Comments on: How NOT to Decide Where You Want to Travel; or Why I’ve Never Been to Paris http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/ Why Wait to See the World? Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:19:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-14715 Steph Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:48:46 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-14715 Thanks so much! Glad you discovered me. Thanks so much! Glad you discovered me.

]]> By: Andrea http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-14585 Andrea Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:25:36 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-14585 Hi Steph, if you ever do make it to Paris some day, I will be happy to show you around, take you to the nice places where people can be friendly (nowhere near the Eiffel tower...). Great blog you have going here, found it thanks to a post from Paul @ CarpeDM in Quito (he and I were running buddies when I lived in Quito). Happy travels Hi Steph,

if you ever do make it to Paris some day, I will be happy to show you around, take you to the nice places where people can be friendly (nowhere near the Eiffel tower…).
Great blog you have going here, found it thanks to a post from Paul @ CarpeDM in Quito (he and I were running buddies when I lived in Quito).
Happy travels

]]> By: Katherine McKeon http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-14179 Katherine McKeon Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:53:21 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-14179 Just reading this now. I love that you have stood up to the travel snobs; the ones who tell you how many passport stamps they have, or remind you that their travels are more unique than yours ('Well I went to Chernobyl!'). Travelling is about your experience in a place as much as it is about the place, itself. Thanks for pointing out how stupid it is to let street cred influence where you go. Just reading this now. I love that you have stood up to the travel snobs; the ones who tell you how many passport stamps they have, or remind you that their travels are more unique than yours (‘Well I went to Chernobyl!’). Travelling is about your experience in a place as much as it is about the place, itself.

Thanks for pointing out how stupid it is to let street cred influence where you go.

]]> By: Tatiana http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-12382 Tatiana Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:22:26 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-12382 I love Paris, it's one of my favorite countries. And just like other expensive cities it can be done on a budget. And I've only had pleasant experiences with the people. I love Paris, it’s one of my favorite countries. And just like other expensive cities it can be done on a budget. And I’ve only had pleasant experiences with the people.

]]> By: Tom http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-12258 Tom Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:08:46 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-12258 Oooh crowds and jacked up prices make me cranky too haha! Sometimes I wonder, am I really only 24?? All my expat friends in the neighbourhood are off to the Boryeong Mudfest this weekend. The very thought of going on a bus and getting off-my-face drunk from 9am just makes me tired. Throw in a load of mud glooping up my gorilla legs, and I'm already sighing in exasperation. Sometimes I'll read posts where everyone has commented, "wow that sounds amazing!" but I'm like, "THAT SOUNDS LIKE HELL." There was one on another site recently (can't remember which one, oops) about stowing away on an iron ore train in Mauritania. Everyone was commenting about how fun it sounded - whereas to me, it sounded like living hell. Great post from the archives! :) Oooh crowds and jacked up prices make me cranky too haha! Sometimes I wonder, am I really only 24??

All my expat friends in the neighbourhood are off to the Boryeong Mudfest this weekend. The very thought of going on a bus and getting off-my-face drunk from 9am just makes me tired. Throw in a load of mud glooping up my gorilla legs, and I’m already sighing in exasperation.

Sometimes I’ll read posts where everyone has commented, “wow that sounds amazing!” but I’m like, “THAT SOUNDS LIKE HELL.” There was one on another site recently (can’t remember which one, oops) about stowing away on an iron ore train in Mauritania. Everyone was commenting about how fun it sounded – whereas to me, it sounded like living hell.

Great post from the archives! :)

]]> By: Lil'Fel Rocks the World http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-11739 Lil'Fel Rocks the World Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:43:45 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-11739 I'm a vintage, underground, authentic resto sort of girl, but despite my travels around the world, Paris is actually my favourite city ever. You just need to know where to look and hang out to not have the Louvre-Eiffel Tower trajectory as your main path. Anyways, if you ever make it there, check out my travel guide: Lil'Fel Rocks the World: Travel Guide for Poor, Hip Students (ps. i think we have similar blog missions..) I’m a vintage, underground, authentic resto sort of girl, but despite my travels around the world, Paris is actually my favourite city ever. You just need to know where to look and hang out to not have the Louvre-Eiffel Tower trajectory as your main path.

Anyways, if you ever make it there, check out my travel guide:
Lil’Fel Rocks the World: Travel Guide for Poor, Hip Students

(ps. i think we have similar blog missions..)

