We landed at Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday around 8am, expecting a shuttle to pick us up. However, communication didn't happen between our hotel and the shuttle service. After about an hour and a half wait, the shuttle arrived. By the time we got through the Parisian traffice and arrived at our hotel, we missed 2 showings for apartments. We had a few minutes to check into our room, grab a bite from the market across the street, and head out to look at apartments. I think we looked at 7 apartments on Tuesday. We found one, and it is awesome!
We'll be living in the 7th arrondissement on the 4th (technically the 5th) floor of a classic French apartment. Here is the view from our small balcony.
We have a 15 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower, several Metro stations within a couple minute walk, and plenty of shops, markets, butchers, etc. within walking distance.
Since we found an apartment on Tuesday, we spent Wednesday and Thursday walking around the city. We walked to the Arc de Triomphe and then down the Champs-Elysees. Everything was decorated for Christmas. It was beautiful. There were several "Village de Noel"s setup in the city with food, goods, and plenty of vin chaud (hot wine) to keep everyone warm.
Oh... and we also saw that big tower that is famous in Paris.
We spent Thursday wandering around the "new neighborhood", just so that we kind of know what's around when we move. The next time we're in Paris, we arrive with 2 kids and 2 dogs in tow, so knowing where to get the necessities is key. Oh... and I got us lost. I made the blunder of assuming that streets ran at 90 degree angles in Paris. Not at all. We ended up about a 20 minute walk away from where we'd intended to go. In the rain... in mid-30 degree temperatures.
We flew home on Friday. It was a great week, exactly what we needed. We have a place, we know we can survive in the city with limited French language, and we are comfortable. There are 2 things I've heard about Paris that are completely wrong. First, several people told me the city is dirty. That is not the case at all. I'm not saying I've seen the entire city, but I saw a lot and it was far from dirty. Second, most people thing French people are rude. I don't think I encountered a rude person all week. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful. Hey, they put up with a couple of Americans that really know none of the local language. How tolerant are we of others coming to the US in that situation?
We still don't have a move date. Waiting for the details of when my work visa will clear. Hopefully we'll have an answer to a move date soon.
Amazing! So glad you found the apartment and had time to begin learning the neighborhood!
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