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I’VE MOVED TO A NEW COUNTRY!

Travel with Kate Paris

That’s me, the very day we moved to our new city!

Hello dear friends,

I have some big news. After moving to London earlier this year to join my husband, we have moved once again. This time to Paris!!

It has been nearly two months. And I kept the news to myself because I wanted to live the experience whole-heartedly – not thinking about pictures to share or videos or blogs to make. I wanted it just for me.

This move wasn’t easy.

Somehow when I moved to London from Los Angeles a few months after our wedding it was an incredibly smooth transition. I had already spent quite some time in London – visiting the sights around town and also getting to know our neighborhood, meeting local characters, choosing my favorite cafes, shops and walks. Moving there felt like jumping on a plane to a familiar home away from home. I already had the basics set up too such as my local phone number, my bank account, etc. And of course, everyone speaks English there!

As the days ticked by toward our move to Paris, I started to get anxious.

I once lived in Paris during a semester abroad in college. I lived with a French family in the 13th Arrondissment and cherished every moment in this stunning city with the optimism and carefree spirit of the 22-year-old that I was. I took French classes at La Sorbonne. I cherished my art history course for which weekly field trips took us to the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay to study the originals up close. But this time is quite different.

Ten years and 4 months after my return to the US from that semester abroad, here I was packing my bags from just across the English Channel to live in Paris once again.

I felt on a precipice after which everything was going to change. My husband and I were stepping into an entirely new chapter in our love story and in our lives.

I feared not being able to handle the language change, drowning in paperwork (of which there is SO much for every little thing in France), and finding it challenging to find my way professionally. And although there was less in the news by way of scary events in France – it did sometimes feel like I was making a decision to move to a country most affected by terrorism in Europe at this time.

Four days before the move I got really sick. I barely had the energy to get out of bed. And my husband was left to do all the final packing up largely on his own. On top of being sick, I was emotional – I didn’t want to leave London, a city that finally did feel like home. If you’ve read one of my earlier posts about finding home you’ll know why it was so important for me to finally find a place that felt like a fit. I didn’t want to leave this chapter behind – in our sweet little apartment with a view out onto a park and a canal in North London. (Video coming soon)

The morning we finally made our way to Kings Cross with all our bags I felt numb. It all seemed surreal – too much to process. I started to imagine we were just going on a trip, and that this wasn’t what felt like the biggest move of my life.

We passed through security and then passport check to get on the Eurostar. The French border control official didn’t say a word to me as she flipped open my passport. As she stamped my passport, there was a flutter in my stomach.

Then we boarded, found our seats and waited for the train to start to move. I still was feeling sick, I nodded off, and before I knew it we had already sped through the Channel Tunnel and were on French soil. That was it. Our English chapter was over. And our French one had begun. I squeezed my husband’s hand with excitement, trying to ignore the sad lump in my throat.

 

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  • MsNomadica
    November 23, 2016 at 2:05 am

    I totally get it. Paris is my happy place, a lot of people there speak English and I speak enough French to cover the most basic necessities of food, shelter, money and transportation. But spending extended amounts of time in a place where you are not fluent in language will always carry a certain amount of stress.

    Fortunately, it does get easier, as your vocabulary will improve almost daily. Still, never leave home without the best language apps on your phone! The ones that let you speak and then translate out loud were a lifesaver on our long trip last year.

    I wish you and your husband the very best during your time in Paris. It is such a magical place, I hope everything quickly becomes easier for you both. And I can’t wait to hear more about it.

    • travelwithkate
      November 28, 2016 at 5:10 pm

      Hello MsNomadica,

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I really appreciate the advice and vote of confidence. I know it will get easier and all the paperwork will one day work itself out! Even during challenging moments, I try to maintain the perspective that it is all a great adventure.

      xx, Kate

  • SandiMcKenna
    November 30, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    You are such an inspiration Kate and Paris is so lucky to have you! Wishing you an amazing next chapter!!!!

    • travelwithkate
      November 30, 2016 at 6:33 pm

      Thank you Sandi!! Your sweet words mean so much! The adventure has well and truly begun!

  • Carol Cain
    November 30, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    Amazing!! Congratulations!! So excited for you.

    • travelwithkate
      November 30, 2016 at 6:34 pm

      Thank you Carol 🙂 When you are here next I’d love to meet up!! xoxo

  • Christine
    December 1, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    This is wonderful, Kate. Congratulations on your move. Look forward to hearing more about your journey. London is my favorite city so I understand your dread. But Paris is exciting and chic. Enjoy the journey. Dance in the rain.

    • travelwithkate
      April 13, 2017 at 5:38 pm

      Thank you Chrisitine. Paris is definitely exciting and chic… I’m already starting to enjoy it more. Little by little.

  • Andrew Scott
    December 1, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Congrats on the move, Kate! While moving can be uncomfortable, it provides an excellent opportunity to grow. Best of luck in Paris. 🙂

    • travelwithkate
      April 13, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Thank you Andrew!! I really appreciate the encouragement. More to come soon 🙂

  • Bree
    April 13, 2017 at 6:53 am

    Hello Kate, I checked out your blog after I read a post of yours on the Message website. The first photo I see is in my own neighbourhood on Rue de Levis! Check out my blog at breeellen.com. I share all of your uncertainties about living here and I think I’m just a few steps ahead (in that I’ve been here for 18months now). Let me know if you want to catch up for a coffee and a chat. Bree

    • travelwithkate
      April 13, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Hi Bree! Thank you so much for reaching out. And I would absolutely love it if we could meet up. Can you message me on Message so we can connect?

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