{Un}Glamorous Paris: Visitors

If you don't like being a hostess, you shouldn't move to Paris. More than anywhere in the world, I'd venture to guess that Paris is the #1 place people will go out of the way to visit you (or even those people you don't really remember - but who are suddenly your new best friends - will find a way).

I've stopped counting how many visitors I've had pass through Paris in my various stints here. However, I can tell you that in 2003/4 when I lived here, during the course of 9 months I had 18 friends and family pass through. Crazily the majority of them stayed with me. Which is kind of funny because at the time I was living in 30m2 (up from my current 12m2) with a roommate. We both slept in the living room on "klick-klacks" - a more practical European style futon that served many functions. But wait, it gets better. So my first friend came to visit came for 2 weeks. As someone who myself was poor, I didn't have the heart to say no, or limit the time to a few days. Then my roommate's ex-girlfriend came to visit for another 2 weeks, so that was awkward, and I couldn't say no, because I started to have a huge influx of guests that far outweighed his. (Funny interlude: there was hardly any storage, so we kept our clothes in the kitchen cupboards). I love that I can laugh at this scenario now, because it only got worse. More friends came, and there were several nights with 4 people staying in the itty apartment. Then it was the holidays and I jetted off to Cairo, while my roommate's dad and brother arrived. Thankfully my friend with a "real" apartment asked me to cat sit so I didn't have to return to my apartment where my roommate's father was sleeping on the floor. At one point I did have enough, and told him that his family could afford to get a hotel room. I'm not really sure how I survived that year - I was young, and dumb, but did have fun. Ironically, I think it also helps my current 12m2 feel even more luxurious.

Now with age, I'm moving up in the world - literally, up 6 flights to the maid's quarters in my chambre de bonne. Sadly (or maybe good for me), having friends stay with me is not even an option. Over the holidays I had twenty (yes, 20!) straight days of friends in town. The day one left, another arrived, and then a third was in there too! Last weekend, I had a dear old friend pass through for work, and had 24 hours notice to make the most of hanging out on Sunday. And the real irony of this post is that I woke up this email from two other great friends saying they just cashed in some mileage and are coming this weekend (I like the way they roll!). Then I know another friend comes February 14th, and another in March, and three more in April! And my parents in May. Yes, it's a constant windmill of visitors passing through, so maybe it is a good thing that there's no guest room at my place.

The way I figure it, I have people I know in town a solid 30% of the year. It is all lovely, and fun and games, but then it's a bit harder when you're a perpetual student (aka poor) and everyone who passes through has the mentality, "oh it doesn't matter, I'm on vacation!" and "I'm so glad I don't have any work to do." So over the years I've learned to strike the balance of having my friends in town, getting quality time and keeping my sanity, while getting my own work done.

• Before they arrive, I like to send them my favorite links and resources - and although they're my friends, I realize they don't all read my blog as closely as they should ;)
  
• I'm a nice friend, but only so nice, so I make sure to send them my "Arriving in Paris" post so that they know how to get from the airport into the city. And not only do they feel empowered on having done it on their own, but I can sleep in and get more of my stuff done, which means more QT with them!.
• Greet them with their very own "Plan de Paris" map book, and pre-paid cellphone loaded with credits. These days many people have phones that work over here, but having a phone you can text message is crucial for meeting up and making plans. (This tip has changed my life!!!)
  
• I know my friends, and I know what they like, so I always try to plan something we can do together that I know they'll really appreciate. As much as I love the design scene, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea so it's all about digging up something fun for both of us. And I use friends as a great excuse to try new things myself.
  
• Help friends come up with an itinerary. Since I can only handle the Paris "Top 10" so many times, I typically find it better to send them off on their own. And particularly for places like the Louvre, it's nice for people not to feel rushed. In planning the days (just roughly), I can figure out when I can fit my work in too. Sometimes you feel like you need to be together 24-7, but space can be healthy for everyone.
  
• While I can't house my friends, I do make every effort to help them find a place to stay. Sometimes I even help my Paris friends out by helping "rent" their apartment while they're on vacation. It's a win-win-win, and I feel less guilty for living in a petit appartement.

Here are some other great leads if you're looking for a place to stay in Paris. If you're looking for a hotel, Budget Travel recently posted their favorite "secret hotels." My vote is with Mama Shelter or Hotel Amour, and on the way budget end, one reader wrote me about her great stay at the hip hostel Oops!. Personally, I'm always a fan of renting an apartment - it's far cheaper and you get more space, and feel more like a Parisian living here and exploring the neighborhoods. For apartment rentals, check these out:

• One Week Flat (run by my friend Clara)
• Haven in Paris (also has an informative Paris blog)
• Appartement Blanc (a gorgeous apartment my friends Katie and Jon rented)
• Paris-Flats (I rented the "Reuilly 1" with a friend and we were quite pleased)
• HomeAway Holiday Rentals (the sponsor of GranTourismo Travels, where you can check out the range of places they stayed around the world)
• Air BnB (a worldwide network of apartment rentals in the homes of "real people")
• Couch Surfing (the most affordable - aka free - way to stay)
  

Have any other recommendations for places to stay or where to look? Add them in the comments!

{Un}Glamorous Paris is a regular series exploring the less than perfect sides to life in Paris with a sense of humor. More in the series:
- Chest X-Rays
- Paperwork
- Finding an Apartment
- Working in France
- Swimming Pools
- Les Toilettes