]]> By: Mathilde http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-11670 Mathilde Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:49:38 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-11670 In being a Parisian ( well, almost) I should feel offended I guess ... But I actually feel the same way as you do ! Parisians just ruin the place. But it is said that it is one of Paris charming parts .... (You may agree or not ^^) Your blog is on my top 3 model blogs. I'm a fan of your work ! Keep going on ! Best thoughts In being a Parisian ( well, almost) I should feel offended I guess … But I actually feel the same way as you do !
Parisians just ruin the place. But it is said that it is one of Paris charming parts …. (You may agree or not ^^)
Your blog is on my top 3 model blogs.
I’m a fan of your work !
Keep going on !
Best thoughts

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5197 Steph Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:32:31 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5197 Yes, people have different tastes and no place is one size fits all. It's important to know what you're looking for. Yes, people have different tastes and no place is one size fits all. It’s important to know what you’re looking for.

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5196 Steph Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:31:54 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5196 Okay crepes MIGHT be what convinces me to give it a shot! Okay crepes MIGHT be what convinces me to give it a shot!

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5195 Steph Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:31:38 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5195 excellent, glad to see it's not a unanimous vote excellent, glad to see it’s not a unanimous vote

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5194 Steph Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:31:18 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5194 Prague was not a favorite of mine either. and I find the Stands to be really intriguing so good luck with that! Prague was not a favorite of mine either. and I find the Stands to be really intriguing so good luck with that!

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5193 Steph Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:30:47 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5193 I'm sure it must have something great going for it the way people rave. I'm sure I'll mosey on over eventually. I’m sure it must have something great going for it the way people rave. I’m sure I’ll mosey on over eventually.

]]> By: Michael Tyson http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5185 Michael Tyson Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:45:21 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5185 Well said! I read an article the other day on "The Best UK Campsites". Two of them sounded like my idea of hell: "Buzzing with party people" and "DJs and bands get the crowd on to the dance floor" gaaah! Give me a quiet, picturesque field in the middle of the countryside and day! I also take the "you must go to this place" recommendation with a massive grain of sand. I always research these places online and 9 times out of 10 decide they're either over-rated or just not for me. Surprisingly this even applies to places locals say are a "must visit"! It's such an amazingly subjective thing. Once again, excellent post! P.S. I too did not experience the rude Parisian when I was there. Well said! I read an article the other day on “The Best UK Campsites”. Two of them sounded like my idea of hell: “Buzzing with party people” and “DJs and bands get the crowd on to the dance floor” gaaah! Give me a quiet, picturesque field in the middle of the countryside and day!

I also take the “you must go to this place” recommendation with a massive grain of sand. I always research these places online and 9 times out of 10 decide they’re either over-rated or just not for me. Surprisingly this even applies to places locals say are a “must visit”! It’s such an amazingly subjective thing.

Once again, excellent post!

P.S. I too did not experience the rude Parisian when I was there.

]]> By: alexis http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5184 alexis Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:25:39 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5184 Crepes with chocolate are probably the only thing I would go to Paris for. I was there for only a day, and I wasn't much of fan... Crepes with chocolate are probably the only thing I would go to Paris for. I was there for only a day, and I wasn’t much of fan…

]]> By: ayngelina http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5183 ayngelina Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:26:29 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5183 Funny, Paris is a nice city but it doesn't rank in my top 10 and if I never go there again I'd be okay with it. I love France but Paris didn't capture my heart. Funny, Paris is a nice city but it doesn’t rank in my top 10 and if I never go there again I’d be okay with it. I love France but Paris didn’t capture my heart.

]]> By: Katie http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5182 Katie Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:04:09 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5182 Interesting post. Having been to Paris twice, I concur with some of the other posters that it's a bit unfair to characterize Parisians as unpleasant. I found if I at least tried a few phrases of French, they responded very warmly. I have been places though that have completely underwhelmed me while coming highly recommended - Prague for one. Spent 2 days there and really felt like I had gotten my fill and have no big desire to go back. I loved Budapest much more. I also didn't care for Florence the first time I went, but returned several years later with a better understanding of its art and history and I appreciated it much more the second time around. I really get bothered when people question the places I do want to visit since most of my wish list now seems to off the beaten track. I recall posting a question about an obscure part of Kazakhstan in an LP forum and getting a reply saying "why on earth would you want to go there, there's nothing to see." Grrrr.... Interesting post. Having been to Paris twice, I concur with some of the other posters that it’s a bit unfair to characterize Parisians as unpleasant. I found if I at least tried a few phrases of French, they responded very warmly.

