Paris Primer I: Know Thyself

Every six months or so, I receive a variation of the same text message or Instagram DM: “My husband/parents/sister/cousin and I are going to Paris next month. What should we do while we’re there?”

This person eventually regrets asking me for help, because my method requires a more soul-searchy, “help-me-help-you” approach than most people probably anticipate when planning a vacation. For reasons so far unearthed from within me, I can’t bring myself to just say, “Here’s the list I sent to the last person who asked– feel free to do all or none of these, and godspeed!” 

Instead, I am immediately just as invested in this person’s trip as they are, whether or not we have seen each other in the last three years. “Is this your first time to Paris? What time does your flight land? What arrondissement are you staying in? Do you prefer modern or impressionist art? Do you have qualms with consuming dairy and gluten three times per day? What is your general “travel vibe?” (Everyone has one. If you didn’t know you have a travel vibe, unfortunately that’s your travel vibe.)

For the next hour or more, the only thing I care about is equipping this traveler with the information they need to succeed in Paris. Whether or not they enjoy Paris is now my responsibility. That’s normal, right?

What would Ernest Hemingway, the patron saint of Americans Staking a Claim on Paris, say to us about international travel?

Hemingway: The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.

Agreed, but actually Paris is pretty easy to figure out if you know what you’re doing. What’s more difficult? Navigating yourself – and those you’re with.

For more on this, read the next entry, on my travel philosophy.