Tomorrow I leave this one bedroom apartment to share a much bigger 2 bedroom walk-up with a 25 year old Italian. Haven't met him yet, so I'll keep you up to date on that front. Apparently, he's got a gig at a cafe, and is here on a permanent basis. I'm renting out the owners room while she's on a Yoga retreat to India. So it's packing, and cleaning up. This place was a wonderful way for me to get 'sea legs'. I've met great people, I'm pretty well acclimated, and I got to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. It doesn't get much better than that. Thankfully, I didn't spread myself out TOO much, and decided early on, to keep the place tidy enough that cleaning up wouldn't be more than wiping off surfaces, cleaning the bathroom, and just making things look nice again. So, it will be an easy transition. Take a €6 cab ride to my new place walk up a few flights of stairs et voilá!
2 more months in Paris!
Wow.
I gotta say, that's prety amazing. And I'm really thankful for all the love and support from the 5 people that will read this blog post, and the many, many others that will have missed it. This trip is turning out to be healing in so many ways. It's really an amazing thing that's happening here. I finally forgave myself for something I didn't even need forgiving for, I'm realizing how much more free I really am here, I'm more confident out in public, my foot's getting better (thank you Voltaren®), meeting new people every time I go out and sing, it's really a great thing. I couldn't be happier. Life is slower here. I sometimes forget that I don't have an itinerary and start stressing out about what I HAVE to do...oh wait. I'm not on a schedule. So, then I go knitting somewhere, or sit in a café.
Letting go like this for me was such a necessity. I don't think I would have done well staying in the Bay Area for much longer. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do this, and I'm glad that I took it.
Will share pictures of the new place later.
Ciao
I guess that I am one of the five and I read your posts with a hunger for experiencing your travels!
Posted by: Joan Byron | 08/23/2013 at 07:50 AM
Hi Juanita,
Well, I'm one of the five folks who read your blog I guess. I haven't really been keeping up with you, so I have no idea why you are in Paris for such a long time, or how you made that happen. But I'm really thrilled for you. Do you speak French? On my bucket list is living in Italy, and actually learning to speak Italian. Maybe Germany too. We'll have to retire to make it happen, and even then it will be a challenge. But that's what bucket lists are for I guess. Happy moving. I would like to see Paris again too:-)
Posted by: Kathleen Kasdorf | 08/23/2013 at 08:01 AM
I'm so proud of you, Cuz...keep healing and keep growing! When Andy Dufrene (Shawshank Redemption) said to "get busy living, or get busy dying," I packed up my life on the East Coast, and moved to the West Coast within a month--without a job & only $500 to my name! :-) And although I didn't end up staying in CA, those 2 years were incredible and that experience was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.
Bonne chance...& carpe diem!!
Posted by: Deanna | 08/23/2013 at 09:03 AM
Oh to be your roommate there! I would do that you know, move to Paris and be your roommate-lol! Vivre la vie! And I make number 3. But I love to hear or read peoples stories! Keeping posting.
Posted by: Cristina | 08/23/2013 at 09:41 AM
One of five!
Posted by: Pam Bischoff | 08/23/2013 at 09:47 AM
Wait... there are six! 20% more love and support!
Posted by: Ed | 08/23/2013 at 11:45 AM
I'm #7!
Posted by: Christopher Patnoe | 08/23/2013 at 02:43 PM
Would you quit underestimating yourself?! You've got at least 7 readers (and I'm sure there are plenty more...), and way more courage than you think you do!
Your yarn peeps are super proud of what you've done for yourself and we can't wait to hear more of your adventures.
Posted by: Kathy in San Jose | 08/23/2013 at 11:00 PM