The Travel Blog by TravelPod

If you’re heading to the Alps, Paris or the French Riviera, make sure you drop a line to Gyl Johnson, TravelPod’s Local Expert in France. She’s also got a lot of great tips about northern Africa, and other areas of Europe so don’t hesitate to ask her about such far flung destinations as Morocco and Italy too.

Why did you become a Local Expert?

I became a Local Expert because while it is clear that more and more people are traveling, I wanted to encourage people to travel for longer periods of time or even better, live abroad. So often, I hear people say they can’t afford to travel abroad. Or when they do, they must watch every penny, which I understand completely. However, the best way to circumvent this challenge, is to travel and work as you go. So, I hope to motivate/help people to work abroad as well as introduce a bit of the culture which surrounds the country. Sometimes some of the best things to enjoy in any given country are not sites, so much as experiences and noticing the small details which are often found within the culture.

What are the best and worst things about living in France?

Interestingly enough, the best things and worst things about living in France are the same. What I mean is, some of the most annoying things, such as the French refusing to accept change, or their resistance to a global market have helped maintain some of the Old World charm that attracts visitors in the first place. For example, there are many things here that are still produced the same way they were 100,200 years ago, such as cheese, wine, olive oil etc. If the French were more open to change, the lifestyle that I enjoy now, wouldn’t exist.

I love that France constantly promotes and celebrates its culture and language through festivals, events, art and literature. Despite their reputation, especially in Paris, the French are friendly. Like anywhere else in the world, you’ll run into good folks and not so good folks.

There is nothing that I can say is “the worst” but I can say I dislike labour strikes here in France.

What are the best things for travelers to do in your area?

1. Wine tasting (wine is good)

2. Hiking/biking

3. Clubbing (in almost any big city in france, not just paris)

4. Eating!!! – France prides itself solidly on its culinary talent-

5. Theatre/musical events -you can find all genres and price ranges

6. Of course shopping- when in Paris (unlike in New York) you can go to the spring and fall fashion shows without having to be invited. Anyone can go, you just buy a ticket

7. Chateaux galore- France is covered with both big and small

8. Lavender fields- if you are in France in July, definitely try to get to Provence to have a look

What are some of your best and worst travel experiences?

I have been lucky to have enjoyed a lot of wonderful travel experiences… It’s hard to think of any one experience as “best”.

As for the worst travel experience, I’d have to say it was my first trip to China, September 10, 2001. That’s right, on September 11, the day after I had just arrived in Beijing, I discovered what had happened only by watching pictures on a Chinese news station. It took days to find out what exactly happened (in English) and there was still a real fear that more attacks would happen. I was travelling alone and I wasn’t with any other Americans, nor Westerners for that matter. I was there to take Chinese calligraphy lessons, so most of the people I was with were from other Asian countries. While they were polite, there wasn’t much compassion. It was definitely a difficult time for me.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment has not arrived yet but I know what it will be… I hope to start English language schools in some of the poorest African countries and ultimately send native English speakers who have completed our teacher training course to help. I’ve been given many gifts in this life, I’d like to share what I can with others.

Where are you planning on traveling in the future?

In general, I travel between France, Morocco and now Italy regularly throughout the year, as we have English teacher training centers in those countries. So for me, it’s not so exciting anymore. However, I will be making a first time trip to Turkey in the beginning of 2009, and I am most excited.

What do you do with most of your time (hobbies, work, whatever)?

I’m finally at a point in my life where I am happy and I think it’s because at last my work no longer feels like work because I enjoy my work as a teacher/trainer. So to answer your question, I spend a large amount of time working but often it feels like play. And even when it really does feel like work, I enjoy it because it’s centered around living abroad, travel and cultural exchange which are things I love and know a bit about.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Thats hard…everyday is different but typically, I start work at the office at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 4:30 p.m. In the evenings, I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop. I do manage to socialize and I belong to a lot of different clubs. I am quite active with my wine club. We drink heavily about twice a week, all for the sake of promoting wine appreciation.

A lot of my work requires me to be out of the office making arrangements for a training program or collaboration on a project in France, Morocco or Italy. What I like most is being able to meet with a lot of different people all with the aim of helping others.