I might find other activities than watching the Twins play at the Trop the next day or two.
18 thoughts on “June 7, 2023: Plan B”
All right, hit me with your best, recent international travel tips! The family is heading to Paris in under a week. I just learned about Mobile Passport Control for re-entry into the US and am wondering what other random things I'm not aware of that would be helpful.
Less than a week?! You're not giving us much time!
Your best friend is YouTube -- there are a crapton of helpful videos people have posted with tips on everything from public transport, money exchange, restaurants, sites, etc etc.
Paris is GREAT. Fun city. Get early to museums if that is your jam. Picnics are fun in the major parks.
As for travel. Make sure your luggage is underweight. Especially if you are flying point to point in Europe lbs and dimensions are different.
Pickpockets are still a thing so be alert for that.
Don't assume everyone speaks english, most do, but be prepared for them not to.
Public bathrooms are hard to fine like in the US, though better mostly for a fee.
Trains are great, but give yourself enough time to go through the whole process of getting tickets and finding your platform.
Oh and get outside of the main tourist areas for a bit if you can. Lots of great neighborhoods.
Je parle français, donc la langue n'est pas un problème!
Great tips--thank you! My father was pickpocketed when we were on a family trip to Paris in 1996, and filing a police report, although it went smoothly, is a process I'd rather not repeat. Do people still bring along a photocopy of their passport that is kept in a separate spot in case the passport is lost/stolen? I probably also need to make note of credit card info and phone numbers in case of theft...
Yes. Bring multiple copies.
Alert your CC and Bank about your travels and where you are going. Nothing sucks more than being locked out of all of your resources when you need them.
Also cash. Bring some and look at what rates getting Euros is best for you.
Being able to muddle through or be competent in french is super useful. Unlike a lot of other countries where no one cares.
Absolutely the credit card #s and such.
Phone service is also something to look at. Wifi is always an option but it can be nice to have the cell service at least as a backup.
I need help as well (Japan & South Korea in July). Does Mobile Passport Control require each family member to have the thing installed? Or can one (or two) adult do it for the whole crew?
Per the MPC app, "with one mobile phone you can complete your entire family's submission."
They don't have it available at all US airports, but it IS at MSP.
Thanks! Asked a friend if he's used it. He said they had, but it didn't really work so they've given up and waited in lines. Still think I'll give it a try. They were flying into NYC after all.
I have two pieces of advice for the Paris airport.
1 Make sure you've dumped out your water bottle. They don't give you anywhere to dump them in security.
2 If a security guard yells at you that it is "Forbeeden!", do not giggle.
Ha! Good tips.
I have two standing room tickets for the Twins game on Friday the 16th for anyone that wants the them.
It looks like I'll be going to the August 1st Twins game in StL.
Anyone else? That's a Tuesday.
I can do that!
Sweet!
We'll have to hope that works for others. I know Tuesday isn't the most convenient but it's tough to schedule around a midweek series.
Well, I can do any of those games, but thanks to pitch clock it's easier than it was in the past.
It looks like we’re going to be attending the October 1st game in Denver. Likely will be the only live baseball game I see this year.
RIP
A young Khosrow Vaziri (the Iron Sheik) got off a plane in the Fall of 1969 not knowing a word of English and ended up here, helping Alan Rice coach the Minnesota Wrestling Club. pic.twitter.com/jQTTG8qjcc
All right, hit me with your best, recent international travel tips! The family is heading to Paris in under a week. I just learned about Mobile Passport Control for re-entry into the US and am wondering what other random things I'm not aware of that would be helpful.
Less than a week?! You're not giving us much time!
Your best friend is YouTube -- there are a crapton of helpful videos people have posted with tips on everything from public transport, money exchange, restaurants, sites, etc etc.
Also, one (or more) of these are great.
Paris is GREAT. Fun city. Get early to museums if that is your jam. Picnics are fun in the major parks.
As for travel. Make sure your luggage is underweight. Especially if you are flying point to point in Europe lbs and dimensions are different.
Pickpockets are still a thing so be alert for that.
Don't assume everyone speaks english, most do, but be prepared for them not to.
Public bathrooms are hard to fine like in the US, though better mostly for a fee.
Trains are great, but give yourself enough time to go through the whole process of getting tickets and finding your platform.
Oh and get outside of the main tourist areas for a bit if you can. Lots of great neighborhoods.
Je parle français, donc la langue n'est pas un problème!
Great tips--thank you! My father was pickpocketed when we were on a family trip to Paris in 1996, and filing a police report, although it went smoothly, is a process I'd rather not repeat. Do people still bring along a photocopy of their passport that is kept in a separate spot in case the passport is lost/stolen? I probably also need to make note of credit card info and phone numbers in case of theft...
Yes. Bring multiple copies.
Alert your CC and Bank about your travels and where you are going. Nothing sucks more than being locked out of all of your resources when you need them.
Also cash. Bring some and look at what rates getting Euros is best for you.
Being able to muddle through or be competent in french is super useful. Unlike a lot of other countries where no one cares.
Absolutely the credit card #s and such.
Phone service is also something to look at. Wifi is always an option but it can be nice to have the cell service at least as a backup.
I need help as well (Japan & South Korea in July). Does Mobile Passport Control require each family member to have the thing installed? Or can one (or two) adult do it for the whole crew?
Per the MPC app, "with one mobile phone you can complete your entire family's submission."
They don't have it available at all US airports, but it IS at MSP.
Thanks! Asked a friend if he's used it. He said they had, but it didn't really work so they've given up and waited in lines. Still think I'll give it a try. They were flying into NYC after all.
I have two pieces of advice for the Paris airport.
1 Make sure you've dumped out your water bottle. They don't give you anywhere to dump them in security.
2 If a security guard yells at you that it is "Forbeeden!", do not giggle.
Ha! Good tips.
I have two standing room tickets for the Twins game on Friday the 16th for anyone that wants the them.
It looks like I'll be going to the August 1st Twins game in StL.
Anyone else? That's a Tuesday.
I can do that!
Sweet!
We'll have to hope that works for others. I know Tuesday isn't the most convenient but it's tough to schedule around a midweek series.
Well, I can do any of those games, but thanks to pitch clock it's easier than it was in the past.
It looks like we’re going to be attending the October 1st game in Denver. Likely will be the only live baseball game I see this year.
RIP