Listening to Your Body While Traveling: A Vital Lesson Learned in Paris During Our 30 Day Tour

Travel is as much about learning as it is about seeing new places—and for our nerdy family, it’s about seeking out the stories, culture, and magic behind every destination. Sometimes, the greatest lessons come in hindsight. Today’s lesson is listening to your body while traveling.

Below is my original blog post from our 2010 30-Day Tour of Europe—a day in Paris, remembered word for word, warts and all.

Contents Hide

1 Leaving London

2 The EuroStar

3 Finding the Hotel

4 Venturing Out Into Paris

5 Being Catholic

6 Putting Off the City of Lights

7 Reacting to my Writing

8 How We’d Approach Paris Today

8.1 1. Technology: Leveling Up the Travel Game

8.2 2. Traveling with Chronic Pain: Side Quests Matter

8.3 3. Bringing Our Nerdy Kid Along (Or Not)

8.4 4. Main Lesson: Listening to Your Body While Traveling (and Your Mind)

9 Final Thoughts for Nerdy Families on the Go

9.1 About The Author

9.1.1 Kurt Hargis

9.2 Share this:

9.3 Like this:

9.4 Related

9.5 Discover more from NolaNerdCouple.com

Leaving London

Even if you wake up early to go to Paris, you still wake up early. Even though you know you will see the Eiffel Tower and have mass at Notre Dame, you want to roll over and fall back asleep. Sleep is an amazing thing, but sometimes it just gets in the way. Begrudgingly, we woke up early on the fifth of June and made sure everything was packed. We put on our backpacks and started the walk to St. Pancras Station.

I loved that little walk—very little traffic on the streets from either wheel or foot. You get the feeling that no matter how big this city is, you own a little bit of it at this time. It is a feeling of total comfort and safety. The only other time I felt this way was on Sunday morning in New York City in the financial district.

The EuroStar

Security at the Eurostar was smooth and efficient. It was easy finding our seats and the journey was smooth. So smooth and easy was this trip that we didn’t realize that we where under the Channel. There was no announcement just a very long tunnel. When we arrived in France the only thing different was the announcements were made in French first instead of English. We enjoyed some croissants on the train and soon arrived in Paris.

After a potential scam at the train station, but one easily avoided thanks to Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door, we took the metro to our hotel. I keep having an argument in my mind of what underground system was better: London or Paris. Both were amazingly easy to use and with my MetrO app we never had to really travel to get from place to place.  Except this time when I did everything wrong.

Finding the Hotel

Emerging from the underground, I made a mistake at looking at my directions. Usually I’m even better than Magellan at directions especially since he never made it back alive. However, I was off my game this time. It sucked at the time, but in hindsight it was actually kind of nice. It was a cool, sunny morning and the Parisians were out and about. Our hotel was in a very residential neighborhood far from the maddening crowds. They were at the boulangeries, the patisseries, and the butcher shops. They were carrying the groceries they just made home. Yes, our backs and legs were screaming at this time but it was a happy mistake.

However, exhaustion from waking up early and previous days adventures was creeping on us. We wanted to see Paris now, but we knew we were useless in our current state. We took a brief nap and showered.

Venturing Out Into Paris

We were feeling refreshed enough to visit the Moulin Rouge. On the Metro ride, I did my best not annoy Cristina with my pitchy rendition of “Come What May.” I think she appreciated this.

We thought about seeing a show but the prices were just way too much for our budget. We did take some pictures and then walked down the Boulevard de Clichy. If were ever home sick, this was the perfect street for the cure if the cure is Bourbon Street. Bars and sex shops lined the streets. Some guidebooks talked about how racy it was, but for people who have lived near Bourbon it was no big deal. Now, I’m not sure if I would want to go there at night.

Starving, we just went to first street café we saw called the Omnibus Café. This was nice little touristy place. Our waiter was fast and friendly. I ordered a salmon and cheese sandwich; Cristina got a chicken and cheese sandwich. It was tasty and filling, so I don’t have any complaints.

Being Catholic

We then looked at the time and started to wonder if we could make Notre Dame in time for mass. The restaurant was across the street from a metro, and we made it to the cathederal in no time. My thought when see Notre Dame for the first time was “Jesus Christ” which on further review is an appropriate response. The building is gorgeous. Cristina started singing a certain Disney tune which made me reconsider my refraining from my earlier solo. But come what may. We got into the tour line but then worked our way into the mass.

Mass in Notre Dame was almost an out of body experience. First of all, they don’t stop the the tourists from visiting. While I’m genuflecting, some guy from Iowa with a camera is taking pictures to post on his facebook. Then you realize that you are too acting as tourist while you are supposed to be contemplating the mystery of faith by looking at the stained glass rose and the gold cross that adorn the building.

Even though they give you the readings in English and German, the mass is in French so during the homily you really have to fight the temptation to act like a tourist or just go with it. I’m sure it’s a small sin; I’ll have to check my iPad app to make sure though. All the while, you keep reminding yourself that you are taking part in a mass held at the Notre Dame Cathedral. Cristina told me she almost wept thinking about it. After mass, we decide to inspect the flying buttresses that our history teachers made such big deals about. Also, we wanted to get nice views of gargoyles. We sat on a park bench behind the church and enjoyed the view of the Seine for a little while.

Putting Off the City of Lights

Finally, we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and specifically at night. I feel bad for the Eiffel Tower. It is the symbol of Paris and it truly photographs well. However, I don’t think it lives up to the hype on first viewing at least for me. I had, and so did Cristina, the same reaction that most Parisians had when it was first erected: it’s not very attractive. It’s brown and metal, yay.

