Branching Out: Paris edition

    Finally, It was a day that everyone imagines (even me) when I say I'm moving to Paris.  I tagged along with a fellow Disney spouse on a trip to the area of Paris known as Le Marais.  I met two new friends, including one that lives in the same area as our long term place!  We wandered in and out of little stores and shops.  Found some cute little alleyways and even saw the remnants of the original medieval  wall of the city.  It was finally a break from the rain and the sun peeked out several times through out the day.   For lunch we stopped in the Jewish district.  It was delicious middle eastern food and pretty too.  Good food, new friends, and sunshine.  I couldn't ask for a better day.

       We got confirmation on our apartment late in the day yesterday.  I decided to give myself a day off from all the moving/apartment prep and had a Netflix binge with a hot baguette and some cheese... And a little wine. Totally forgot Paris is the same latitude as Seattle, and I left Seattle for a reason.  Already tired of the gray drizzle.

  Friday was the first sunny day we had in Paris.  I made a friend (yea!) and we walked along the river chatting and enjoying the sunshine.  After a week of gray skies and drizzle the sunshine really lifted my spirits.  And having a new walking buddy made me feel like I'm moving forward in the process of settling in.   Fast Forward to Saturday morning... We had plans to meet at a playground near the Eiffel Tower for a playdate.  As we were getting ready to leave, it started snowing!  Snow is rare in Paris and having it stick is even more special.  The playground had great climbing equipment but the boys spent most of the time making snow balls.   What a swing in the weather but both were great experiences.

    Today was a huge day.  We looked at 8 different apartments.    I was discouraged after the first 3.  I couldn't imagine living in any off them.  All the apartments were in very residential areas on the very edge of the city.  All had Paris quirks as well.  Things like great closet space, but all the closets are in the hallways, none are in the bedrooms.  One smelled so much of smoke, I had a headache within minutes.  It wasn't until the 4th apartment that we felt was a viable option. At the end of the day, we picked a modern apartment that has a great location.  Scott will be able to walk to the train station he needs, and parking is included.  Since it is a modern building, the apartment doesn't have the old world Paris charm but it is going to work very well for our family.  The boys are settling to to school very well.  When they got home today, they shared the books each had checked out of the school libr...

Today the boys had their second first day of school.  Lets face it, going back to school this fall was rather horrible since we didn't go anywhere.  They were so excited to get their backpacks ready, have their lunches packed.  Only had Mom jump through a couple of hoops to find bread that wasn't too different and the right jelly; bought the most expensive peanut butter of my life.     They both had great days!  They made friends.  They played at recess.  And they were out of the house! While the boys were at school, I was on a mission to find lunch boxes.  I swear I packed them, but they are more buried in a box than anticipated.  My wild goose chase lead me way out side the city to an area known as La Defense.  Westfield has a shopping mall out there.  I got to see the Grand Arch, which is a landmark I had never made the time to visit before.  But, did not find lunch boxes.  Maybe every French kids gets hot lunch at...

    First day in Paris went remarkable well.  It was a bit of a rough night with the boys up and down like pogo sticks from about 1:30-3:00.  Eventually I gave up my bed to Kenyon, the full combat snuggler.    We found a great playground just down the street from our temp apartment.  The boys loved climbing and playing but had to balance the desire for a good grip with the warmth of mittens.     We stood at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower (unfortunately not open to go up inside).  Quimby was determined he was going to run up the stairs until he saw how tall it actually was.  Then we walked along the river Seine and I pointed out various sights.   The day ended with the boys orientation at their new school, which they start in person on Monday!  After having to pick a school based on websites alone, I'm feeling very good about the choice.  The boys got to see the art room and music room as well as meet their teache...

  Those who have even moved overseas can tell you it is difficult in the best of circumstances even to a highly desirable place like Paris.  Finding myself reflecting on this move, with no pre-relo trip, in the midst of a Pandemic, with funding turned on and off several times and finally only having 8 weeks to do everything involved has definitely pushed me to the max.  But it happened!  We are here.    After initial visa delays which resulted in 2 COVID tests (my aren't they comfortable) we boarded our flight on January 6, 2021.  It was a pretty good way to start the new year.  The boys commented on how fancy it is to fly Business class.  Even with the spaced out seats, reduced services, and having to wear a mask for the entire 11 hour flight, it was still a very nice experience. We are adapting and finding the limitations of our temporary housing.  There are no drawers.  9 closets, but no drawers.  It makes it a little diffic...