Airbnb For First Timers

(my Parisian flat last year via Valerie on Airbnb)

As I sit here finishing up my plans for this summer I am a wee bit frustrated. I have my flight book, my school booked, my travel dates planned, andddd no place to live. I have literally been checking every apartment rental website each morning in hopes the God’s put forth the “perfect place.” And today was going to be the day I found it. However, here I am a few weeks out and while I have some very viable options I haven’t found the perfect apartment yet. I did believe I had found it yesterday and even put in the offer but she decided to stay in Paris for the summer. Really bia. Give me your flat!!!!

One thing I have learned while searching every rental website imaginable is hidden fees. While you think you found the deal of the century it is always very important to look at any realtor fee, cleaning fee, deposit, and so on. I had no idea all of the in’s and out’s that go into utilizing these online tools. Since the first time I used Airbnb (for this trip) went so fabulously well I decided to put down into words what I have learned.

Always Add a Filter
Filters are your best friend. But really. The entire time I was finding all of these “amazing” Parisian flats I realized they were a pull-out sofa and there was no washer. If I can find a flat with a bed and a washer I will try my hardest. To make it easy I narrowed down every “noncomprable” on my list and checked it off the filter. Must have wifi: check. Must have a bed: check. And so on. It will take your search from thousands down to a few – which is very helpful. It is also smart to add the filters for your max price and area. Falling in love with a flat that is incredibly outside your budget is never fun. Trust me, I have done it. Save time and heartache by only looking at places within your means.

This Isn’t Your Home nor a Hotel
Seems obvious. However, on a lot of reviews I read people do not seem to grasp this idea. What do you mean they don’t have a Nespresso machine? No, robe and slippers? What kind of place is this? These amenities may or may not be included in the description of the apartment. It all depends on what the host has to offer. Make sure you read and re-read everything which is on the listed description so you are not disappointed upon arrival.

Engage
Airbnb makes it extremely easy to ask questions and engage with your potential host. Utilize this. I send questions to each flat I am interested in. Is your check-in/out policy flexible. What does the security deposit include? How often do you check on the place? Is the cleaning fee set? Every question you can think of, ask. It is better to over-communicate initially than be confused or angry upon check-out. I also love to ask for local advice. Where do you go shopping? Where is the best Italian restaurant. Where is the nearest cafe? They always have very insightful answers which will help you adjust to your quarters quicker and make your trip even more enjoyable.

Feel Protected
A lot of people are weary of booking an apartment online through a third party. I agree with a lot of this anxiety. Searching for this Parisian flat has made me realize how many websites out there are not reliable. I was about to book an apartment through a certain website but had a nagging feeling to search for their reviews. Come to find out there is no protection for the renter/rentee. Apparently renters were never getting their deposits back even though the flat was left in immaculate shape. THIS IS HUGE. Always make sure you are renting from a reliable website (like airbnb) which protects both parties. Another great thing about Airbnb is they verify each listing. You must adhere to very strict reviews and verification process to list and to rent. The best advice I can give you is to reach out and get to know the host before renting. This will help you feel more comfortable going forward. If you have further fears Airbnb has an entire section to help answer your questions.

Always Review
When your trip is over review your experience. Honesty is key but remember to not pick out every little detail. Future travelers want to know if the apartment was described properly, was it noisy, was the host honest, did you enjoy your stay, and if the area was good. Taking part in the “community” of airbnb will help your rating and future travels!

** Also, I am being featured on Artizone Dallas’ blog this week! I absolutely love their services and have enjoyed getting to know them over the years! To read my feature click here.

THE Big Reveal

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Slow down you crazy child
You’re so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you’re so smart tell me,
Why are you still so afraid? (mmmmm)

Where’s the fire, what’s the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day (Ay)

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You’re gonna kick off before you even get halfway through (Oooh)
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

Slow down you’re doing fine
You can’t be everything you want to be before your time
Although it’s so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)

Too bad, but it’s the life you lead
You’re so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you’re wrong
You know you can’t always see when you’re right (you’re right)

You got your passion, you got your pride
But don’t you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true (Oooh)
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

These lyrics have always been near and dear to my heart. Sometimes it is hard to trust in the timing of everything. I personally tend to rush things or always look ahead. It isn’t that I don’t enjoy the moment but rather I get nervous there won’t be enough time for me to accomplish my dreams. I have this constant battle with anxious behavior so when something doesn’t happen I begin to stress.

