Exploring France: My Journey

From the moment Clint, CJ and I left Germany in 1988, I knew that one day I would always return to live on European soil. Learn about my journey to France, the process of upending my life, and where I explore in France and beyond.

Why France? Besides the beauty of the countryside and the thriving cities, France offers a way of life I couldn't find in the United States. There is no keeping up with the Joneses or working a 50-hour week when you only get paid for 40 hours. French people Work to Live, not Live to Work. They value family time and quiet time. From noon to 2:00 pm every day, most establishments are closed, allowing workers to go home, take a break for lunch, or simply sit under a tree and take a nap. After school, kids are not carted off to various activities, such as sports, music lessons, or scouting. They are home playing in the yard or riding their bikes. The overall atmosphere is calming and refreshing.

HOWEVER!

To truly enjoy what France has to offer requires a lot of effort. France is known for its bureaucracy. What should take a day or two to accomplish often takes weeks. The French people don't speed up their lives just to make it quicker for us to come to their country. It was a great learning experience in patience that prepared me for what was to come once I was in France.

And the bureaucracy doesn't end once you get into the country. There are check-ins and more paperwork to complete. It truly takes a good year to meet every requirement you have. Then, if you are on a visitor's visa, as we are, you need to renew your visa for one year to stay in the country legally.

BUT!

The journey is so worth every form completed, and French conversation had to live at peace with your surroundings.

Join me on my journey and ask questions along the way. If I don't have the answer, I will do my best to find one.