We arrived at the apartment at the scheduled time, only to wait. We had some croissants with us (picked up on the way from our local boulangerie, near the Solferino metro station) but those took about two minutes to eat (hungry, jet lagged people love carbs in general but French carbs are the best!) so we spent about half an hour in the rain … just waiting.
We got let into the building by the concierge, Nabilla. She turned out to be lovely. Made us feel quite welcome.
Curt and I first just lingered as we waited for our appointed person to come give us the keys but then seeing it could be awhile, just started settling in. But kiddo found his own spot in his room, and settled in to read more of the Ranger’s Apprentice. When I went to take a picture of him quietly reading in his book, he looked up. (He looks tired, doesn’t he… We all are!)
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We had five big bags to check (along with two bags each to carry on the flight), so the limo company sent a stretch limo. Very big, very grand, but also silly.
Our drive to the airport.
On the other side, arriving in Paris, the driver of a Mercedes SUV was able to fit all 11 pieces of luggage and the four of us. We were only a little bit scrunched. But the difference between USA and EU was evident.
So happy to be here.
I got sentimental when we were on the jetway, tearing up. I think it was the fact we were leaving our closest friends.
Lingered on the idea that on this coming Monday afternoon, I wouldn’t be doing a walkntalk with my best friend Katie Keating. We have been doing it for months now. Through the chaos of the move, it had become the constant. And I just choked up with the people I would miss, the routines that were now gone.
Kiddo saw the tear fall, and asked why I was sad. When I told him that we were leaving so many friends behind, and a place I’ve lived in since I was 4 and a half, he said to me, “Yes, it’s true we’re leaving a great place. But we are going to an even better place. *Paris*. And we’ll make new friends.”
So, yes, we are departing. But … Also, arriving.
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Chez Soi 