the whole process, which was pretty cool.

It’s pretty neat to be able to say I’ve crossed the Panama Canal now, and have gone from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean almost as fast as I could by plane, but by water. We now sail onto Oranjestad, Aruba as our final destination on this cruise!

A day in Guatemala

On October 20, 2019October 20, 2019 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

Our day at sea took us from the coast of Mexico, all the way to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala. When we got off the ship, we were greeted by a tourism office where we got our passports stamped, along with our own worry dolls and traditional lucky bracelets. It was exciting to get a passport stamp since usually you don’t get that during cruises. Since the city is primarily a docking place, we decided on an excursion to Antigua. We opted for “Antigua on your own” so that we could have free reign of our time once we arrived.

Antigua is located about 90 minutes from Puerto Quetzal so we boarded our bus and off we went! It ended up taking us almost 2.5 hours because of traffic and construction backups, but we eventually arrived. Antigua is at 5000 feet so the mountain climbing, combined with the fact that the big buses aren’t allowed in the city, means that the journey in certainly takes some time. We pulled up to the Jade Museum and Factory before setting off on our three hours’ free time. The town is full of people selling things on the roads, as well as colorfully painted walls.

Our first stop on our self-led walking tour was to Casa Santo Domingo. What used to be a monastery, has now been turned into a hotel that tastefully (and beautifully), surrounds the ruins. There are Macau’s perched on branches throughout, and the hotel looks very nice. In addition to the ruins, you can visit a fine chocolate store, a silver museum, and a church. It’s a beautiful space and well worth a visit if you’re in town.

From there, we walked four blocks (blocks in Guatemala seem sizably bigger than in the US) to the Central Parque before walking a bit more to the Santa Catalina Arch. The street was pedestrian as it was Saturday, so it was pretty easy to walk along the way on either side of the arch.

We wandered into a small textile marketplace on the way up to La Merced. We stopped in the church momentarily, before once again heading off in a new direction (we definitely did our fair share of walking in Antigua). We ventured towards the market but by the time we got there, we were a little close for time to spend a lot of time there, so we opted for the Central Park as our last stop. There’s a nice fountain in the middle of the park, and I can never pass up a good fountain! We left Antigua just as it started to rain, so it was all around perfect timing.

The journey back was thankfully shorter than the journey in, so we had some time to browse the handicraft market located on the pier before getting back on the ship. I love all the colorful things you can buy, and seeing all the options of color patterns.

The evening’s entertainment was a performance by Bernadett Nyari, a violinist from Hungary. She performed some great songs and it was a fun time, especially as I’m not usually a person who actively attends musical performance. A simple dinner was all we needed after a 12,000 step day. We now begin four at sea days, where one will include the transit of the Panama Canal!

Cliff divers and rain in Acapulco

On October 19, 2019October 19, 2019 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

Following a day at sea, we arrived into Acapulco at 7 in the morning. The skies were gray with some sprinkles as we disembarked, getting ready for our excursion of “historic, picturesque, and cliff divers” (I know, the title doesn’t totally make sense but that’s what it said on my ticket). We boarded our bus and set off for La Quebrera to see some cliff divers.

Unfortunately, the rain picked up while we were driving to our destination so when we stepped out of the bus, we definitely got wet. The cliff diving show is all outside with little cover, so we had to let ourselves get progressively more wet as the various divers took off from the cliff in the distance. We watched around seven divers flip, pike, and dive off the cliff into the water, and all of them definitely felt slightly dangerous. It was fun to watch a show of the diving, even if it was raining pretty heavily…

We were ushered into a nearby store for some shopping and drinks, which was welcome if only for the reprieve from the rain.

After drying off, we reboarded the bus, which took us to the Old section of Acapulco, and the San Diego Fort. It’s a star shaped fort, complete with several artifacts from the deep pirate history that affected the fort. The fort also contains the historic museum of Acapulco, so you can learn about the area as well.

Our last stop was to leave the old area of Acapulco, and head to the new quarter. It’s there that the million dollar houses are located with the million dollar views, in a place called las brisas. We had to get off the bus to get on smaller vans to get us up the steep hills which took us to the chapel of peace. Just outside houses a beautiful view of the bay and we could even see our ship!

