Ever since I could remember, I dreamed of one day traveling around the world. This summer I was able to visit two European cities for the first time: London and Paris. While staying there for the summer, I was able to learn many new things about both countries and their culture. Getting off the plane, I can still remember the initial excitement of being in a new country on my own. Although it was a 10 hour flight, I was wide awake in the taxi that was taking us into the city of London. These memories will stay with me for a lifetime and so will the lessons I learned. Here’s a few lessons I learned in Europe:
1. weather can change instantly
Before leaving for my trip, I was constantly checking the weather to get an idea of what to expect and what kind of clothes to pack. Luckily enough, I packed enough clothes suitable for a variety of weather conditions. You could be out one rainy afternoon and 20 minutes later, you could only wish you could trade your umbrella for a fan. During my trip, sudden downpours were frequent, even on sunny days. Taking an umbrella everywhere was an absolute must. It was also helpful to have versatile outfits where you can easily take a warm layer off or put one on. Not being prepared can have you gambling against Mother Nature.
2. book ahead
When it comes to visiting any popular landmark, museum, or exhibit it’s always helpful to book a ticket ahead of time. You can wait a lifetime waiting to see a new country and all of the planned destinations you wish to see while there but you can also wait what feels like a lifetime waiting in line to get in. Many popular sites that attract attention can have lines with people waiting hours long. Wait times in line can often be reduced or eliminated by simply booking days before your visit. Personally, I had to wait three hours standing in line to get into the Louver in Paris. While it was definitely worth the wait, I could have shaved two to three hours off my wait time by purchasing my ticket in advance. Even if a place has free admission, many websites will take free bookings for visitors who wish to skip the line. Booking a ticket ahead of time also ensures you a time slot and a guaranteed ticket rather than risking them selling out, especially if your trip is brief.
3. save time for longer meals
In Europe, there’s hardly such thing as “grabbing a quick bite.” In fact, Europe prides itself on quite the opposite. If you were to look around in a restaurant in Europe, you’re likely to find groups of people leisurely hanging out and taking their time. Some groups can be there for hours talking, eating, and drinking. Meals are seen as an enjoyable activity where people revel in each other’s company. Meal times are a break from the business of one’s day where one can afford to slow down for a bit. If you find yourself in Europe with a group of people, it may be helpful to keep this in mind and to plan accordingly.
4. dress to impress
One of my favorite aspects of being in a new environment is experiencing new fashion. Cities like London and Paris are a fashion lover’s dream come true. Here you can see an array of styles ranging from sophisticated, chic, classy, etc. The fashion in London and Paris was notably different than American fashion. From what I saw, athleisure wear was nearly nonexistent in these cities. From extravagant to simple, many locals had outfits that looked put together, polished, and tailored. Even a basic outfit had a very effortless look with the help of staple accessories such as belts, jewelry, and scarves. It’s helpful to keep an establishment’s dress code in mind if they have one. Sneakers, or trainers, are prohibited or discouraged in certain restaurants. As two top fashion capitals in the world, people in London and Paris are always ready to dress to impress.
5. always bring a portable charger
As this may seem like a more obvious tip, carrying a portable charger at all times can be a lifesaver. I learned my lesson the hard way by forgetting my portable charger in the apartment I was staying in. In a city like Paris, it’s so easy to get lost in the beauty of the sites, the stores, and the people. You may want to capture each moment with a picture and forget about everything else…like your phone’s battery percentage. With an uncharged phone, one may have to rely completely on public transportation and pure memory. Carrying a portable charger helps ensure you aren’t stuck in a foreign country without your phone which can act as a translator, a GPS, and a way to contact others.
6. the night doesn’t start till morning
In a city that never sleeps and never waits only one exception can be made. In a busy city like London, one can only expect lively nightlife. Back in America, you can find many clubs busy by 11 p.m., if not sooner. However, most nightclubs in London don’t actually start to fill out until midnight-1 a.m. Entering a club before this time will leave you standing in a room with only a few people here and there just waiting for the stroke of midnight and the rush of people. Before midnight, you can catch many locals hanging out at a pub, a bar, or even hanging around the city! 1 a.m. is really when the music is the loudest and the dancefloor the most crowded. I also learned that there’s times when you must be the one to start the dancing. While Londoners have a busy nightlife, they have an even busier day one so many clubs will be closed around 3 a.m. In London, the busiest days for an active nightlife are Fridays and Saturdays. While some clubs are open during the week, they won’t be nearly as crowded on a weekend.