Hello all,
I haven't been on for a while because I've been seriously pursuing jobs in Paris. Well, I had a couple of close calls, but no cigar! Personally I think it is ridiculous how difficult it is. I was advised to look to U.S. companies with offices in Paris because it would be easier. Some of these companies are jerks. They have to know how difficult it is and know that someone gave them an opportunity but are not willing to give anyone else an opportunity. But I digress.
So people, I have made a decision.....I'm going to move to Paris by the end of 2013 whether I have found a job or not!
I talked to my current employer and he will allow me to work remotely for awhile, so I've decided to go for it. Once I'm in Paris, it should be easier to network and find work locally. And if I'm ever in a position as a hiring manager, I will definitely remember how difficult finding work in Paris is and help someone fulfill their dreams.
Now I'm going into my serious planning phase. Gonna need to get a long-stay visa for my kids and myself, find a school or my son (or homeschool), find an apartment in a decent area and settle my affairs here in Texas.
This is a big move and it is both frightening and exhilerating. Are you guys excited for me???!!!!
I'm going to sign out for now but will keep you updated as I get closer to my Destination...Paris!
Mwah!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Préparation
If planning to move to Paris, such as myself, lots of planning and preparation is necessary.
I had already begun my research and making sure I had the information I needed.
Th websites (http://www.intransit-international.com/home_moving_paris_france.html) (http://www.expatarrivals.com/france/working-in-france), ware proving to be very helpful in providing information that I need. They have lots of information that you can view on their website.
The first thing I feel I need to do is create a 'Moving to Paris' checklist. This way I can stay on track with my goals
1. Finding a job
2. Renting an apartment
5. Finding a school for my son
7. Transportation plans
8. Bringing a pet
9. Continuing French education
10. Adjusting to Parisian life
As I proceed through my checklist, I'll keep you up to date with how things are going.
Cross your fingers for me!!
I had already begun my research and making sure I had the information I needed.
Th websites (http://www.intransit-international.com/home_moving_paris_france.html) (http://www.expatarrivals.com/france/working-in-france), ware proving to be very helpful in providing information that I need. They have lots of information that you can view on their website.
The first thing I feel I need to do is create a 'Moving to Paris' checklist. This way I can stay on track with my goals
1. Finding a job
- Without a finding a job, everything else is only research; for me a job is a necessity
- As a non-European, we are required to have a job secured BEFORE moving to Paris and must establish French residency (carte de séjour).
2. Renting an apartment
- For my situation, I felt that a long-term furnished rental would be ideal for me and my kids. At least 1 bathroom, 1-2 bedrooms, internet access and air-conditioning .
- My preferred arrondissements (districts) are Les Halles, Marais or Montmarte, but as long as it is safe, I'm open (ugh, I hate the 7th....so boring).
- Good thing to know, zip code lets you know the district (e.g. 75008 is 8th district, 75015 is 15th district...and so on).
- I'm hoping to find an apartment with utilities included.
5. Finding a school for my son
- Since I'm hoping to be in the city center, the schools I'm researching for my son (now 15) are:
- If none of these schools work, I will do homeschooling.
7. Transportation plans
8. Bringing a pet
9. Continuing French education
10. Adjusting to Parisian life
As I proceed through my checklist, I'll keep you up to date with how things are going.
Cross your fingers for me!!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
La fin est ici (The end is here)
Day 7
My daughter offers to pay for a taxi from the hotel to CDG....sure, why not?
We notify the front desk and when we go to check out there is a taxi waiting for us.
It is early, my favorite time of day in Paris, and we ride through the city to the freeway, heading to the airport. The taxi drops us at our gate (about $50 for taxi to airport)...they take Visa.
We get security and get checked in....first 3 on the standby list again. Then we look around the airport and wait for our departure. I find the shop I went to the year before to see if I could find the frog bank that had been stolen from my bag the year before but could not find the bank.
Our flight boards, we're sad to leave Paris but happy in first class. I get my glass of champagne and when we have taken off, recline in my seat.
I spend the next 9 hours as a princess again, being pampered and spoiled...and annoyed by one a-hole male flight attendant. He was so bad that the female attendant kept apologizing for his behavior.
We get to DFW airport, catch our Parking Spot shuttle back to the parking lot and head home.
This trip was well worth it. My preparation made sure we were ready for any surprises we experienced and though our plans were thrown off and we didn't get to see everything we wanted to, we had a great time.
On the flight the kids kept talking about what we would do on our next trip and said they now understand why I love Paris so much.
So from then I set a new goal. I now want to move to Paris permanently and have begun my process by first trying to find a job as according to my research that is the most difficult part.
