Well, we made it to Paris.

Whilst our children didn’t get much sleep on the flight in spite of the eyeshades, neck pillows and ear plugs, and although we landed at 3 am ET / 9 am Paris time, they were ready to go.

The children and I are feverishly trying to learn French phrases and absorb French culture. “No one wears baseball hats,” one said. “I haven’t seen anyone wearing shorts, even though it is summer,” I said. “Wow,” another said, “this Chèvre is different–it is really bitter.”

We spent most of the day outside, in order to reset our body clocks, which included a visit to a vast park that reminded us of the Boston Public Garden. We also had a leisurely lunch at a bistro, thanks to my wife’s French-speaking abilities.

With our energy flagging, we decided to eat at home and bought provisions at a grocery store. And, on our first night, we had dinner at our Airbnb flat (see photo above).

It is an airy apartment with a lot of natural light and conveniently located in the center of the city. I really like how it has forced us to interact with local merchants rather than relying on a hotel’s staff. And, it is much cheaper than a hotel.

An opportunity to grow and speak French. Different, uncomfortable and entirely fun.