We drove back to the pier where the sun briefly showed its face as we got back on for lunch. There was a mariachi band playing during lunch as well, which was fun to watch. I participated in the daily trivia of famous places, and managed to get 17/20! No prize this time but I still quite enjoy participating in them.

The evening’s entertainment was a performance of Footloose! It was a sold out show, and a lively one at that. Being the theatre nerd that I am, I can’t complain about getting to see a show while on holiday, especially one with so much dancing. Dinner was at the speciality restaurant: Q, Texas Smokehouse. It’s a country style BBQ place with many meat, potato, and typical bbq options. It was absurdly filling, but it all tasted good.

Even with a large amount of rain. I still had a great time in Acapulco. We embark on another day at sea tomorrow before arriving in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala! I’m excited to visit a new country for me and to experience the city of Antigua.

P.S. does anyone have any helpful tips for stopping bug bites from itching??

Soaking up some sun in Mazatlán

On October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

The third port of call of Mazatlan has been the hottest and most humid so far. Stepping off the ship was like stepping into a wall of steam. It was an early start with our excursion meeting at 8:15am. Even with a bit of a delay, we were still off the ship before 8:45am, and getting herded onto a “taxi” to take us through the dock (an under five minute ride but we weren’t allowed to walk it). As soon as we exited the pier, our excursion of “walking tour of Old Mazatlan” began.

We took a taxi from the pier to the starting point of our tour: the cathedral. The stained glass inside represents the colors of Mexico, plus yellow for the Vatican. It’s a fairly simplistic interior, but of high importance to the town, so worth a visit if you’re in the area.

We walked from the cathedral to a large market nearby, complete with stalls for souvenirs, produce, and various kinds of meats. Mazatlán is the number one tuna producer in Mexico so it stands to reason that the sea-life section was full of several different kinds of fish in large quantities. It was a bustling place, but I’ll say that the heat made it a little uncomfortable.

As the day heated up, so did our walking. We next arrived at the Angela Peralta Theatre, a beautiful theatrical building both inside and out. Plus, it had AC! Taking our reprieve from the heat, we also got to stand on stage and imagine how a full theatre would be during an operatic, or cultural, performance.

The second facade of the outdoor lobby at the theatre

From the theatre, we sweated our way to a store with an open bar for us (one water, soda, beer, or margarita) on the malecon. It was a jewelry store so our 20 minute break was mostly spent outside in a shaded alleyway trying to avoid the heat (I know I keep mentioning the heat, but I truly can’t do it justice, I think I sweated out my entire being multiple times).

After our brief refreshment, we idled down the malecon (boardwalk) in full sunlight towards more views of Mazatlan Bay. We got to watch some cliff divers before walking to our final meeting point: a restaurant where we waited for a taxi to take us back to the ship.

Colorful houses along the streets of Mazatlán

We arrived back at the pier and due to the ever increasing heat, we opted to just stay onboard. Since we had time before our departure from port, we tested out the pool. That, of course, included the two water slides onboard. The Aqua Racer is the more calm of the two, being an inner tube slide that takes you down one floor through lighted tubing. I found it a little tame, but an enjoyable descent. The Ocean Loop, however, is much more intense. You begin standing vertically waiting for the platform beneath you to drop out from under you, hurtling you through the slide out to the end all in under five seconds. I did this one twice but I’m not sure if I’ll return to it, it was a little too much for me but I can see how for more intense thrill seekers this would be one to do as many times as possible! When the sun is out though, it’s absolutely lovely to sit out on the deck, or in the pool. Be sure to wear shoes when walking though as the deck gets quite hot in the sunlight!

After such a busy day, a chill evening was well welcomed. We participated in a British Icon trivia, but didn’t fare too well considering some of the icon’s were from several centuries ago and I couldn’t identify them from photos alone! Tomorrow is an at sea day before our last Mexican stop: Acapulco!

Not Your Average Giraffe

Category: Travel

Flying back to the US