I can be quite the emotional person. I admit it. I am a sensitive and dramatic soul. When I graduated college it wasn’t easy. It felt like my friends all moved away, I was barely making ends meet and adult life was exhausting. I felt a little lost on post-grad life, and I was still in Texas. I started to grow a little unhappy. You see, I always had dreams to move abroad, mainly Paris. I fell head-over-heels for the city when I visited in high school and the love affair continued after numerous trips. I actually tried to turn this dream into a reality a few times before but the world always seemed to have other plans. I always found it so frustrating that every time I tried to go, something went wrong. Either I didn’t get accepted into a program, I got a new job, a possible parisian roommate fell through…etc. My mom always told me, “well, it isn’t the right time.” My thoughts? Fuck time! I want to go now. If it doesn’t happen now I will never go! It has to work NOW! That was how frustrated I was feeling. Every time I would get down or frustrated about my failing plans I would play this song by Billy Joel (above). Over and over. I even changed the lyrics from “Vienna waits for you” to “Paris waits for you.”

I have now been married two years to the absolute love of my life, and the dream of moving to Paris seemed all but forgotten. He and his family have always been so generous with travel, and we have loved seeing the world together. But there is always a bit of a sigh when I come back to Dallas and I know the trip is over. It is hard for me to get back into the routine of “normalcy.” I want to do more.

Do you want to know the reasons I love my husband more than anything in this world? He supports me, loves me, respects me, and encourages me. The man is a gift from God. I am not sure I could have ever found someone so perfect. So why am I getting this personal? The other night I had a complete cry sesh with him. After a bottle of wine the tears came. They weren’t sad tears – more tears of the unknown and fear of running out of time to accomplish my dreams. I warned I had a tendency to be dramatic. But he gets me. Since he grew up in Switzerland and has lived in multiple countries he understands my fear of living in the same place and never experiencing something new. He comforts my anxieties and always helps me feel at ease while assuring me, there is enough time. I told you he is perfect for me!

It literally took him all of three minutes after I was done explaining my tears to say, “Go. Go live your dream. Move to Paris for the summer and check that off your list.” “I am sorry, did I hear you right? I can’t just gooo. I have a family. I have responsibilities. I would miss you too much. No.” Literally that was my response. Can you imagine having your dream handed to you on a silver platter and you say no? Well, I did. I couldn’t comprehend leaving my best friend (him) and my dog, Annie. However, he continued to chat it out with me. I started to think “Why couldn’t I go this summer? I have no major responsibilities. I work from home. He can take care of the dog.” It was the perfect timing.

Timing. That funny, hard to trust, confusing word that I finally heard in the right sentence: “Mary, this is the perfect timing.” The moment he said it I felt this overwhelming sensation deep in my bones. He was right. This was MY TIME. So there it is, with the support of my very understanding, phenomenal, loving husband, I am moving to Paris for the summer!! I have signed-up (and been approved) to take a course in french and hopefully learn enough to follow along with my in-laws.

On my drive home from Houston this past weekend I played “Vienna” by Billy Joel and smiled the entire song. It had all come full circle. If you are patient enough dreams do come true. Paris didn’t have to wait any longer, I was coming!

August California Bags

click here to learn more about August CA Bags

I absolutely love everything August California Bags represent: adventure, wanderlust, dreams, travel, and excitement. You either have the travel bug or you don’t. I was just talking to my parents about that very thing this weekend. Where my dad would be comfortable staying around places he is familiar with, my mother and I have a bug that has us wanting to see more. I often times worry this bug will never be satisfied. It is such the overwhelming feeling of all there is left to see, but really, I get more excited than anything. I just want to explore the world and learn all I can about cultures, art, photography, landscapes, and beauty. This same yearning to see and learn was within Charles and Jenna Jackson.

In the spring of 2011 Jenna and Charles, the founders of August California, packed up their San Francisco apartment and prepared for a year long journey around the world. The next twelve months would take them to the top of Africa in Tanzania, to the bottom of the Americas in Patagonia, to the cities of eastern and western Europe, and upon the rivers of Asia in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It was in these very locations where they sought out bags and accessories that would exude the old world luxury of Europe, and withstand the demanding elements of all travel.

Since arriving back in California, they have taken their inspirations from each trip and crafted it into a beautiful bag perfect for any traveler. Each piece comes from a memory during their yearlong adventure and is made by local artisans in California; all with the understanding of what is demanded from a life on the go. This very story and thought behind each bag is why I love them so much!

It is only fitting that without even looking I would choose the bag that was inspired by their time spent in Paris’s Marsais District and their weekly trips to the market. I can’t tell you enough how beautiful these bags are and how perfect they are for anyone taking an upcoming trip! The straps are just perfect for easy carry and the material is absolutely stunning. You feel like you are carrying something really unique – like a souvenir from your latest exotic trip! Best part? They also make bags for men so now you can have the perfect gift for that perfect travel companion.

I hope you check out August California and become as inspired as I have while reading their tales about their adventures around the world!

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