Tuesday, September 08, 2009

we're here!


We arrived in Paris today around noon. It is so weird to leave on Monday and arrive on Tuesday.

The flight was uneventful, just long. Still, I would take the direct flight any day! It cuts the travel time by so much. The kids all slept for about 3 hours, Marc and I not at all. The only sickness occurred during the shuttle ride to our apartment (Max). There was a lot of jolting, and I was starting to feel sick myself. I had to take deep breaths and use some serious mind control.

The apartment is a huge mess. They have been doing repairs, painting, etc. and everything, everywhere, is covered with dust. Even the insides of drawers and cabinets are blanketed. One of the first things I did was to load up the dishwasher with supposedly clean dishes and glasses and silverware. I also vacuumed the mattresses and then began the hunt for linens to fit all the different beds. The only time I went out was a quick run to the grocery store.


We tried to keep the kids from taking a nap, but we couldn't prevent it. They all slept for 2-3 hours and are now struggling to go to bed. It's 11:15 and Eva is chattering away.

Tomorrow I will be scrubbing sinks, doing laundry, and finishing the unpacking. So, not quite the relaxing day I had been hoping for, but you know...

I'm just so glad that the travel is over!!

22 comments:

Kelly said...

I'm so glad you made it! I was just reading Jill's blog post about your departure. Too bad everything is dusty -- especially after you worked so hard cleaning and such before leaving Utah. Hopefully you will get your relaxing day soon!

Denise said...

I love your "Whew--it's over" label, because that's how I feel for you. It's too bad everything is in such a messy state, but at least you all got there in one piece; now you can just let your nesting instincts take over! (I rather like setting up housekeeping, i.e., helping the girls move into their apartments.)

Here's hoping Eva's internal clock will soon by in sync with the rhythm of Paris family life.

KM said...

Glad you are there uneventfully safe.

Elizabeth said...

That last comment was me.

Jill said...

I hadn't dared to hope for a Paris post so soon, what a delight!! I've decided you need to change your profile picture (even though it's your cute new one) to something indicating you're in Paris. Maybe you could wear a beret or hold a sign that says "blogging from Paris" or something. Hee.

I'm so happy that no one got sick on the plane!!!!!!!!!!! I said multiple prayers for you guys and thought about you all day.

Day 1 of you being gone has found me picking up the phone to call you then remembering I can't, and also seeing a gold minivan and looking to see if it was yours! It's going to be a long 3 months for me!

Who was in the apartment before you and why didn't they do any of this clean-up? The good thing is you'll know it's clean when you're done, but the bad thing is that you've been cleaning for weeks!

Natasha said...

Laughing about Jill's comment and why didn't the previous tenants do proper clean-up, HA!

Glad you made it safe and sound.

Let the Paris posts begin! (I am more than a little jealous!!)

Rebekah said...

I am so jealous of you right now, even though I know what a pain city living can be and I can't imagine what it's like with children. I'm still so jealous, so, so jealous.

Diane said...

SO excited for you! And to read about your adventures in family living in the city....glad you made it safe!

That direct flight is the ONLY way to go. We did it this spring and now won't go any other way....

Miranda said...

I'm so excited for you Michelle! I wish we could come and visit you while you're there. I've never been to Paris! I'm sure you need a shopping companion/free Eva babysitter right?

Fred/Dad said...

WOW!! Can't believe you are blogging already from paris! What a nice suprise... Too bad you have to spend your first hours cleaning, especially after so much cleaning before you left. I am sure the kids will be in Paris mode in no time.
BTW, I really like your Paris blog banner.

Bond Girl 007 said...

hey, good to hear you got there fine and dandy, too bad about the jet lag....Hey are your kids going to l'ecole there?? you should! Even EVA you should drop her off, and say aurevoir....that would be amazingly immersion in culture

Susan said...

Holy Moly, how in the world did you have the energy to dig in to all that cleaning???! Yikes!

Of course, I would have to do the same thing in order to settle in without irritation,but without even a nap on the plane, I wonder how you did it! I remember when we come, I am barely able to make it in the apartment without falling asleep.

Glad you're there and the trip went well. I think the prayers of the multitudes were answered!

Thanks for giving us an update so quickly. And, I love your banner too!!!

Love you.

patsy said...

What a delight to see you have posted already!!!
I can't believe you are there already... amazing.

MORe Cleaning!? so not fair. I hope you have a good vac to clean up the dust quickly.
wow- a grocery store in paris- even for a quick run, it sounds delightful :)

Michelle said...

I can't believe you didn't sleep on the plane! You were so busy before you left I thought you doze off the minute you sat down. Save some of the cleaning for me...we don't mind dusting! Okay we can have the kids dust - we'll go out. hee hee!

jt said...

I too am so glad to see a post so soon- I was praying for your arrival with safety and sanity intact. At least half-right? Feel free to call whenever you need a cleaning break... Or to talk while cleaning. That can really speed things up :) Love you- oh, and it's over 4,000 miles, so yeah it's still farther than Utah. Glad I'm not in Jill's boat checking out all the Odysseys. I'd be doing the same thing.

Unknown said...

it seems unfair that you have to spend your first few days cleaning. and i suppose cleaning is not anymore glamorous, even when it IS done in Paris!

glad you've arrived :)

jenn said...

A post!! A post!! I'm so glad you all arrived safe and avoided being sick!!

I am SICK for you though about the dust and chaos- you should NOT arrive to that!! I would have cried and made Kelly find us a hotel room until the apartment was in order. Well. Not really- but I would have wished for that!

Way to dig in! I've been missing you since last Thursday (and yes, I know you didn't leave until Monday!) Still.

crystal said...

Lelly's comment cracked me up! Cleaning actually SHOULD be more glamorous in Paris. I went to on the BYU study abroad semester when I was a wee young thing, and I loved it so much. I can just imagine the city sounds outside your window.

Liz said...

Glad you arrived safely!! That stinks about the messy apartment. I hope it gets taken care of quickly, and you can get some rest!

Esther said...

hip hip hooray! You're in Paris!!!! I am glad that you all made it there safely.

I am sure that after you settle in, you'll have some amazing adventures (along with pictures) to share.

Can't wait.

everything pink! said...

oh great news for unenventful trip and that it is over!

i am sure you have heard this but i truly believe in the hour/day rule. it takes one day to make up for each hour loss or gain. that has always been so true for me so give yourself 8 days to get on schedule.

Bond Girl 007 said...

hey, michelle, i love EVA'S yoga pose!

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