Rick Steves Stuff Has Arrived

I came home to a fairly large box sitting at the bottom of my stairs (I'm on the second floor). It was covered with a plastic bag, protection from the threatening scattered thunderstorms predicted. My order from Rick Steves has arrived! Clearly marked on the side of the box was "made in Vietnam" so I was a little hesitant to think it actually was my new 21" carry on. But also printed on the side of the box was: COLOR: COPPER. It was defiantly the "21" roll-aboard".
I opened the box and sure enough, there was the suitcase. 21" of empty space to fill with 8 days worth of various clothing (and a pair of flip flops). "How", do you say "can you possibly live out of a 21" roll aboard for over a week"? Well, according to Rick (Steves) (my Dali lama of travel tips) you find a launder matte or there's always the sink (on hit "list of things to pack" is actually a line that says "cloths line". I don't think I will waste any space on the clothes line, I will search out a local launder matte. I will have to learn the french word for launder matte, it probably isn't called a launder matte at all. I'll get back to you on that. I wonder if the launder mattes have a "international" symbol similar to the green neon cross which represents a "pharmaceutique" not to be confused with a "tabac" or a similar sounding name which is where one can purchase just about anything an American tourist in Paris could need. At least that's what Rick says. (I think I read that in Rick's book, it might have been one of the other dozen or so travel guides I have been reading).
Why copper? Well, its a nice color, not orange but copper-ish. I figured if I ever did have to check the bag (they can make you do that whenever they want) it would be easy to identify on the retrieval belt or carousel.
Also included in the box was the two other important items I ordered from Rick. A Rick Steves, travel gear, continental adapter. After MUCH research I have determined that an adapter is all that I will need as opposed to a converter which cost a lot more than the buck (that's what it cost, really) for the adapter. The two items which need electricity I will be bringing is my laptop and a cell. Not my cell, its not "global" but I hear Verizon "loans" there customers a global phone for up to a month. They even let you keep you're own number. I have not discussed this with the local Verizon sales associate but I will soon. I did "join" or "sign on with" Google's "voice" option, (it's free, I sign up for anything if it's free, it usually turns out to NOT be free, ie Free Credit Report.com, it's $15.00 a month). I told them they can take there credit report and shove it, well, you know.  The power pack's used for charging on the cell and powering the lap top, are actually made to handle "our" voltage, 110 and France's (Europe's) voltage 220. So, Oi La La to that!
The other and last item I purchased from Rick, (excuse me if I call him Steve once in a while, I hate names that are two first names, never trusted them), is a "Hidden Pocket". This is similar to a "money belt" but you find a comfortable spot hanging inside your pants, with a sewn on "loop" which loops to you're belt. It comes with two loops, one id black and the other is khaki, to closer match the color pants you are wearing. That Rick, he thinks of everything. The only thing he does not tell you is how do you access your "hidden pocket" without unbuckling and droppin'. But I guess that's no different than having a money belt. Any way you look at them, there a pain in the ass. I really can't walk around Europe with my wallet in my back pocket? It is like the main "warning" which re appears in almost every travel book. Is it like a regional thing? WE don't have any problems with wallets in the back pocket over here... but you better watch out for the guy's with the guns.

Just waiting...

My trip to Paris starts in a few weeks. I am patiently waiting, enjoying the summer. I have made the important arrangements and am planning the rest of my trip. I have listed many things to do which, depending on time and budget, I hope to accomplish most.
I hope to keep this blog up to date as I gain experiences and information while in Paris. 
I hope you enjoy it.