About the Author

     My Travels in Paris

       My name is Erin Kelley and I’m a college student at The King’s College in NYC.  I

absolutely love to travel and will take every opportunity possible to see all corners of the world.

       Last summer, I traveled abroad and spent 2 months in Paris, France.  I was given the opportunity to

break away from the usual business classes at King’s to study art and culture, the total opposite of what 

I was used to.

          When some of my friends and fellow business majors were stuck in summer

classes, like statistics and corporate finance, I was in France learning about the culture and art firsthand. Classes were held in the mornings and field trips all over the city and surrounding cities in the afternoons, there was never a moment to spare. I took advantage of the time I had and never let anytime go to waste. 

          We spent our days exploring the Louvre, the D’Orssay, and countless other museums.  Some of the worlds greatest artists come from France and it was amazing to see artwork that I had once only known inside of a textbook. We went to all of the major churches: such as Notre Dame and St. Chappell. A day trip to Givernay, where Monet got his inspiration for his work is an easy train ride away and Disney Land was not far at all. 

          The food was amazing and nothing beats a picnic in front of the Eiffel tower or people watching in a café (the French have a love for people watching so large that all seats in cafes face the streets.)

           While taking classes in France and studying, I had to live on a strict budget, so I always was looking for the best deals when it can to food, clothing, and any other item I needed in the city of lights.  

That is why I’m writing this blog: I want to help future travelers find the best deals possible, but in a way that is smart and sensible. Saving money feels even better when you’re having fun

and getting the most out of it.

Tips for First Time Travelers

Don't make the mistakes I did. France was definitely a learning experience and I want to share all that I've learned about the city. These are only a few basics, but in posts to come I will share even more advice. 

1. Learn French!

The residents of Paris are more willing to help you out, if you speak or at least attempt to speak French to them.

2. Carry Change

A lot of establishments will want exact change and will get upset if you try to pay with large bills. I quickly learned what "change" meant in France because every retailer would try to ask for it.

3. Always be specific. 

This goes especially when ordering food at a restaurant. If you do not specify that you'd like tap water, a very large 10 dollar bottle of sparkling water will come to your table and lets be honest no one really even likes sparkling water.