What a difference a day/weekend makes!

Let me start by telling you I’m making a trial travel run to So. Calif. tomorrow to go visit my Dad and Step Mom for a few days….it’s been awhile and actually overdue, so I’m going to make up for lost time before my French adventure begins. Just a carry-on should do it.  But, actually what is making my adrenaline flow…anxiety overload will be revealed!

I was browsing the internet yesterday just filling up on a variety of topics related to France and that solo travel “thing”. I thought I’d just check some of the government sites as to the particulars for travel and this is where my heart dropped! There amongst the warnings and inoculations I don’t need, was the statement to the effect that a visa is needed if planning to stay beyond 3 months/ 90 days. Panic was all too quick to rear it’s head!  I hadn’t checked and why the hell not? No explanation for that one…inexperience in overseas travel on my own is all the excuse I could come up with! Still, what was I thinking and now, what can I do? Bless my daughter to step in and jump onto sites to evaluate what I might be able to do.

So, here’s the result so far….I’m thinking I’ll be flying to SF sometime soon to present what is needed for consideration for a long term visa. The website says it could take 3 weeks! I’d say I’m cutting it close! But I have also thought if it’s not possible I will come up with a Plan B or Plan C!  I’m still working on that but it might just be that I’ll be venturing to other lands after my 90 days are up. I could even head back, but I think not…but possibly Spain or Italy might come into play. Either way, it’s not as catastrophic as I first imagined…honestly! I just need to jump on the information needed before I get my “appointment” with the French General Consulate! This traveling thing is not as smooth as I had hoped…but I’m determined!

  
So, here’s my “Scoops” who’s thinking that she’ll blend in so completely that I won’t notice and take her along. I will miss her but leaving her in good hands!

This next week will be crucial in the dictation of how I will proceed. Wish me luck…