But it’s power is seductive. You keep looking at it as if it will tell you a secret. You look around looking for the lovers kissing. You try to avoid all the men swarming like bees selling miniature towers. You avoid the friendship bracelet scam (again read Steves’s book). Then you notice there an amazing number of people here. Not just in line, which are very long, but around the tower as well. Everyone is trying to have their Paris moment. That perfect picture followed by that perfect kiss.

We had ours a little farther away. We sat on a park bench and waited for the tower to light up. And we waited. The clocks turned nine and were racing to ten. The damn earth’s tilt was having a laugh at us. We took a short nap earlier, not a long one. We were exhausted. Louis XIV’s opulence was calling us to Versailles the next day. One day we would see the tower light up in that city of lights. Just not on this trip.

Reacting to my Writing

Sometimes, I get a little too clever with my jokes in my writing, but I do agree with myself about that Paris Moment. We returned in 2013 as part of a WWII trip, and this time, we saw it at night. The same thing; everyone is trying to have their perfect Paris moment. That’s the power of the Tower.

What I didn’t talk about enough in this blog was that nap. At the time, I remember napping almost against my will.

It’s our first day in Paris, and we are going to SLEEP instead of seeing the sights. I was not happy.

Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made during the trip.

How We’d Approach Paris Today

Fifteen years, a chronic illness, and a little nerdling later, I see that day in Paris through different eyes. If I could talk to my younger, backpack-toting self, I’d say: listen to your body while traveling—because every adventure is better when you’re present enough to enjoy it.

1. Technology: Leveling Up the Travel Game

In 2010, we had a Rick Steves guidebook and a couple of early travel apps. Now, we would still have our Rick Steves guidebook while our family nerds out over travel tech:

• Real-time navigation and translation on our phones
• Booking museum and attraction tickets online—no more long lines or missed windows.
• Tickets on the Phone: I would still get the Paris Museum Pass, but would relax knowing we didn’t have to keep track of paper.
• Apps for accessibility and family-friendly finds, making it easier to plan breaks and fun stops for all ages.

Having these tools today would make our Paris day so much smoother, especially for a family juggling learning, snack needs, and fun.

2. Traveling with Chronic Pain: Side Quests Matter

Palindromic rheumatism means listening to my body while traveling: think of it as my own “health meter.” If I were planning this Paris adventure now:

• We’d go slower, celebrate smaller victories, and treat rest time like a worthy side quest (maybe reading or people-watching in a park)
• Prioritize the nerdy must-sees: On this day, we did just that. We didn’t cram things in. We just decided to see a few things and take it easy. What seemed like a lot of wasted time at the time ended up being one of the best days of the trip. We were rested enough to enjoy it.
• Communicate openly about how I’m feeling, so we can all enjoy the day. Being a MAN, this is often the hardest part. I still struggle with it, but I know it’s the right thing.

3. Bringing Our Nerdy Kid Along (Or Not)

Traveling with our daughter would add new magic—and more planning:

• She’d be the first to spot a cool gargoyle or want to pretend the Eiffel Tower is a steampunk spaceship
• We’d break up big sightseeing with playgrounds, bookshops, or a bakery. Our girl would pick blueberries over candy any day of the week, but she also loves her some croissants. However, she does like to affect a French accent when she says croissant. We would tell her that wasn’t a good idea in Paris
• If it were just the two of us or if we went on a solo trip, we’d still slow down, savoring the city’s geeky corners and quieter joys like Shakespeare and Co.
• With our little one, we would practice some French before we make the trip.
  • My heritage is Louisiana French. My grandparents’ first language was French.
  • Unfortunately, it stopped with my mom.
  • I took two years of French in high school and I only learned one complete phrase: Pardon moi, je ne parle pas français, parlez vous anglais.
  • If you can say that, and say please and thank you, you will be treated very well. We never got the ugly American look because we showed that we learned enough to admit we didn’t know the language.

4. Main Lesson: Listening to Your Body While Traveling (and Your Mind)

If there’s one thing this nerdy family has learned, it’s this: Travel isn’t a checklist—it’s a choose-your-own-adventure. The best moments happen when you tune in to what you need, whether that’s a nap, a snack, or a spontaneous detour to a comic shop.

• If you’re tired, take a break (bonus if you can rest with a good book or some people-watching).
• Be honest with your travel companions. Encourage them to go one without you if it is something they really want to do.
• If you’re hurting, pause and care for yourself—don’t power through at the cost of fun.
• If your heart says “linger here,” listen.

Final Thoughts for Nerdy Families on the Go

Looking back at that Paris day, I’m grateful for the memories—and even more thankful for the lessons time, family, and fandom have taught us. Every European nerdy family travel adventure now starts with this: How do we make this fun, memorable, and comfortable for every member of the party?

If you’re planning your own nerdy family quest, remember: listen to your body (and your fellow travelers). The best stories are the ones you actually enjoy living.

Have your own travel tips for nerdy families? Share below! For more European nerdy family travel, check out the rest of our 30-day European adventure series.

About The Author

Kurt Hargis

administrator

Kurt Hargis, aka Mr. Nola Nerd, is an award-winning Louisiana educator and co-creator of NolaNerdCouple.com, where he shares his family’s love for travel, food, music, and pop culture. Accredited by events like Star Wars Celebration and Fan Expo to cover them as media, Kurt combines his expertise in education with his passion for storytelling to inspire curiosity, inclusivity, and connection in every space he creates. You can reach me at nolanerdcouple@gmail.com

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