I have been places though that have completely underwhelmed me while coming highly recommended – Prague for one. Spent 2 days there and really felt like I had gotten my fill and have no big desire to go back. I loved Budapest much more. I also didn’t care for Florence the first time I went, but returned several years later with a better understanding of its art and history and I appreciated it much more the second time around.

I really get bothered when people question the places I do want to visit since most of my wish list now seems to off the beaten track. I recall posting a question about an obscure part of Kazakhstan in an LP forum and getting a reply saying “why on earth would you want to go there, there’s nothing to see.” Grrrr….

]]> By: Joel http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-5181 Joel Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:03:37 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-5181 Ha - nice article. And the points are all very valid, even if some may disagree with your personal examples. For me, that's how I've felt about India - everyone talks about how wonderful it is there, but I've just never had the inclination to go there (like you, "someday" but it's not high on the priority list). And to add to the Parisian-lovers, I can honestly say it's my favorite place on the planet. Every corner you turn, the architecture, the gardens, the music, the cafes, the icons jump out at you. I would absolutely stay there for a year if I had the right opportunity. Hell, I could sit on the steps at Sacre Coeur once a week and love it every time. My last couple blog posts (and a couple yet to come) give a few reasons why I love the city. Ha – nice article. And the points are all very valid, even if some may disagree with your personal examples. For me, that’s how I’ve felt about India – everyone talks about how wonderful it is there, but I’ve just never had the inclination to go there (like you, “someday” but it’s not high on the priority list).

And to add to the Parisian-lovers, I can honestly say it’s my favorite place on the planet. Every corner you turn, the architecture, the gardens, the music, the cafes, the icons jump out at you. I would absolutely stay there for a year if I had the right opportunity. Hell, I could sit on the steps at Sacre Coeur once a week and love it every time. My last couple blog posts (and a couple yet to come) give a few reasons why I love the city.

]]> By: Kaitlin http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-4105 Kaitlin Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:47:24 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-4105 I agree with Laura. I spent two and a half weeks in Paris last summer, and found people there to be quite friendly if you at least try to speak some sort of broken French to them. If you go in assuming they know english (event though many do), they won't take kindly to you, but in many cases even butchering an order at a restaurant in their native tongue would elicit a smile and a short tutorial n pronunciations (especially when the waiter was a twenty-something male). All in all, I loved Paris not just for the touristy landmarks, but for the culture its residents live in daily. The Eiffel Tower was great, and the Louvre amazing, but the simpler pleasures of stopping into a bakery to pick up a baguette, or walking down a cobbled street on a Friday night and suddenly being overtaken by a mob of rollerbladers are the things I would go back for. I agree with Laura. I spent two and a half weeks in Paris last summer, and found people there to be quite friendly if you at least try to speak some sort of broken French to them. If you go in assuming they know english (event though many do), they won’t take kindly to you, but in many cases even butchering an order at a restaurant in their native tongue would elicit a smile and a short tutorial n pronunciations (especially when the waiter was a twenty-something male). All in all, I loved Paris not just for the touristy landmarks, but for the culture its residents live in daily. The Eiffel Tower was great, and the Louvre amazing, but the simpler pleasures of stopping into a bakery to pick up a baguette, or walking down a cobbled street on a Friday night and suddenly being overtaken by a mob of rollerbladers are the things I would go back for.

]]> By: Steph http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-2570 Steph Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:13:20 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-2570 Hi Marc, I'm not saying Paris is a party hot spot or merely fashionable. I'm simply saying that it's a popular place to visit that I've never felt a lot of desire to go to. Personal choice and all that fun stuff. Hi Marc, I’m not saying Paris is a party hot spot or merely fashionable. I’m simply saying that it’s a popular place to visit that I’ve never felt a lot of desire to go to. Personal choice and all that fun stuff.

]]> By: marc http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/2009/09/how-not-to-decide-where-you-want-to-travel-or-why-i%e2%80%99ve-never-been-to-paris/comment-page-1/#comment-2566 marc Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:54:34 +0000 http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/?p=656#comment-2566 Paris is not "the fashion place" changing all the time like NYC places to be... Comparing Paris with "party hot spots" what a joke. Paris is not “the fashion place” changing all the time like NYC places to be…

Comparing Paris with “party hot spots” what a joke.

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