I finally arrived in Paris yesterday, after delayed flights, 3 movies and no sleep! All in all it was a successful day of travel with no real problems. When I got to the airport here in Paris, Xavier (the dad), Cecile (the mom) and Arnaud (the 11 yr old boy) were waiting for me with a sign. They all gave me hugs and I almost cried from just being so tired and overwhelmed. Luckily their car was big enough for all my bags and the 4 of us. Xavier let me call home right away and even though I woke my mom up, I think she was happy to know I was safe.
I was pretty quiet in the car because I was so tired I could barely think in English, let alone try to put a sentence together in French. Their house is about a 35 minute drive from the airport, in a town called La Garenne Colombe. I was worried it was going to be far from Paris but it is not at all. You can see the Eiffel Tower from the Parent's bedroom. Once we arrived, Cecile had to go to work, but Xavier had taken the day off to make sure I was settled in. I spent some time unpacking in my little studio.
It is in the back of their house, like a garage but it has a bathroom and a room for me. There is lots of room with a tv and stereo. My bed is a pull out couch but it is quite comfortable. After I unpacked I had a 2 hour nap, because I couldn't function I was so exhausted. I woke up around 2 pm, had lunch with Xavier and Arnaud and then we went for a walk around their house. Pretty much everything I will need while I'm here is within a block's distance, bakeries, butchers, pharmacy, grocery, cafes, bars, and anything else necessary. It is pretty cute and everyone seems friendly.
We went to the Post office to send photocopies of my passport to an office that will validate my Visa, and then we went to get me a phone. I got a blackberry for 1 euro! and with their family discount, my plan won't be very expensive at all.
We got home around 6 30 and by then Cecile had returned and with her Alexandre. He is 14 and very nice also. I spent some time chatting with Arnaud about Harry Potter (he has also read the series several times!) and how some of the characters have different names in French. I am going to try to read the books in french while i'm here.
Cecile made mexican burritos for dinner and they were delicious. We talked about plans for the next few days. Alexandre and Arnaud are going to take me into Paris tomorrow to see the Eiffel tower, and then on Saturday we are maybe going to go to DisneyLand! Sometimes the family got talking and I couldn't follow everything that was being said because it was so fast. I could understand the main stuff, but not all the details!
Philippine, the 6 yr old girl, is staying with her grandparents until tuesday so I will tell you about her when I meet her. Apparently she has been talking about all the things we are going to do together for months. Cecile called her last night and as soon as she answered the phone, she said "put Margaux on the Phone!" She seems adorable and I can't wait to meet her.
Anyways, I am off to the Eiffel Tower now, so tonight I will try to post pictures of my little room and some of the stuff we see today!
Miss everyone already!
xox
M
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