Stay tuned as I continue to keep you up on my mission of : Destination...Paris
My daughter offers to pay for a taxi from the hotel to CDG....sure, why not?
We notify the front desk and when we go to check out there is a taxi waiting for us.
It is early, my favorite time of day in Paris, and we ride through the city to the freeway, heading to the airport. The taxi drops us at our gate (about $50 for taxi to airport)...they take Visa.
We get security and get checked in....first 3 on the standby list again. Then we look around the airport and wait for our departure. I find the shop I went to the year before to see if I could find the frog bank that had been stolen from my bag the year before but could not find the bank.
Our flight boards, we're sad to leave Paris but happy in first class. I get my glass of champagne and when we have taken off, recline in my seat.
I spend the next 9 hours as a princess again, being pampered and spoiled...and annoyed by one a-hole male flight attendant. He was so bad that the female attendant kept apologizing for his behavior.
We get to DFW airport, catch our Parking Spot shuttle back to the parking lot and head home.
This trip was well worth it. My preparation made sure we were ready for any surprises we experienced and though our plans were thrown off and we didn't get to see everything we wanted to, we had a great time.
On the flight the kids kept talking about what we would do on our next trip and said they now understand why I love Paris so much.
So from then I set a new goal. I now want to move to Paris permanently and have begun my process by first trying to find a job as according to my research that is the most difficult part.
Stay tuned as I continue to keep you up on my mission of : Destination...Paris
Champs Elysees
Day 6...The end is near.
This day we decide to walk Paris. We first go to the Left Bank. Because it is August and most Parisians are on vacation there were not a lot of artists there. We found some keepsakes and then walked toward the National Academy of Music. While there we see someone in a chicken suit, think it is funny and then I take pictures of the kids with the 'chicken'. The lady in the suit then asks for money. It was one of those gypsy ladies, or whatever they are. We give her a couple of Euros and then move on, stopping by a shoe store and my daughter and I each got a pair of shoes. I told the sales lady I wanted then in Negro, but my son corrected me and said, no it is Noir.
We go to the Galleries LaFayette. My daughter is a bit of a fashionista, so she is in heaven at that point. She buys some French parfume and then we walk around the mall. After a while, we need to use the bathroom....but can't find it. We search and search and search. Need to use the bathroom bad....we finally find it on the 5th or 6th floor, I forget. You would think a mall that size would have a bathroom on every floor....NO.
We leave there and go to the Champs Elysees. We go to the Louis Vuitton store...my daughter has been waiting for this. I don't really want to go in because I know how expensive it is and I'm still offended. We go in, my daughter is looking around, my son and I find a spot to sit...the employees tell us we cannot sit in there (but we're tired). We look around, my son sees a simple knit cap that is 300EU. He has figured out Euros by now and know that is ridiculous. He says, "I can knit you a cap for less". I agree. My daughter rounds the corner and you can see the disappointment on her face. She thinks the prices are ridiculous too. We can afford to buy something this trip, it's the principle. We get out of there. I then take the kids to the Arc de Triomphe. We don't get to go up....my son says next trip for sure.
We then walk down the Champs Elysees and stop at an outdoor restaurant. We get something to eat then catch the metro back to Les Halles. We try to walk around the mall but it is almost 10p the mall is about to close. We take the escalator out and walk past a park where people are still out playing ping pong...so cool.
We go back to the hotel and get everything packed up to leave the next day.
So sad.
This day we decide to walk Paris. We first go to the Left Bank. Because it is August and most Parisians are on vacation there were not a lot of artists there. We found some keepsakes and then walked toward the National Academy of Music. While there we see someone in a chicken suit, think it is funny and then I take pictures of the kids with the 'chicken'. The lady in the suit then asks for money. It was one of those gypsy ladies, or whatever they are. We give her a couple of Euros and then move on, stopping by a shoe store and my daughter and I each got a pair of shoes. I told the sales lady I wanted then in Negro, but my son corrected me and said, no it is Noir.
We leave there and go to the Champs Elysees. We go to the Louis Vuitton store...my daughter has been waiting for this. I don't really want to go in because I know how expensive it is and I'm still offended. We go in, my daughter is looking around, my son and I find a spot to sit...the employees tell us we cannot sit in there (but we're tired). We look around, my son sees a simple knit cap that is 300EU. He has figured out Euros by now and know that is ridiculous. He says, "I can knit you a cap for less". I agree. My daughter rounds the corner and you can see the disappointment on her face. She thinks the prices are ridiculous too. We can afford to buy something this trip, it's the principle. We get out of there. I then take the kids to the Arc de Triomphe. We don't get to go up....my son says next trip for sure.
