Je suis ici!

First day in France! Success!

It is much easier to write about travel, about plane rides and train rides and people you meet and jetlag and le francais, And we'll get to that, than it is to write about my week(s) before arriving here. It was a time full of nostalgia and sad goodbyes to people, places, and things that I love. It certainly wasn't the first time I've said goodbye, but time and distance and lack of connection/understanding between this world and the one that I came from makes these goodbyes all the sharper. But in some ways sweeter, too. Sweeter because I leave with a sense of knowing that what I leave behind is precious. I don't regret where I am. The sight of the Paris streets and shops coupled with dealing with the matters at hand, whatever they be, quickly begins to wash away some of the nostalgia. But before it is washes away further and tucks itself in the back of mind, I wanted to note that it was there. And there is a love and appreciation for home that I will carry with me as I begin these new adventures. And I didn't write about it before because it's hard and it makes me sad.

But the sadness did not stop me from being excited when they called my name to give me a seat on the plane yesterday evening! That plane was booked full and I was hopeful but not overly expectant for getting a seat. But man I wanted to. I had already gotten myself siked and ready to go. Then, for the first time in ages, I heard my name pronounced in a beautiful and spirit raising french accent as they called me up to "receive my ticket" as she said it in French. I imagine they made the announcement in English too but I don't remember it. I was still hanging on the excitement of realizing that they had actually called my name, and that it was being said like that! Heart racing, all my sadness was momentarily dashed as I locked onto the idea that I was really going! Right now! It was happening!
And now, here I am sitting in a 6th floor studio apartment in Paris staying with a dear friend who was kind enough to take me in for a couple days before I head to Nice. I'm quite content. And sleepy. I might travel well in many senses, but jetlag is often a victorious opponent. But after my 6 hour nap, I feel just fine. :)


A bientot!