Oh hello, Paris..

So after 10 1/2 very long hours of traveling I have finally landed in the promised land. I'm completely exhausted and still not sure that this is not just all a dream that I am going to wake up from in an hour.

Despite my severe nerves and fear, the actual travel was a dream. Saying goodbye to my friends and family on the other hand, not so much. Although its only for 3 months I was extremely sad to say goodbye to all my besties. Thank you again for coming out on a Monday night after a very long weekend to bid me farewell. I love you, kittens.

My parents picked me up in Portland yesterday at 12:30, we were on the road for the airport by 1. The ride to the airport was nerve wracking, but not nearly as nerve wracking as when we walked into the international section of Logan airport. I am not a good flier as it is, so going to a foreign country where I don't speak the language is scary enough, but when you add a 6 hour flight on top of that its terrifying. Saying goodbye to my parents and my sister right before security was awful. I obviously cried and cried, then as they walked away I literally had a moment of panic and wanted to run after them. It was kind of one of those what the eff am I doing right now moments! Once I was through security I bee lined it for the bar and immediately began calming my nerves with a Bloody Mary. After a couple of cocktails I was starting to feel a little bit better and even excited.

The plane was huge! It was almost hard to be nervous on a plane that large, it was like being on bus. Shortly after taking my seat I fell into a lovely xanax/vodka induced coma that I did not wake up from for several hours which is a large feat for me, because I DO NOT sleep on planes. I woke up about an hour away from Dublin. Once in Dublin I made it my mission for the hour and a half that I had there to find a Guinness. I was successful in this mission. It was a delicious treat even at 5 in the morning.

Next stop Paris.The second plane was not nearly as luxurious as the first, but for an hour and a half I could deal. I slept uncomfortably on and off until we touched down.

Once off the plane I basically flew through customs. What I thought was going to be a nightmare turned into a man throwing a stamp in my passport and telling me to move on. As soon as I reached the baggage claim my bags were the first ones off. I grabbed all 130 lbs of my luggage and headed for the taxi line. It was easier than I had imagined it would be. To be honest the scariest part of this whole trip to me was getting to where I needed to be. And here I am!

The apartment is adorable as is the sweet little family I'm staying with. After a much needed 2 hour power nap I was ready to do a small amount of exploring. Leila was kind of enough to take me on a walk of the neighborhood to show me where to get the best coffee and freshest baguettes. After that I was ready to do a small amount of exploring myself. My first treat in Paris was the most amazing spinach quiche I've ever tasted in my life. Followed by an ice cream of course. :)

A late dinner with the most darling host family consisting of wine, cheese and bread with a small soup course. Exactly what I needed to on my first night to start feeling like a true Parisian.

Tomorrow I am on to my first day of work!

xoxo
C

My sweet little blogging spot in the corner of my bedroom with the window wide open to the street. <3