If you look at one of my previous blogs on Paris packing lists , you will see that I've got the art of packing almost down to a science.   I can't remember the last time I checked luggage on a flight to Europe, whether the trip be for 4 days or two weeks.   The only thing different I will be taking to Paris at this time of year is an extra sweater, since it seems this winter in Paris has been the coldest in years.  I've been checking the weather on-line and I will be doing that up until the time I depart.

Yesterday, I went down to my bank (Citibank) to order euros to bring to Paris.   The current exchange rate is $1.44 to 1 euro.   However, I was quoted a rate of $1.52 by Citibank.   If I order more than 1,000 euros from Citibank, there is no fee, otherwise an additional fee of $5.00 applies.    The difference in the exchange rates between the official exchange rate and Citi's rate is the profit the bank makes in providing me with the euros.   However, if I go to an ATM in Paris, I should get the "true" conversion rate of $1.44 plus a 3% transaction fee.   That would make the cost per euro at slightly higher than $1.48 if I get my euros from an ATM in Paris.

Conclusion:  I'll get my euros from an ATM in Paris.

I should note that I will be carrying about 50 euros on me when I land in Paris.   I have these euros leftover from a previous trip.

I will also be carrying two different credit cards in Paris.  One a MasterCard from Citi, the other a Visa from Chase.   I have notified the banks that I will be traveling in Paris next week.   I don't want them noticing some "unusual" activity on my cards and having them mistakenly put a hold on the cards while I am traveling.    I am also taking two different ATM cards with me and I have notified the financial institutions also that I will be using them in Paris.   And one more thing,  I have written down the contact info for the credit card companies in case my cards are lost or stolen and I can get them replaced if necessary.

I have also made sure my calling card has enough minutes on it and there are minutes available on my Skype account (see my previous blog on using Skype)

I've double-checked my passport and made three copies.  On the back of the copies I've written down my hotel name and phone number and contact information back in the U.S.

A couple of nights ago I went out to the mall and I picked up a pair of North Face "Powerstretch" gloves.  I know the weather is going to be chilly in Paris and I am going to be taking a lot of photos and video.  It is always a real problem with having to take my gloves on and off in order to operate the small buttons on cameras.   However, the Powerstretch gloves fit so snugly on my hands, there is no need to do that.

With the recent Christmas day terrorist attempt, security procedures at the airports have changed.  I called the airline to double-check on what the security procedures will be.   It looks like I will be able to take my carry-on and a small backpack on the plane, but I will have to check one of the items on my return flight from Europe.  The airline also advised me to get to the airport 3 hours before departure.

I'll go to the bookstore tonight and pick up some light reading on the plane.  I am going to take "The 4-Hour Work Week" with me and a couple of books I purchased on how to make my travel website better.    I will use my strategies for minimizing jet lag (see this).

On Saturday morning, I will pack, watch some football, take a nap and wake up at about 6 pm and head out to the airport for my 10:15 pm flight to Paris.