Four Years Ago Yesterday

Four years ago yesterday -- that is, August 5, 2004 -- I stepped off of the morning United flight from Dulles to CDG.  I went up those crazy 1960s criss-cross stairless escalators in Terminal 1, marveled at the horrendous architecture and unfriendly layout, and waited two hours for my baggage.  Peter K and the Embassy driver Jean-Pierre were still there, patiently awaiting me, and we went off to the 16th arrondissement and my new 'home' on the Rue Crevaux.

I was very excited about the prospect of my new job in Paris as a political officer in our Embassy.  If I recall correctly, I didn't know anyone with whom I'd be working, but had heard some of the names.  I was also extremely happy to be beginning my Parisian experience -- as Parisian as it can ever be when one is working in the bubble of an Embassy.  Paris, and France, were new to me.  I had spent the past few months studying the language, reading history and culture books, reading the news sites on-line, reading expat memoirs, trying to prepare myself for what to expect. 

I had been warned by someone who had worked in the POL section years before that  - hey, living in Paris is a dream.  Working in the POL section, full of such smart, ambitious people -- it's a snake pit.  I thought: okay, that's going to stink, but I'll just have to see.  My French culture books told me the French, in particular the women, would be standoffish, that clerks in the stores where I did my daily business would (hopefully) be polite -- if I acted according to the correct codes, that is -- but no more.  Most importantly, I was determined to avoid the psychological trap of seeing Paris through rose-colored glasses where romance was concerned.  It would inevitably be disappointing.

Four years ago yesterday, I had never:

-- Seen my apartment, where I built a life, in the 16th arrondissement.

-- Seen the inside of the U.S. Embassy in France.

-- Met some of my best friends and wonderful colleagues (the snake pit had been replaced by a truly astounding team of people who WERE all exceptionally bright . . .but also collegial, funny, smart, kind.  It was truly amazing to me with a section comprised of that many people that there wasn't a rotten one in the bunch).

-- Been to a Certain Unnamed Italian Restaurant (CUIR) as we'll call it from now on.

-- Laid eyes on my husband.

And as of four years ago tomorrow, I had done all of those things.

!!

Comments

[Alison]

I seem to recall a phone call soon after I left DC, while you were still in language & getting ready to go...you were nervous, anxious, wondering whether you were doing the right thing & concerned about your romantic prospects. I guess there was no need to worry! I'm so glad Paris turned out to be such a life-changing experience for you! You deserve it!