Welcome to Paris

Having kids enrolled at an International school means not only bidding your farewells to friends every year at the end of June but you also get to meet all kinds of wonderful new families that arrive at the beginning of the school year every September.

As a personal tradition I have taken on the organization of a Welcome morning sharing useful information and some fun anecdotes about life in Paris to make new parents feel more at ease with their surroundings. Many of them don't speak French and feel far out of their comfort zone.

Every year I line up various speakers who offer their advice and practical tips on how to overcome what seem like huge hurdles but are much less intimidating once you know what you are dealing with and how the system works... because there is a system to the madness!

I could happily sit back and carry on my little routine given that we are now into our sixth year in Paris but I like stepping out and offering my help and expertise. I am a curious person. I like to meet new people, discover unknown places, travel to foreign countries and learn a new language. But since it does not look like we will be moving anywhere soon; if the world does not come to me I need to go to the world!

So, bienvenue newcomers and welcome to Paris!

Still exploring Paris ...

3, 2, 1 ... Gooooooo! A new school year is kicking off today and I have just arrived from our summer base in Madrid to Paris by car. Yes, that would be 1052 km! Apart from endless hours of driving through open Spanish and French plains it gives me plenty of time to think. To contemplate on the summer gone by, the kids growing up, the year ahead and the cycle of expatriation.

Heading into our 6th year in Paris, I have come to terms with the idea that our travelling days are over. You might think: Paris is not a bad place to call home... true... and I am certainly not complaining, on the contrary I love the hustle and bustle of this city.

It's just, once an expat always an expat and it is hard to ignore that itchy feeling that creeps up during the third or fourth year which makes you want to sniff some adventurous unfamiliar breeze coming your way.

Well, it's not happening. At the kids' school I am practically part of the furniture and happy to give all the newcomers a helping hand. As for the rest of Parisian life, I have carved myself a little space in the city of lights and filled it with local friends, favourite bistrots, routine sports activities, secret getaways and a whole load of time for exploring... because no matter how long you live in Paris, there if always something new to discover.

On the road again ... 1200km to Paris

Close your eyes and listen

This is it. Time to close up our family house in Madrid and head back to Paris. We've spent yet another wonderful summer full of action as well as plenty of R&R. We blinked and the summer has come to an end. It is time to say goodby to friends and neighbours when it seems like we have just arrived.

Today, lying at the pool (yes, life is tough around here) I closed my eyes and listened to all the familiar sounds that remind me of summer and that I will miss back in France.

I will miss the scrap dealer driving past with his rattling truck shouting out Chatarrerooooo. Only in Spain!
The Spanish workers - because there is always something to repair in the neighbourhood - banging away while they argue which way is best, will be missed a little less.
Will I miss the gardner with his leaf blowing machine that wakes me up early on Friday mornings like clockwork? Yes, I will miss his kind smile when he wishes me Good Morning in his Moroccan lilt.
I will miss the birds chirping VERY loudly in the trees as if they were having an argument every morning. Spanish style!
I will miss listening to another neighbour's regular swimming strokes in the communal pool every morning and late at night from my bedroom.
Not sure I will miss the little Irish kid the other side of the gardens who is always yelling rather than talking!
I will miss one of my neighbours extremely cool jazz music which he plays during lunchtime when I am suntanning making the most of the deserted pool area.
I will remember the silence and absolute peace I treasure while hanging by the pool when everybody else is behind closed shutters enjoying their siesta time.
I will miss the trees swaying in the summer breeze.
I'll miss the clinking of plates and glasses while tables are being set on neighbouring terrasses and hearing the laughter from afar affirming their fun gatherings.
I will miss the automatic water irrigation going off at night telling me it is time for bed.

But most of all my neighbours are going to miss MY entertainment, for my Sex-and-the-City girlfriends and I have provided them with pow-wow lunches full of juicy, fun, creative, thoughtful, sad and sometimes profound conversations over past two months that they without a doubt have listened into.

Greek rhapsody

What can I say... I am in love with Greece...

the food

the sea

the history

the chilling

the beaches

the hospitality

the nature

the smells 

the time out

the sunsets

the little harbours

the cobblestones

the attitude 

the architecture

the views

 the alphabet

On holiday...

Registered to vote

I did it. I FINALLY did it! I registered to vote and requested an absentee ballot. This is a huge deal for me.

For months most of us have been following the Trump saga... thanks to extensive media coverage the entire world now knows that the US holds presidential nominating conventions to field nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. It has been an incredible reality show for all of us to follow.

But enough is enough! Usually, I avoid talking politics, it's just not my thing!

However, as one of my Swiss friend's father once told me: "We are lucky enough to live in a free country therefore we must vote to defend that right." His words have stuck with me for decades.

Swiss are world champion voters and go to the polls on average every 6 weeks. Switzerland's voting system is unique among modern democratic nations in that Switzerland practices direct democracy in parallel with representative democracy, which is why the Swiss system is known as a semi-direct democracy.

I have never voted in the US but a certain Facebook post by a dear American friend got me thinking. My friends know that I am never the one to stay still and do nothing.

So, here I am - standing to defend what I believe in - knowing my Dad would be incredibly proud of me.

