First day in Paris

I had a severe case of writers block trying to put this post together. My first thought was to share all my favourite places and adventures with you, inserting a few lessons here and there but then I realised my block came from not being aligned with what I knew I needed to share with you, the biggest take-away from this experience; Trusting Your Intuition.

Most times when I share my story I find that persons are fascinated and reference my "bravery" for moving thousands of miles away from home to a place unfamiliar in every sense. I want to tell you now: brave is the last word I would ever use to describe myself or what I did. It was simply a matter of paying attention to synchronicities and being intuitive. What I mean by that is, I knew Paris was where I was supposed to go at that particular time and I knew at the end of the journey, turning the page meant going back home.

When I found out about the program something within told me to apply. I was not qualified by any means to even be considered for it. Even more so, the documents I needed to do it seemed impossible to put together at the time, but everything just came together by the grace of the divine. I had A LOT of second guessing and turmoil but then things like a random email with the subject line: 'WHY PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA" or seeing advice on my timeline at the exact moment I needed it like: "If its terrifying and amazing, do it." These little instances felt like more than simple coincidences to me. If I think back on it though I think the most instrumental thrust of all came while staying late after work to finish some stuff and feeling severely tired and unhappy and everything became so overwhelming I began crying uncontrollably. A coworker had forgotten something at the office and ended up coming back to find me, unable to speak (if you know me well you know this NEVER happens) only producing streams of tears and occasional head nods. When I got home that night, feeling exhausted and defeated, as soon as I stepped through my door I got an email notification with the subject line: CONGRATULATIONS. The program I was unqualified for chose me. I immediately packed my shit.

Final Day in Paris

Paris was amazing. It wasn't always easy as I shared in this blog post but I would move back in a heart beat. I had some truly intense moments that I'll hold dear to me forever and will always think of that city as my second home.

At the start of the 2017 I knew I had to begin thinking about the next step. I toyed around with the idea of staying a second year and seeing what else Paris had in store for me but soon I realized it was time to go home. Just like with going to Paris, all the "signs", so to speak, were leading me back to Jamaica. I tried so hard to ignored them but with constant disappointment and relentless roadblocks to every alternative to going home, I gave in. I didn't understand why and felt there was so much more to do and learn in Paris. That and, while I had an incredible experience and felt proud of myself for taking the leap,  coming home almost felt a bit like I had failed. For one, I came home in so much debt and also none of my "goals" were achieved even though if I am being fair, they were more of desires than goals since I was never intentional about making them real. Going back to uncertainty and no job and questioning why I even "wasted" a year in Europe almost consumed me in the first few weeks. I was physically sick almost everyday for one whole month after returning home.

As time went by I realised I only felt that way because none of my wins were tangible, and because my idea of a "win" was elaborate and borrowed. Then it dawned on me that all the true lessons I was supposed to gain from it could only come by uprooting and heading home where I would be able to see the contrast of who I had become; the growth, the drive, the gratitude, the purpose. I simply could not have had that level of clarity or appreciation had I stayed in Paris.

All of this to say that, sometimes in life we get clear signs whether its about a place, person, project or anything in particular and we overanalyse or try to find logic in the situation instead of simply trusting our gut. I know it is easier said than done, but its a feeling that when its there YOU KNOW IT. It is something that is only meaningful TO YOU. Understanding and knowing that when you do something or walk away from something because, in that moment your intuition told you to, is the only truth that exists. I learned that, following intuition doesn't mean you'll be lead into the magical world of perfection or smooth sailing but what it does is give you what YOU NEED to mature and prepare you for all the things that are coming, sometimes for the better or even for the worst. Regardless, your intuition is a gift. Going to Paris opened my eyes to that and there is no describing what this has done for me.

I am home now and it feels like I am starting from scratch. I'm slowly getting back on my feet financially, slowly coming into my own as a woman,  slowly figuring out my career and slowly navigating life as best as I CAN. I stress I CAN because I've learned from connecting more with my intuitive frequency that there is no shame in doing things on your own terms, even if it means that you're behind or in conflict with superficial standards. In closing, fxck external validation and look inward.

So, the first time I ever casually wore a skirt was in the 9th grade and it wasn't voluntarily. I say casually because every Jamaican school girl knows the uniform woes of skirts and tunics until you get to University life. I've never been a fan of skirts and barely know how to sit in them properly so give me a pair of denims or trousers and let's call it a day.

