Alexi Jones
- During my semester abroad, I spent three days in Paris with my grandparents and their friends.We mixed structure with spontaneity, and I enjoyed seeing the city through their eyes.I learned so much about my grandparents from observing them during the trip.
When I decided to study abroad in Ireland in 2024, I expected lots of pubs, great music, rainy days, and a fair share of homesickness.
What I didn't expect was that one of the best parts of my semester would be a three-day trip to Paris — with my grandparents.
Shortly after I'd arranged my semester abroad, I learned that my grandparents would be in Europe at the same time as me. Although most of their trip would be spent on a river cruise, they'd have a few free days in Paris, and I immediately knew I had to meet them there.
My grandparents were excited but also a bit nervous. They'd traveled plenty of times before, but this would be their first time in Paris, and they had little experience visiting countries where English isn't the primary language.
Plus, they were traveling with more than 50 people around their age (my grandparents were 73 years old at the time), most of whom they didn't know. So, they were worried I might not like traveling with "the old folks."
Little did they know, they had nothing to worry about.
I enjoyed slowing down and embracing a mix of structure and spontaneity
Alexi Jones
Leading up to the trip, my grandparents and I decided to plan at least one activity each day to provide some structure, but leave the rest of our time open to wander. We also chose to make balancing time with their friend group and each other a priority.
Initially, they worried this arrangement might slow me down or cause me to do less in the city, but I found that it allowed me to appreciate where I was and savor our moments together.
Often, the three of us would have breakfast together, then meet up with the group for sightseeing in the afternoon.
Traveling with an older group meant that I made a couple of accommodations I wouldn't have normally made when traveling solo, like using ride-hailing services instead of walking or relying on public transit.
This was definitely more expensive, but it was nice not having to grapple with the stress of navigating an unfamiliar city's transit system, and we felt it made it easier for all of us to stay together.
Throughout the trip, I even found myself slowing down to take in small moments, like a man playing his violin on our way to the Arc de Triomphe. I also stopped to take pictures of my grandparents' friends during the day.
One of my favorite memories was walking through Sacré-Cœur Basilica, taking in the views of Paris, and wandering the Montmartre district, popping into a café for coffee, and spending time in local shops.
I've always tried to slow down and travel with intention, but my grandparents gave me the nudge I needed to actually follow through. It wasn't that they literally moved slowly, it was that they had the wisdom to know there was no need to rush.
That mindset quietly seeped into me, and I was grateful for it when we opted to hire a tour guide to walk us through the Louvre. I was able to have a greater appreciation for the art than I think I would've if we'd just winged it on our own.
Another highlight was a girls' dinner I had with my grandma and her friends. I got to hear all of their stories from when they were my age, and watching them joke around and make friends with the waiter was both hilarious and endearing. They were all so encouraging of my travels, telling me to continue seeking out new places and experiences.
It was fun to see new places through each other's eyes
Alexi Jones
There's a well-known adage that you don't really know a person until you travel with them.
I constantly found myself watching my grandparents throughout the trip to see what architecture caught their eye or what paintings and sculptures interested them at the Louvre. It was also interesting to see how they interacted with their friends.
Although we've always been close, I now know that my grandparents are more adventurous than they're given credit for. I know that my grandpa appreciates a good red wine, and my grandma loves a whiskey sour. I know that my grandpa and I both think comfortable silence is underrated. And I know that my grandma and I like to have a sweet treat in the morning to accompany our coffee.
I think my grandparents may have learned a few things about me, too, from the French skills I'd been practicing in college to how to use Uber and eSIMs.
Travel has always helped me learn about myself, but I'm so grateful to have walked away from this trip knowing even more about — and feeling even closer to — my grandparents.
