Ma maison…throwing in that bit of French flair to get this post going…how in the world do you start? Thank goodness for that World Wide Web! It has opened up so much to my traveling spirit….how had we lived without it?? No need to ponder this because even starting this task is a challenge with the Internet….lots of options to choose from and I find hours going by as I am searching…literally HOURS!
I maneuvered through the maze of options and websites…letting the ones go that were in French….that would have increased the hours involved ten-fold. I couldn’t rely on my rusty translation to determine an adequate place so I first searched rental companies based out of New York. I was even trying my luck with word of mouth and possible suggestions/networking but to no avail. I then got serious about 4 months ago and discovered the world of Airbnb! My preference was to find a furnished studio…don’t need much to start. Well, it opened up a whole new and exciting process. You type in the city and dates needed and a map is displayed with a variety of option/prices, photos, descriptions and the ever important reviews! Let me say the reviews are paramount when considering a place…you discover what previous clients/tourists experienced. They are honest….sometimes brutally but then it’s often taken as constructive criticism as I believe the hosts/hostess managing the places are truly wanting to make your stay enjoyable. I might be naive but I’m trusting that it will all work out.
Originally I was thinking I’d stay in Aix en Provence for the 6 months….using it as a home base. I changed that mode of thinking for now. The apartment I’ve secured will take me through June. So, my thought process is to continue once I’m unpacked in Aix to consider once again an accommodation in another French town for a couple of weeks at a time through Airbnb! These places still need to have those requirements for my needs and comfort and possibly new adventures that I haven’t even imagined yet. I’m thinking the sharing and exchanging of information from other travelers will help determine my next move. The train station locales will be a determining factor also….I haven’t even tackled that challenge but I’m up for it.
We shall just have to be trusting that this will turn out as I am hoping it will. 6 weeks and counting….just wait until you hear all that I’m needing to prep for….here and abroad!