Except, here I am wearing a skirt. Let me explain. I want to say this is the result of an early onset of dementia caused by the heat but actually I got rid of all my clothes and I truly have nothing else to wear. I've been on a little quest to really define my style and it didn't feel anything like what I already owned so I've been collecting new pieces and experimenting a lot. Exhibit A:


I'm a simple girl and for me to feel the most like myself, my outfit has to be the perfect marriage of chic and comfort. My formula has always been: pants + button down + complementary nice shoes = easy. Living in Paris however complicated things just a bit and made me realize that even the easy going Parisienne changes it up once in a while.

I decided to remix my go-to formula and pair an Old Navy button down with a H&M denim skirt instead of jeans for a fool proof casual look. The H&M velvet sandals was an attempt to add a little finesse. These cactus earrings from Mango have been itching for a debut so I added them too for the fun of it.

When styling a denim skirt, I realized it's pretty easy to miss so whatever you choose, be smart about the silhouette. Anything that is cinched at the waist like a wrapped top or a blouse that is tucked in is recommended. Ive seen the cool fashion girls wear it with bell-sleeve blouses that look so GOOD! Personally, if I do wear this skirt again, it'll be with a Tshirt or a denim button down because, simple does it.

Fish Patty

 Needless to say, if you've never tried a Devon House Bakery premium patty, you absolutely must the next time the opportunity presents itself. As mentioned before, we also had banana bread which was divine. The bakery has a really good selection of classic Jamaican baked goodies that always taste homemade, and not to mention they are value for your dollar.

Rushane look: H&M Tee| Levi's Distressed Shorts| Tommy Hilfiger Espadrilles| Moved Watch

We're young and we need to be going places; exotic places, historic places, far places; pretty places; "I can die now that I've seen it" places. There is so much out there to see and taste and smell and learn and absolutely, we should make it a duty to ourselves, for the sake of our personal development and an expanded world view, to do it all! But, before you get carried away and head out to any of the "Must-See Destinations", my simple advice is; do your research to make sure they are "adventures I can afford" places.

Hampton Inn, Panama City

Accommodation

It's not that I want to stay at an all inclusive penthouse suite but it's just that I know comfort is non-negotiable when I travel, even when I'm on a budget. Once my friend and I wanted to weekend in Tuscany where we would divide our time between Pisa and Florence. WE WERE BROKE! We could only afford to do €50 per night so we decided to go with AirBnBs. We lucked out and got a pretty decent place for €45 per night in Florence. It wasn't in the centre but transportation was easily accessible (super important) and we got to the major sites in about 15 mins. Then, there was Pisa. For that same €45 per night, we were essentially shacking up in a  shithole. The place stank, the sheets were dirty and you had to say a prayer before entering the hellish - filth that was the bathroom. If you're anything like me i.e grew up with a pyscho-must-have-everything-super-clean-all-the-time mom then you have very little tolerance for certain things so believe me when I say, my anxieties had a field day!

Don't get me wrong, you can find decent places even on a tight budget. In fact, a few months ago I did a Europe tour in 8 different cities with 2 friends and we spent less than €1500 in total! Generally each person spent about €60 per night and we had a fairly good experience with them all. The trick: I usually start my search with Expedia, refining it based on desired budget. When I find a place I like, I then search for it on Tripadvisor and check the reviews to see what other travellers have experienced. For me, room conditions and proximity to local transportation were the key deciding factors. I went for Airbnbs in locations I planned on spending more days in so I could have access to a kitchen to cook some of my meals to save money. Airbnbs are a gamble so I (know now to) never book anywhere that has no reviews or less than 3 pictures.

Tuttelestrade BnB in Rome, Italy via AirBnB

Food
In theory this is supposed to be the easiest part, BUT ITS NOT! Actually, speaking from a pescatarian's point of view, life is a little more difficult when you're not eating meat. Having limitations with your diet is rough when you travel so thankfully there's an app or two to make things less stressful. On most days my travel companion has definitely been Foursquare (clearly I'm an old lady lol) and Yelp! Google Maps is also very helpful but out of habit I go directly to Foursquare because I can narrow my search based on what I feel for, how much I want to spend and ratings. I am very big on eating local fair, not only to get a taste of the local culture but also those tend to be on the cheaper side. These apps (generally) direct you to the best restos. Of course, you can always just ask a local but I'd definitely recommend downloading one of these apps for those meal dilemmas.

