Dreams don’t come true in big firework-y displays. They happen quietly and almost go by unnoticed.
A million years ago I remember dreaming that if I had all the money in the world, and all the time, I would put aside one month per year for traveling. I would pick a destination and learn about it, learn some of the language and culture, all year long, and then I would go there for a month to experience it.
Tomorrow, it is going to happen.
The company gives us a flight home once per year. As long as you leave the country for at least 14 days, you can cash out the tickets & use the money for whatever you want. It turns out that for the same price as four flights to Texas from here, you can fly to France, rent an apartment in Paris, and live there for a month. If you cook in the apartment most nights for dinner as planned, you might even have some cash left over.
It almost happened without my notice. One little thing led into another and the plan was made for quite some time before it hit me. Wait a minute! This is a dream come true! Literally!
We picked Paris because it is the only thing Dolly asked for when we told her she would have to leave her friends yet again, and this time live far from family and not see them too often. She said, “Okay. But if we are not going to be in America, can we see the Eiffel Tower?”
For months now I have been trying to learn French, researching, tasking the kids with homework assignments: “look up Napoleon and tell me 5 facts about him. What is Versailles? What is Notre Dame? When was the Eiffel Tower built, and why?” This is why we made the journals, where they will post a picture and write about what we did each day.
If all goes well, and the internet in our apartment works as promised, I hope to use this space as my own travel journal. So if you hear from me tomorrow, it all went well. And if not, then I will keep a little record and blog about it when I get home.
During this time I don’t expect to have time to visit my bloggy friends, so please accept my apologies now for ignoring you a little bit. I’ll see you in September… insha’Allah.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
She said, “Okay. But if we are not going to be in America, can we see the Eiffel Tower?” I think that’s a fair enough request.
And how cool!! I hope y’all have a fabulous time.
That is an amazing experience to share with your kids. Y’all have a fantastic time and be safe.
This is very cool! Don’t forget to get out in the country. The villages are wonderful.
Fly safe, be careful, don’t drink the water!
We need to see pix when you get back.
Hi Wendy, Gayle from Rosetta Stone here.
I can’t wait to hear about all of the wonderful things you discover on your adventure. And through the eyes of your children-how special. Bon voyage!
Thank you, everyone!
And @Gayle…. wow, is knowing a bit of French ever useful! Many people do speak it, but not everyone. It is SO helpful to be able to have a simple conversation, to ask a simple question! Already my favorite shops are the little ones, and their owners usually do not speak English.