There's a First time for Everything.

Since I've been home from Hendrix, that small little liberal arts school in Arkansas that I attend, I haven't been doing much of anything exciting.

But as always, there's been a lot going on. To earn money this summer, I've been work at my Dad's store in Foxboro, Ace Archers. We just opened the store in February so we're slowly building a client base and sometimes we will have days where no one will come in. It's pretty depressing but hopefully as time goes on, things will pick up.

Other than working, I've been preparing for France by reading anything I can get my hands on and joining millions of forums on the internet. Although I'm very nervous and feel really unprepared to live for a year in a foreign language and country, I know people who have gone to Europe for a few months with a single backpack and no knowledge of any foreign languages and they've been perfectly fine.

As for information, I've been assembling lists and links, books and blogs, and a group of worried parents. My parents must be very proud that I'm going abroad because every time someone comes into our store and I say I'm their daughter and can help them, they ask if I'm the one going to France next year.

Anyway, as for information on travel, I've been reading an older book I picked up at our favorite used book store last weekend named, First-Time Europe by Louis CasaBianca. It was published by Rough Guides in 1996, so a few things are outdated like converting currency between countries versus just the Euro and the ability to carry on all you need for two months in Europe on a plane (3oz rule?).

CasaBianca breaks down the book into 12 chapters and a section called "The Basics" where it just has lists of useful info and numbers (who knows if they're still right but it's worth a shot). It covers a lot of questions for general travel for a short term European vacation. And by vacation I mean for budget travel. Although it is meant for short term summer travel, there are still some really useful parts for us exchange students.

1- Planning. I know you want to travel while you're doing an exchange, who doesn't?
2- Budget. Surviving overseas on $5,000. Can it be done? I hope so...
3- Packing lists. These are definitely for the traveler but give some really good ideas for things you might have forgotten, like a first aid kit or a sewing kit. Everyone needs one of those. Also, CasaBiancia's two month packing list is probably all I'll be taking plus a few more things. I plan on buying clothes when I get there and taking a ton of shampoo and contact solution instead, as I hear it's very expensive.
4- A crash course in European travel. Yes, things have changed, along with all the measly low prices he quotes for travel expenses. Nevertheless, this gives the reader a good estimate on how to travel around in Europe. Channel crossing or Tunnel? Hum... Dover cliffs? Yes, please.
5- Accommodation. Where there is travel, there is sleeping. Always thought you could just sleep away in train stations on weekend breaks? Think again.


That's as far as I've gotten but there are some remaining sections on crime and what to see, along with getting home.

The best part of this so far is that it gave a really awesome suggestion for travel gear, like what backpack etc to bring. CasaBiancia writes, "You'll be happiest if you bring no more than what you can carry on the airplane: a large, well-made daypack or a small travel pack" (43). For us exchange students, that's not really possible on the way over, as we have to bring our lives with us on the first way over. But regardless, this minimalist thinking is a thing of which to be proud. Consider his advice wisely. Do you really need those high-heels on cobblestone streets in Paris? Probably not.

As for pack advice, he discusses internal frame packs, which have come a LONG way since this book was written. I had already bought my pack, thinking 60$ (sale at L.L. Bean) for a small pack that can fit what I need for a week was good. But now I'm thinking it might be a bit too big because I might not be able to carry it on a plane. I know on the way over I planned on checking it and taking a smaller bag on the plane with a change of clothes and documents and the like. Then just slipping it into one of my bags after getting them off the luggage carrel, I would be ready to go. I always wondered how to prevent my clips and ties and everything on my bag could stay protected.

I've seen so many people covering their bags in clear plastic wrap, covering it in tape, and writing all their information on the outside. I have no idea how reliable this is. But CasaBiancia suggests getting a box that fits around your bag and checking it that way. No worries of broken plastic wrap. Just throw the box away and you're good to go.

Now, to just measure my pack and see if it'll squish into a overhead bin...