Goodbye London, Bonjour Paris!

So after a long car journey followed by a long train journey, I’m finally in France. PARIS! Love of my life. It’s never looked so beautiful! And it is SO. HOT. I’m actually melting. I got off the train in Gare du Nord, Paris (Oh Paris!) and was standing by the public meeting point, waiting for the brother of Caroline who was collecting me. I have no idea of his name, and no idea what he looks like. People are walking past me, and each time I see someone I think ‘Oh god, not him!’ ‘What if it’s him?’. In the end, a tanned French-looking guy (!) came through the station, blonde tousled hair, three-quarter length shorts and a leather jacket. He seemed to be walking towards me, but I was unsure if it was him... You know when you’re looking for someone, and you just GET THAT FEELING when you see the person... even though you don’t actually know if it’s them or not. Yep. And by then he’d walked up to me saying ‘Connie?’ and I attempted to put my 15 years of French to use. 

I’ve officially had my first experience of Parisian traffic. One tip: if you’re stuck or lost in France, just drive forward. And fast! Never have I seen so many small cars whizz by! Scooters and Renault Clio’s are the ‘in’ thing. Petite and cheap. 

Jean-pronounced-JOHN (le frère) took me back to the house in Fonetnay-sous-Bois, showing me his map at each traffic light and explain where we were (in French of course). It was 30 minutes in the car from the station, but by metro to the city centre it’s only 10 minutes. The streets are beautiful, the shops are beautiful. Even all the signs were beautiful – I was so proud that I could read them! 

The house is also extremely beautiful, and VERY typically Parisian. White walls and blue furniture. My room is an Amelie-dream! Duck-egg floorboards (I’ve always wanted to try floorboards), TWO skylights, a TV with DVD and a huge selection of FRENCH Disney films (including ‘Cendrillon’ (Cinderella) 1 & 2!!!). The rest of the family haven’t arrived home yet, so I’m just unpacking, taking photos and trying not to fall asleep on the huge bed. I’m shattered. I took a sneaky peak in the girls’ bedrooms and I’m suddenly very nervous! The older two seem to be going through that pink/black/emo phase, with ‘cute’ skull and cross-bones, Emily the Strange and guitar amps. Their rooms are very artistic and chic though with modern furniture. The presents I bought them don’t look so wonderful now – dainty charm bracelets, butterfly necklaces and birdcages. 

My room: 
 

 

I am so stunned with the house – better than I could ever imagine! However I still haven’t seen the underground cinema and hammam, but who needs THOSE when you have PARIS! (Oh, Paris!)