Paris, I barely got to know you!! That’s right, I Left Paris too soon.  But I had to.  If I had not left when I did I may have been fined or incarcerated!!!  So, I didn’t get to see all I wanted to see in Paris.

I left Paris too soon is like a battle cry to return!  Gosh, just bad planning on my part.  Bad planning before leaving the states and bad budget planning.  I sort of ignored some very obvious things in lieu of being there and doing.

While I visited The Moulin Rouge….it’s the inside I should have seen!!!  I should have lived the experience!  Prices start at 230 Euros per person…that’s roughly $270 in U.S. dollars!!!  That’s one good reason why I didn’t go but also, want to return. http://www.moulinrouge.fr/menu/soiree-belle-epoque?lang=en.

Another thing I didn’t get to do that I wanted to do was to visit Jim Morrison’s gravesite. While I’m really disappointed, it is another of those instances where the time was short, and the transportation to the cemetery and back I couldn’t justify and I was feeling rushed.

I was quite a distance for Jim’s place of rest….the next visit I’ll be closer as I’m planning on staying within eye sight of the Eiffel Tower. An unfulfilled moment.

I didn’t make it to Versailles either. Much to my regret. You’ve read where I’ve mentioned I only had an allotted amount of time in the Schengen countries. That’s part of the problem. I’m allowed 90 days in Europe under the Schengen Agreement and after those 90 days I must remain out of any Schengen countries for 90 days before I’m allowed to return.

I left Paris too soon…..

Here’s where my planning went a bit off. I misunderstood the 90 day thing. I thought that was per country!!! GADS! I goofed! Big Time!

You see I spent a bit over 30 days exploring Portugal. What I should have done was to have applied for a Visa which would have allowed me to stay for a year.

Remember, my traveling goal isn’t set primarily on seeing the tourist sites but rather experiencing life abroad on a local level.

Paris entailed 5 days….not enough. You see I flew in and transported to hotel across the city, unpacked and walked the streets. I moved to a hotel close to the airport the night before I left to make it more convenient for me. So, that really only left me with 3 days to do the tourist thing.

Thus, I must return. Looking too budget for a month.

Now, I’m back in the states licking my financial wounds and trying bravely to rebound. One thing I know I can’t do is stay in one place too long. After traveling over the past 3 1/2 years, I’ve tasted what it’s like and I want more.

So, I have a used Recreational Vehicle to tour about in the states. It’s an older RV and I’ve had a few problems, but I’m working thru them, slowly. But, that another story for another time.

My mind is on Europe and in particular, France. But, I must add returning to Sicily and making my way around the island over at least 3 to 4 weeks. I like to move slowly and take in everything that’s possible. Then there’s Greece which was out because of time. Madeira Island (Part of Portugal) off the African coast is another must revisit and take my time.

I left Paris too soon…..

Yeah, well I sort of made things even harder on and for myself as I bought the RV outright. Plundered my savings!! Scraping the barrel!!!

The challenge and the adventure is to rebuild the finances and to do it quickly!

Peace, love and beaches,

John

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