KLIA, Flight 3, and First Day in Paris

Thankfully, the flight from KLIA to CDG was pretty empty, so we managed to have a row of seats to ourselves. We really needed it after a few hours wandering aimlessly through the airport and sitting staring at a forest with a waterfall in the middle of it.

I felt quite unsettled in KLIA; it felt very hostile. I bumbled my way through speaking to a lovely French couple at the gate waiting to board, and enjoyed listening to their adorable little boy singing French nursery rhymes. Already an improvement since the previous flight.This one was longer, and time seemed to pass very slowly. We had ordered low fat meals, but that was translated into seafood meals, so I survived on bread, fruit and croissants (not a hardship).

At CDG we were greeted by a super cute French guy with a bright smile, who then pushed me round in my wheelchair. He chatted away merrily, half in English and then in French when I replied to his questions en français. He grinned whenever I spoke French to him - I'm still not entirely sure why, perhaps the accent? Who cares when he's cute! He took us through all these corridors and staff elevators, skipping queues and taking us ahead of everyone, getting us out of the airport in record time. Merci beaucoup. (P.S. does customs even exist in CDG??) In the taxi I managed to talk to the driver who had limited English, telling him about our flights, where we're from etc. That was in between me bouncing up and down in my seat, excited at all the gorgeous architecture, grinning widely with my eyes glued to the window.

We finally arrived at our gorgeous apartment building, with large blue doors facing onto la rue. 3 flights of steep steps with 4 suitcases ranging between 8 and 24 kgs later, we arrived at our gorgeous apartment. So, so pretty. Very white (sofas, chairs, rugs, lamps, sheets, duvets, towels etc), and completely relaxing. Views face out over the little cobbled lane on one side and an even smaller cobbled courtyard on the other. The woman who owns the apartment was just lovely; in fact, she lectures at a French University, and when she heard that I'm keen to move here and teach English/study some more, she started talking about the best options for me and told me to contact her because they're always looking for natural speakers to teach English. Maybe I don't have to leave after all?

After showering, unpacking, and catching family up on our arrival, we ventured out into the most gorgeous, blue skied, brisk day to explore. Stunning cityscape aside, I can't believe how normal it feels to be here. I expected it to feel so foreign, but instead it feels like home. Heads up mum and dad, I wasn't 100% kidding in my latest Facebook status...

I seriously love it here. We found a cute little café across from Le Centre Pompidou where I indulged in un croque monsieur et un jus d'orange, s'il vous plaît (ordered and paid for entirely in French). We then just walked the gorgeous streets, dodging crazy drivers, passing l'Hotel de Ville, Le Notre Dame, La Seine... I must admit, I started acting a bit touristy, snapping away with my camera. Everything is just too pretty here! My love of the place was only enhanced by discovering a display in BHV celebrating a special edition Audrey Hepburn Barbie. We then wandered into l'Archives Nationales where we found a spot in the sun in amongst Parisians eating their déjeuner. It got so hot that we had to leave to find a drink, thank you Parisian autumn.

Urgent grocery shopping done, we traipsed back up the 3 flights of stairs and sunk into the cosy white couches, where you have found me writing this.

The only challenge now is to stay awake until at least 8pm. It's only 3 now and I feel I could sleep for days... oh dear. It may be early, but a big thumbs up for this amazing city's performance on my first day.