We then walk down the Champs Elysees and stop at an outdoor restaurant. We get something to eat then catch the metro back to Les Halles. We try to walk around the mall but it is almost 10p the mall is about to close. We take the escalator out and walk past a park where people are still out playing ping pong...so cool.
We go back to the hotel and get everything packed up to leave the next day.
So sad.
Museum day
Day 5.....This day we are doing museums. I'm going to have to remove a few places from the itinerary but want us to get the most out of it. We find a location that sells museum passes. We only need to buy 2 because my son being under 16 years old can get into most places free. Well, I still haven't found a working ATM and only have US cash on me. The museum pass location does not take US cash, so Visa it is. We leave there and head to Saint Chapelle.
Saint Chapelle is a MUST visit in Paris. It is a beautiful old church. The first floor is mostly a gift shop, then you go up this steep and winding staircase (my son wears a size 16 shoe, it wasn't easy for him) and get to the top of this great room. There are floor to ceiling stained glass windows and candle chandeliers (replicas of real candles used in the past). The walls are covered with carvings of bible stories. Thsi was done because at that time people could not read so they were able to read the bible this way. It is supposed to be a place of quiet and reflection but the loud tourists ruin that. The employees are constantly shushing the toursits and camera flashes don't cease. We find the sortie and head down a narrow winding staircase...slowly so my son doesn't trip over his feet.
Next we go to La Conciergerie. There is a replica of Maria Antoinette's jail cell and lots of history. Before we get there, we stop by a room that has a list of everyone who was executed by guillotine. Three of the four walls in the room are covered. People come here and look to see if any of their ancestors are on the list. I'm of Native American descent, so none of my family is there.
Then we go to Notre Dame. There was an African guy outisde selling Eiffel Tower keychains, 10 for 1EU. Sounds like a deal to me. I buy about 30...souvenir gifts done...at a discount price. We go into Notre Dame. Because of the time they are no longer doing tours to the top. We notice there is a church service going on, so we stop and attend the church service. It was beautiful...except for the rude tourists who wouldn't be respectful and stop snapping pictures and wouldn't shut up. AFter the service we leave Notre Dame to the tourists.
Then we decide to take the train to Versailles. Part of the metro is still under repair, so we catch the free bus in St. Michel and go to the stop next to the Invalides to find the connection. We find the connection and get on the train to Versailles.
It was a smooth ride. On the way we see a replica of the Statue of Liberty. We get off in Versailles. It is late in the day now and the last train back to Paris is leaving in 30 minutes. We didn't get to go to the castle or the gardens...damn damn damn.
Now everybody is leaving Versailles, so the train is FULL, like barely standing room only. And at every stop when you think one more person cannot fit on, well they squeeze themselves on anyway. Ugh, I hate this. We finally get back to Paris (about 30 minutes) and catch the bus back to St. Michel and walk back to Les Halles and the hotel.
Tomorrow is our last full day, so we have to fit in what we can...I had to take the Catacombs off my list. (sad face)
Saint Chapelle is a MUST visit in Paris. It is a beautiful old church. The first floor is mostly a gift shop, then you go up this steep and winding staircase (my son wears a size 16 shoe, it wasn't easy for him) and get to the top of this great room. There are floor to ceiling stained glass windows and candle chandeliers (replicas of real candles used in the past). The walls are covered with carvings of bible stories. Thsi was done because at that time people could not read so they were able to read the bible this way. It is supposed to be a place of quiet and reflection but the loud tourists ruin that. The employees are constantly shushing the toursits and camera flashes don't cease. We find the sortie and head down a narrow winding staircase...slowly so my son doesn't trip over his feet.
Next we go to La Conciergerie. There is a replica of Maria Antoinette's jail cell and lots of history. Before we get there, we stop by a room that has a list of everyone who was executed by guillotine. Three of the four walls in the room are covered. People come here and look to see if any of their ancestors are on the list. I'm of Native American descent, so none of my family is there.
Then we decide to take the train to Versailles. Part of the metro is still under repair, so we catch the free bus in St. Michel and go to the stop next to the Invalides to find the connection. We find the connection and get on the train to Versailles.
It was a smooth ride. On the way we see a replica of the Statue of Liberty. We get off in Versailles. It is late in the day now and the last train back to Paris is leaving in 30 minutes. We didn't get to go to the castle or the gardens...damn damn damn.
Now everybody is leaving Versailles, so the train is FULL, like barely standing room only. And at every stop when you think one more person cannot fit on, well they squeeze themselves on anyway. Ugh, I hate this. We finally get back to Paris (about 30 minutes) and catch the bus back to St. Michel and walk back to Les Halles and the hotel.
