Queues, Custard and Cats

An unfortunate but necessary aspect of wanting to stay in France for longer than 3 months is that one needs to obtain a residency permit. Yesterday I went to the Préfecture to start the process. Armed with all my possible papers I entered the large flashy building through several metal detectors and made my way to the back. Once I had found the appropriate queue - placed nicely by the side exit in a big cold draft - I took my place and waited, and waited. An hour and a half later I finally reached the front whereby my passport was checked and I was given my appointment time on a little slip of paper. It's not until May so hopefully the painful memory will have faded.
After marching home via the Grande Arche de la Defense - which was incredible! i'll take my camera there soon - I bought custard flan for lunch and ate my irritation away.
I spent the afternoon meeting the other two children and playing cat and mouse in the park. Going to the park is a funny thing because most of the kids are obviously there with a nanny. And the french nannys all know each other and sit there talking while their wards run around. So because I'm the only grownup grubbing around in the sandpit and playing cat and mouse we seem to attract a small crowd of toddlers who want to join in.

I didn't spot Quasimodo

Had a brief peek into Notre Dame, the number of tourists was phenomenal as it is school holidays. I think this dude with the microphones was giving a press conference.

Sophie et le Tour Eiffel

Sophie et le Tour Eiffel
Originally uploaded by nz fille.

I can hardly believe that it has not even been a week since I left! I think it is because there is so much to take in here that I feel as though I have been experiencing Paris for weeks and weeks already.
Sunday here was drizzly and cold, so I enjoyed a very brisk tour around the Latin Quarter with my neighbour and then we had lunch in a bright and cheery bistro. My first ever croque-madame and it was so delicious - while I was eating it I decided that any visitors I get will have to be taken out for a taste of this chewy cheesy goodness. So all fueled up on croque we visited 'Le Musée de l'Homme' (Museum of Man/Humanity). There we viewed a very vast and unusual collection including such oddities as the skeleton of the tallest man to have lived, a giant prehistoric molar, mummified bodies, a preserved head. Eep, it was bizarre in the extreme, the highlight was the fantastic view of Paris from the upper level.
That evening attended a french service at an anglican church. There were lots of young people of many different nationalities, had a great time. Lessons in French slang over a bowl of pasta with Léo (neighbour). Quick explanation of housing - it's a large appartment building but I share a foyer and toilet with two others, Léo who is a real sweetie and family friend of 'my' family and another woman who I have yet to meet but who does vacuuming and loud talking on the phone at 6 in the morning.

Que c'est belle!!!

Town Hall of Neuilly (my suburb)
Originally uploaded by nz fille.

today was magnifique. Having slept from 4pm yesterday afternoon until the sun came up (I had planned on a short nap but my jet-lagged body had other ideas) I was ready to get out and do some serious sightseeing. I had a list of things to do - ethernet cable: check, so now I have internet. Buy a monthly metro pass: check. Find my language school: failed miserably.
I started with a walk into town, For those of you who know Paris, I live in Neuilly, which is between la Defense and the arc de triomphe. Takes about 30 min to walk to the arc and then I continued along Champs elysees until I reached the Louvre. There seemed a surprising number of tourists around, all wrapped up in their big coats - and it really wasn't that cold! Nothing on Dunedin in July. From the Louvre I ducked off and into the Marais district, a fantastic little network of narrow streets, cosy cafes, gorgeous architecture, galleries, vintage shops. I was eager to find the tiny shop where I bought my 'Paris dress' last visit. I did but it was literally too packed for me to get in the door, so after straining my neck in and gazing longingly at a pile of tweed caps and vintage shoes for a few moments, I decided to return another day.
Wandered past the Centre Georges Pompidou ( modern art museum) and checked out the outdoor sculpture and the street performers. Found the BHV, a little like mitre10 mega but instead of sprawling out it goes up, and it's ever so chic for a shop full of extension cords and power tools. Made purchase of necessary cable, marvelled at number of ailses selling lightbulbs alone. I may have then been distracted into H&M ( ladies, spring fashion this year is very 60s inspired, think Breakfast at Tiffany's, Twiggy, short shift-dresses, gold lame, purples, oranges.)
Gosh I am droning on rather...have spent a lovely evening with my new friend and neighbour, me pracitising my French and she her english.
9.47pm! My latest night yet.
bonne nuit

ooh la la!

Yes, I kid you not, this is where I am!
Outside the Louvre
Arc de Triomphe - but sideways!
The Sophie has landed ‘sur seine’. The flight was fairly hideous due to my inability to sleep but watching 4 movies in a row was fun. The stop-over in Dubai was short but fascinating, looking down on the city as we took off I kind of wished I taken longer stopover.
I arrived in a blue-skied Paris at mid-day, customs was a breeze, a glance at the passport, a quick stamp and I was in (to those who prayed for me a big thanks!) The father of the children I’ll be caring for picked me up from the airport and we drove very fast through Paris and to their home. I had forgotten the smell of French cities, it’s not at all unpleasant just entirely different to home, I shall be walking around talking big sniffing gulps for days to come.
I have actually had to repress squeals of delight in order to maintain my air of cool, calm confidence. I’m not sure where to start but so far SO GOOD!!!!
Lets get some bullet point action happening so y’all don’t get bored,

Here goes: An overview of squeal-inducing moments.

* I now live one block from the Seine river on a tree-lined street.

* My apartment is wonderful, like a dolls house (cosy!) and very modern (white everywhere).

* Crusty baguette with butter, home-made chocolate mousse, 4 varieties of cheese (I actually have to rave about one called ‘lapoisse’, so soft you needed a spoon to attack it and the most amazing flavour, yum!) A beautiful red wine, whole baked sea bass.

* Across the street from me are some gorgeous examples of mansions built during Baron Haussman’s extensive renovations of the city in the mid 19th century. I am a bit of a geek when it comes to the history of Paris, and promise to torture readers with many more tidbits of this sort.

* Two of the children are away on school holidays, but the one I have met is adorable, cheeky and has heaps of character.
I should stop now, time to set out and do some exploring!

Au revoir NZ

I'm going to the airport in half an hour. I'm looking forward to flying but have got some serious butterflies in my tum. Weehee! next post from Paris my friends!
Here's a quote from Al Gore I happened to see this morning:
"Airplane travel is nature's way of making us look like our passport photos."
Can't wait.

Ready, Set, Go.

Finally! There has been some serious movement in the French direction over the past few days. First was the excruciating wait for my work permit,(for future reference, a courier from France to NZ takes at least 8 days!) and then the nerve wracking phone call from the embassy: "ah, I cannot find zee file with your passport - do you know where eet eez?", sure thing buddy, second drawer down on the left, red folder. It was finally unearthed and arrived back in my hands today - visa completed!
So I have a flight leaving Christchurch on the 21st, i've begun the sad goodbyes, and realised that even though i've given away armloads of clothes the left-overs are so not going to fit in my suitcase.
The long-range forecast is for 9 degrees on the day I arrive. Just like Dunedin today, so i'll be fine.