What were you grateful for this week?

Last week my mom bought me some Gushers which I packed for traveling. I’m so incredibly grateful she did as I’ve been snacking on them this week. Sadly, they are almost gone, but I’m glad that I could at least have some with me here.

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?

Since taking off from San Diego on Monday I have been without service and data and therefore reliant solely upon wifi. As embarrassing as it is to admit, that has been the most challenging thing for me. Multiple times I found myself lost in Paris alone requiring an internet connection to connect with friends so that I could meet up with them. Eventually, each of those problems was worked out, but I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the ease that technology brings and would have brought during those situations.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. (A “wow” moment is when you went the extra mile to do something nice for your host family.)

Today I played and read with the kids. Nothing too crazy since I just got here, but the boys are already adjusting to my presence. The younger of the two is more shy, but the older is so excited for me to be here and already comes and cuddles up to me when we sit.

Tell us about your week!

On Monday I left the United States for Europe. After nearly 22 hours of traveling, I arrived in Paris where I stayed for several days. My friend Parly, an au pair there, was kind enough to let me stay with her and showed me around the city. Wednesday afternoon was spent exploring the Louvre and later we ate crepes on the lawn under the Eiffel Tower. Another au pair in Paris, Sophia, joined Parly and me at Sacre Coure the next morning. We then visited the Musée d’Orsay where I was eventually left alone as Sophia and Parly had to leave.

After I finished at the museum, I realized I had no way of knowing where the three of us were going to meet up later that night. The ensuing scramble for wifi was hilarious, frustrating, and lucky all in one as I proceeded to walk from the Orsay to the Louvre through the Tuileries Garden – a walk in the pouring rain that was lovely and that I wouldn’t have gotten to do otherwise.

Upon reaching the Carrousel du Louvre I got wifi and contacted my friends. It all worked out and we ended up meeting at a Cafe for hot chocolate then called it a night. We got an early start the next morning to plan and carry out a picnic at the Luxembourg Gardens. From there we walked to Norte Dame and then an English bookstore that was as full of charm as it was with novels. Later in the day we grabbed dinner at Châtelet and went once again to the Eiffel Tower. We spent the night at Sophia’s so we could go to Versailles Saturday morning. Most of the day was spent there until we headed for the Arc de Triumph and Champs Élysées to finish my trip. I saw a lot in Paris, but I definitely need to go back and see more.

Concluding my time there, I took a train to Imperia where my host family picked me up. It was so great to finally meet them! Today I got to see where the boys go to school and the road to get there was stunning. We drove along the shoreline and up in the hills. It was absolutely amazing. I’m so excited for what the next week will hold!