Hawaii to Europe: 5 things this local girl learned about traveling to Europe

Forget the Louvre (it was closed anyway). Skip Rosetta Stone (everyone speaks English, right?). Here are the top 5 key learnings I took away from my winter travels to Europe.

1. Thermal underwear is awesome. And don’t even think that heading over to Old Navy Waikele for that $10 “thermal” long sleeve shirt is going to keep you warm. The best thermal underwear will run you over $25 and is normally found in sporting goods stores. But if can’t bear to spend that kind of money on something you won’t ever wear in Hawaii, try Target Online. The Cuddle Duds for women for $15. Get the Active Wear ones. The outer material is silkier like athletic wear. This will come in handy when you have to slip into your skinny jeans to blend in with the locals. Skinny jeans.  Europeans wear skinny jeans.  Even the men.  And no one wears athletic shoes.  Could I possibly look more like a sloppy American with my cargo pants and Asics?

2. Munich, Germany = Clean. Paris, France = Dirty. Yeah, I said it. And to all you French who just ignored us as we were obviously stuck in the metro station and couldn’t get out through the turnstile, your subway smells.

3. BYOB (Bring your own bag). I bring my own reusable bag to the supermarket and I think I’m single-handedly saving the Earth.  Well, apparently, Europeans have been bringing their own bags for years. And god forbid you forget your bag as you’re checking out because the cashier will send you back into the market to buy a $2 plastic bag while everyone else in line gives you the stink eye (evil eye for you non-Hawaii locals).

4. Europeans love yogurt and Nutella. Completely useless information, but very delightful for me.  Yogurt took up two entire refrigerated aisles at the Carrefour.  And Nutella was everywhere, which was my excuse for putting it on everything.

5.  The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. But Pylones is open!