A little recap ..... (PART 1)

Paris was AMAZING. It was a busy, whirlwind trip filled with business and pleasure - two things that typically you won't find mixed together BUT this time it worked out lovely. The week started off in the office where I met so many fantastic people. I was able to get a very good feeling for the atmosphere I will soon be spending many hours in. The offices are about as opposite as can be from what I am used to though. They are open, modern NO CUBES (we like that) and full of windows (that open, another fantastic plus) and Alstom University has a fantastic space with brainstorming areas, conference rooms and an E-Learning center. After the first day at work I ventured out with two girls from the office to have my first French Metro experience. As I stood in front of the ticket counter and repeated back the very foreign words they said to me - it was in that moment that I realized this was going to really be a true learning and growing experience.  Day 2- Trains were on strike in Paris - something I have been told I will need to get very accustomed too!! Tuesday night I was also able to see the entire city from the roof of one of the big shopping plazas in Paris - Printemps.  The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. As we were walking back down to the street I was enlightened about these bikes you can use your Metro card to "rent and ride".  

For a small fee - 29Euros a year- you can find bikes all around the city that are at your fingertips. You swipe your Metro card and for 30 minutes you can pedal away and then drop off at any other rental station you pass by. Now as appealing as that sounds, if you know me at all and you have ever seen the traffic in Paris , you will know this could quite possible be a death wish for me!! Haha - maybe in August when everyone in the city is on "holiday"!!!!!!!!

Now this leads us into Wednesday - MOM ARRIVES - YAY. We have just a minute to pass each other hug and then I head off to work. Another very FULL day in the office as I meet the communication team have a conference call with China and get all sorts of advice on what areas in Paris that I should live in ...... the day ends with my first apartment visit....... such a cute little place in a district and part of Paris that I have never been to before, as we leave I realize I really do have so much to decide on!! 

View from the first apartment. busy street with   shops and lots of people!!

Stay tuned for Part 2 - who knows there maybe will even be a Part 3......