Aero: Christine Elizabeth – France 2015 – Travel

Aero: Christine Elizabeth – France 2015 – Travel
Creative Commons Image via The LEAF Project

Aero: Christine Elizabeth – France 2015 – Travel

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Christine Elizabeth

This was my third trip outside of the USA but my first international trip. I have previously been to Canada, and Dominican Republic. Though this was my first time traveling by plane for a loooong period of time. The other two trips I had taken to Canada and Dominican Republic were both a one shot trip, as in no layover or stops along the way, just a direct route to the destination. This time however there was a 2 hour flight to Philadelphia PA and once we arrived there was a 6 hour layover till our flight to Paris which would in return be a 8-9 hour flight. However, even before boarding any flight, we had to go through check in, baggage, security, and customs. Just to be able to enter the loading gate for our flight. Every time we needed to board a flight we had to go through these few areas in order to proceed along on our trip. Check in was fairly easy with lining up in a group and scanning our passports, getting our boarding passes printed out, and loading our baggage onto the conveyor belt. Security was a bit of a hassle but not too bad, just more tedious than anything I guess. We had to take off our earrings, shoes, belts, and place all of our bags and purses in a box and walk through the scanner to be x-rayed and scanned with a metal detector. Then once your through you have to grab your stuff and move over to the side or away from the scan area to put your shoes and stuff back on and grab your belongings. One of the things I liked and noticed a difference in the USA then France, was that the security people in the USA were very friendly, smiled and conversed a bit, even jokingly with the people going through the scanners. The security people in France were not like that, they were very quiet, serious, and did not smile nor converse with the patrons in the airport that were traveling. It made for a very cold experience arriving and leaving France.

In terms of packing, I learned to pack light and only what I needed. I packed clothes that were lightweight and flexible as well as they could be used in layers depending on the weather. Also I carried with me a backpack on the plane as well as used it while we traveled around France. In it were basic necessities such as, snacks, journal, pens, phone, money, scarf (which is so useful by the way, because it is a versatile object that can be used for warmth, protection from the sun, fashion, face mask, and can also be used as a parachute should your plane malfunction and you need to jump out the window :P). I will say however that later on I did choose to purchase a small sized saddle bag/purse that could carry all my necessities and yet was simple, fashionable and lightweight, because as you walk around the city a lot with a book bag on your back, even if there’s not much in it, it starts to take a toll on your back and causes strain, making you sore and tired. I would highly recommend NOT bringing a book bag, but rather a small saddle/messenger/purse bag so you can enjoy your travels much easier without hassle.

ML@FLCC France 2015 Flickr Photo Gallery

In Paris Travel was very easy, and very much like NYC where all you have to do is hop on the subway and you can reach your destination quick and with ease. We didn’t really get the chance to take a bus or taxi however I did see many present in the city. Most people though it seemed, within Paris, got around by either Metro, moped, bicycle, or just plain walking because the streets are soo narrow, and there is very few places to park. I really enjoyed walking around the city because it was so pleasant and there was always somewhere to go, something to see and food nearby. In Vitre however, we went there by high speed train, and once there, had to be chauffeured by our host families, because things were not within walking distance. There were a few buses and the Metro did stop right in Rennes but not Vitre.

I think I preferred traveling within Paris just because I found getting from one place to another easy with the Metro, so there was no need for a car. Traveling can be fun and beneficial to your career if you know how to pack right, are aware of the standard necessary procedures in the airport and are prepared for them, you can learn to travel well and pack light. That way when you need to travel for work, you know exactly what is expected of you in customs and the airport, as well as how and what to pack, making your journey that much easier and simpler in nature.

Christine Elizabeth
LEAF Contributor