Best Expat Blog in Paris: Last call

The 2016 Best of Paris is a campaign running until tomorrow with the objective of identifying the Best of Paris companies, services and experiences.

Only 18 more hours to go before Expatriates Magazines closes the polls. There are 18 of us competing for Best Expat Blog... and I am one of them.

Feeling very proud and thankful for all the recognition. I am humbled to be considered as one of the best representative of Paris' Expat blogging community.

I might be small but I'm on the map!!! Thanking my readers for all your support.

The vote is still on, so go ahead and make my day!

http://www.best-in.paris/best-expat-blog/

A very busy summer...

So, do I dare to say it? Something no blogger is ever allowed to admit out loud... but why not? The truth is I am on holiday and just too busy to blog.

The summer holiday is suppose to give me time to read all those articles I have pinned, bookmarked and messaged even e-mailed to myself over the past months and never have time to read. Part of my holiday planning was to finally order a printed version of my blogs as a future keepsake. I have a booklist a mile long and my playlists have not been updated in over a year.

Instead I am spending my time running back and forth to the giant Carrefour down the road stocking up on food and drinks.... and you know what? I am loving every minute of it. Why?

Because since our arrival in Madrid we have had a constant full house of family and friends with many mouths to feed, many beds to be made, many dinners to host, many giggles to share, some tears to dry but most of all many unforgettable memories to hold the day we drive back to Paris.

So, please excuse me if my blogging is lagging behind a bit...

Happy August 1st

Enjoying the sun

Very busy in Spain...

Yeahhhhh, finally after a very long drive from Paris... 

we have reached the Mediterranean... 

and we're soo ready to have a dip!

Barcelona's basilica is a never ending construction... since 1882!

Happy Hour along the beach... make it exotic, please!

The Osborne bull... 

initially a billboard, it has exceeded its advertising sense 

and has been integrated into the landscape.

Heading towards Madrid and it seems we are hit by a sand storm from Northern Africa, really!

Viva l'España!

15 hours of guaranteed sunshine a day

Average temperature 38°C... and loving it!

Best of Paris: Expat Blog Nomination

I am totally excited and feel immensely honoured to have made it to Expatriates Magazine's list of "Best Expat blog in Paris" nomination. I am competing with sixteen other Parisian bloggers some of which are seriously heavyweight such as David Leibovitz, Inspirelle, Mama loves Paris and Les Lolos.

My best score two weeks ago was 14% honing in at No.2. In the meantime I have slipped down to 2% just ahead of Thank you Paris and Best Adventure but it doesn't matter.

What matters is the confirmation that people out there are reading my blog and I am on the radar of the Parisian Expat blog scene! A fact I still have difficulty in believing for some reason but I do not know why!

Maybe from now on I will start answering that I AM a blogger next time someone asks me what I do! After nearly six years of blogging it has still not quite entered my mind that I might actually be a real blogger after all rather than just blogging!!!

The vote is still on, so go ahead and make my day!

http://www.best-in.paris/best-expat-blog/

Going behind the scenes...

Another invitation I could not refuse... it was over a month ago but nevertheless a story worth sharing.

Back in 2014, the first editions of "Les Journées Particulières" showcased the amazing diversity of profession and expertise at LVMH companies. The third edition invited visitors for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most emblematic sites of the finest French craftsmanship.

I was lucky enough to take a peak at Christian Dior's rich heritage normally inaccessible to the public in its haute couture salons on Avenue Montaigne. The LVMH Group was proud to showcase its savoir-faire, reveal its creations and allow its people to share their passion for excellence with a wider audience. 

The event unveiled an impressive wealth of heritage, know-how and perfectionism that is passed on from one generation to the next. Strolling through the salons I enjoyed demonstrations of artisanal skills, stimulated talks as well as interactive itineraries. During the evening I admired expertise and talent that were unmatched and truly unique, craftsmanship delicate and precious, and extreme attention to detail...

... and closing my eyes for a moment I truly felt like Lady Dior!

Catching an Uber feeling like a filmstar

The staircase of the Haute Couture salons

The two ladies have been working for Christian Dior for over 30 years!

Exquisite, delicate and enchanting!

Devilishly glamorous!

Every creation has its mini model...

... exposed on a mini mannequin.

A close-up of the delicate needlework

Mr. Christian Dior' passion and trademark: flowers

This is for my girls

The following video is just too cool not to share on my blog. It is not about Paris or Expats but should get you smiling or even moving to the groove. It is linked to an initiative I feel very passionate about: Education.

In March 2015, the First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let Girls Learn to address the range of challenges preventing adolescent girls across the globe from attaining a quality education that empowers them to reach their full potential.

But Michelle Obama did not stop there, this spring she enlisted a major girl squad to sing the power anthem "This Is For My Girls." The song, which was inspired by the Let Girls Learn initiative and the 62 million girls around the world who do not have access to education, features Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliott, Jangle Monáe, Kelly Rowland, Zendaya, Lea Michele, Chloe x Halle, and Jadagrace.

While the First Lady is not featured on "This Is For My Girls," it was a natural fit for her to join James Corden for a Carpool Karaoke segment to sing the song and celebrate the power of musical activism.

Now, I don't know about you, but my vote definitely goes to the current first lady!