La Creme de Paris in Paris, France

Transportation
To check for flights, you can consult skyscanner.com to see the lowest priced tickets for your specific destination and date. You've heard it time and time again to book well in advance for the cheapest fares but budget airlines like RyanAir and Tui Airfly cut prices up to 2/3 weeks before travel date, so with these airlines you can hold out a bit. I think travel newbies like myself obsess over getting there and tend to overlook how to get around when we actually arrive. You absolutely do not want to forget to factor in on-ground transport. Find out before hand the best means for getting around your intended destination to have a proper daily budget. NEWS FLASH: Uber actually doesn't exist everywhere, not even in some European states. In many instances I did find thought that, when available, Uber was in fact cheaper than local taxis so always check those first. Some places will have train/metro day passes that are cost effective and give you unlimited access to commute. Google Maps actually has a feature where it tells you the general cost for bus, taxi and train to go from one place to another so you can always refer to that too. Google Maps can also be used to check the distance between where you are and where you want to go and if its 20 mins or less, save a dime and walk! This is the best way to discover things any.

Orlean, France

Activities
Of course, if your on a budget, you don't have much disposable funds to "DO THE MOST" Depending on your destination there are a bunch of free things to do, you just need to do research before hand to discover them. There are websites such as "timeout.com" where you can select a particular city and it tells you exactly whats happening in that area and very often some activities or events attract no fee. You can forego the long lines to enter the popular landmarks and simply take photos on the outside of the premises, unless you really really want to see something in particular on the inside. For discounts, book in advance or check the tourist board/ location website for combo deals. I would definitely advice checking Pinterest for destination guides as well so you can get insight on the most recommended things to do. Really, you don't need to go to every museum. Little things like renting a bicycle to explore, having a picnic in a famous park or just taking really long walks can make your trip a whole lot better!

Palais Royal, Paris

Also Noteworthy
There are actually a few websites like www.budgetyourtrip.com that allows you to estimate daily budgets by destination that you can use as a guide for the average amount you'll need to survive comfortably per day. Traveling with others is also a way to save since more often than not you will be sharing cost for things like transportation. You definitely want to travel light as luggage does attract extra fees so that is one way to save money as well. Overall, if you're doing budget travel I can't stress enough how important research is to truly get a feel of what you're getting yourself into. The only thing worse than not going somewhere you've always wanted to go is to go and have regrets when you leave because you didn't plan ahead. There are a few destinations I think should never be done on small budget just because by nature they are super expensive, *cough* Paris *cough* so be mindful of that when you're choosing your next adventure. Good Luck!

Of course no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican. I went to two Catholic high schools and even though I am not Catholic myself I was curious to see the Catholic Capital. It was as grand as I imagined, sometimes uncomfortably so but I was happy to have seen it in person. If I ever do go back it would be to see the Sistine Chapel. We had gone after lunch and after queueing for what felt like forever in the heat to see St. Peter's Basilica, we missed the cut off time to see the chapel so I advise you GET THERE EARLY! We might have missed the chapel but I was so happy to have found this little public water fountain outside the walls of the Vatican premises. Usually I would have NEVER drank from these things but I convinced myself it was holy water. LOL. I was thirsty. *facepalm* Anyhow, another "cool" thing about Vatican City for me was that the Papal guards, who I later learned are Swiss soldiers, wore costumes that could easily be used in Alice in Wonderland. They are as stoic as the English Buckingham Palace guards which was so ironic to me since they wear what I kind of imagine a king's jester would.

Before You Go
It would do you well to check the bus schedule of the line 24 bus especially if you plan on going on a Sunday or on a public holiday. This will also help you to time how long you will be able to stay in the town and plan activities accordingly within the time frame.

I suggest that you wear very comfortable shoes and clothes as to really enjoy the cliffs you will have to hike for about an hour (or more). Also, the beach is made up of small stones as opposed to sand so it might be easier to navigate in sneakers. Don’t forget your sunblock if you go late spring or during the summer season. 

Oh and if you’re anything like me pack snacks and water for the journey.

Of utmost priority and absolute essential to making this trip even more memorable, pack your camera! Etretat is so ridiculously beautiful, you will want to have evidence of your visit 1. for personal reverie and 2. to brandish on every social media platform (or in real life).

         
For kids, there are little activities on the dock like riding a carousel to keep them entertained for a while. If you’re up for more hiking, on the other side of the beach is a church perched on the top of a hill known as the Notre Dame de la Garde, even though I hadnt the time to make the trek, I'm sure it's also something worth seeing.


3 hours was simply not enough time to really enjoy the town so I didn't get to snap photos of the caves or church or other small town gems. Nevertheless, the little I did see warrants high recommendation. If you are in Paris and have a free day, you MUST visit Étretat. Whether it is with family (it’s dog friendly!), for a romantic day with your special someone or just an outing with friends who share an appetite for adventure, I promise you, it’s a Must-See!