So, I can't believe I might do this, but I am probably going this summer to Paris with my mom on just a girls trip for the two of us! Eeeek!

I am good about traveling, but this pushes it to a whole new level (leaving the US), and I am TERRIFIED to fly. I literally drive on most vacations. When I must fly, I do, but I always swear it is the last time because the flight is always bumpy and freaks me out! I always tell myself that the destination is worth the fear -- I can count the number of flights I have made on 2 hands: Maui, Alaska, London, Aspen, New York, Florida, Boston, Vermont. That could be it! I know that everyone tells me to just take some xanax when I fly (and I have done that), but it barely takes the edge off for me. And I know that statistics show that nothing bad will happen, but STILL.....My friend, a doctor, pointed out to me is that the fear is actually the loss of control of our own situation (because she used to feel this way also). Very true....

So, why Paris? Well....my mom turned 70 last summer. Mom has never been to Europe and has only left the country on a couple cruises, that is it. She is a very young 70 and full of energy and spice. My younger brother wanted to send her and me to Paris last summer for her birthday, but I wouldn't do it. It wouldn't have been the responsible thing to do, because my father (91) had dementia (partial) and it was getting worse. He was more agitated if my mom or I were out of town, and the two of us were the ones he was with all of the time. So, as much as I wanted my mom to experience thr trip of a lifetime, I said no because of my dad.

Well, as you know, my father passed away last week. So, now my brother has revived the idea and we all want my mom to experience all the adventures she really couldn't these past 10 years. My brother has soooooooooooo many points saved, that he can actually get us lovely hotels in Paris based on his points and is even purchasing plane tix for us. So, it is essentially a free trip to Paris for a week! Can you imagine?! How can I say no to that? Of course, I could respond to that with such things as my kids will be without me for a week, I am afraid to fly, what if I get sick, what can I safely eat without being sabotaged, etc, etc.

Oh goodness. I would be stupid to let this trip pass me by!

Sounds like a lot of fun!  You deserve a nice vacation!

Do it!!

When I went to Paris (in 2002) I didn't know I had a mast cell disorder.  That being said... I think it's a pretty manageable city.  The buses and subways are great and there are lots of places to just sit around, eat cookies (or croissants... or crepes...), and watch people walk by  

I don't know if you would find this interesting or too creepy, but one of my favorite (and certainly most memorable) things to do in Paris was visiting the Catacombs.  It's underground, so it's nice and cool down there... and there are (English-speaking) guards constantly circulating to make sure people are safe.  If you can read Latin and/or French, it's an amazing place to reflect on the meaning of life.  There are beautiful poems carved into some of the stones.  To be honest, I was kind of spooked at first... then my friend said, "Heather, it's just like Indiana Jones."  And then I was fine... because Indiana Jones is my idol

Of course, there are plenty of awesome things to do above ground too.  Shopping... sitting in parks... the Louvre... Sainte Chappelle... Notre Dame... getting ice cream at Berthillon...  The "Museum of the Arab World" is also very cool if you like architecture and art.

I've become more cautious about travel, but Paris is definitely one place I could see myself returning too!

Heather