Tomorrow is our last full day, so we have to fit in what we can...I had to take the Catacombs off my list. (sad face)
Walk like a Parisian
When in Paris...do as the Parisians do.
We awaken from a GREAT night sleep. Get our showers and head downstairs.
*** SIDEBAR: Remember in a prior post I mentioned the 'forbidden' courtyard in my previous hotel? Well turns out that Citadines (old hotel) and Novotel (new hotel) is a connected in a typical Parisian building which has a central courtyard. Turns out that courtyard belongs to Novotel though and is only available to Novotel guests. The guy could have told me this last year. So I went into 'the forbidden' courtyard. Took a pic and emailed it to Becky. Ha ha ha! ***
The kids and I head out to the Louvre. If done right, that should take up most of the day. Through my research I knew that trying to enter the Louvre through the pyramid would mean waiting in line all day. So we went to one of the side entrances, close to the Seine, we were able to walk right in. Of course the most popular attraction at the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, so we start following the signs that leads to her. Along the way we get wrapped up in the art. My daughter thought she loved bookstores, well turns out she LOVES museums.
We spend most of the day in the Louvre, taking pictures. We finally get to the room with the Mona Lisa. The crowd is just ugh. We get closer and there is the little picture, behind a glass wall and with armed guards...really?! That's it?! Yep, that was it. We were not impressed. We take a pic then prepare to leave as the crowd is annoying. We turn around and WOW. If you ever go into the room in the Louvre where the Mona Lisa is located, stand in front of her and then turn around. There was a picture, floor to ceiling (about 20 - 30 feet tall), beautiful. We spent our next moments reviewing that piece. Wondering how it was created, especially at that scale. Even my son was impressed with the Louvre. He had grown accustomed to the nudity by now, but was still concerned about the small sizes of the men's penises, LOL.
When we exited the Louvre, through the pyramid, we decided that a boat tour was in order. I had run out of Euros and had not been able to locate a working ATM (my tips have a purpose) so I was trying to use my Visa. Every boat we went to said they do not take Visa. We get to one that does and while purchasing our passes, I see that they offer a discount to people with an International SOS card. Huh, what I tell ya?
We get on the boat tour and start paying attention. Apparently there were stops all along the Seine, so if you do the boat tour, you don't have too walk. You can buy a pass for the day and use the boat as a taxi to get around. Son of a gun. We road the boat down to the Eiffel stop and got off. We then went to the Eiffel Tower, this time we want to go up. Me, I'm not good with heights, but I'm a trouper, so let's do this.
We wait in line, about 30-45 minutes, luckily they take Visa and we get on. They pack you like sardines on those elevators. We get to the 2nd floor and get off. The kids are more excited than I've ever seen them....me, I have vertigo. I adjust and even I can admit that the view is AMAZING. The top level is so full that they say it will be over an hour before they start letting anyone back up there...I'm not waiting another hour. The kids say they will go to the top on our next visit....they want to come back!!!!
We go back down, so to the boat launch and catch our boat back towards home. It rains a little, but we are on a covered boat so it's ok. We get off on the Notre Dame stop and walk home, taking in shops as we go. We get back to our neighborhood and sit in the Fontaine des Innocents courtyard for a while, sightseeing and people watching before we go back to the hotel for the night.
Tomorrow, more museums.
We awaken from a GREAT night sleep. Get our showers and head downstairs.
*** SIDEBAR: Remember in a prior post I mentioned the 'forbidden' courtyard in my previous hotel? Well turns out that Citadines (old hotel) and Novotel (new hotel) is a connected in a typical Parisian building which has a central courtyard. Turns out that courtyard belongs to Novotel though and is only available to Novotel guests. The guy could have told me this last year. So I went into 'the forbidden' courtyard. Took a pic and emailed it to Becky. Ha ha ha! ***
We get on the boat tour and start paying attention. Apparently there were stops all along the Seine, so if you do the boat tour, you don't have too walk. You can buy a pass for the day and use the boat as a taxi to get around. Son of a gun. We road the boat down to the Eiffel stop and got off. We then went to the Eiffel Tower, this time we want to go up. Me, I'm not good with heights, but I'm a trouper, so let's do this.
We wait in line, about 30-45 minutes, luckily they take Visa and we get on. They pack you like sardines on those elevators. We get to the 2nd floor and get off. The kids are more excited than I've ever seen them....me, I have vertigo. I adjust and even I can admit that the view is AMAZING. The top level is so full that they say it will be over an hour before they start letting anyone back up there...I'm not waiting another hour. The kids say they will go to the top on our next visit....they want to come back!!!!
Tomorrow, more museums.
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