Arrival

Quick note. Having arrived in Canada and out of completed backlog, have not had much time to blog proper. In lieu of prose, please enjoy this picture of Toronto.

What is this all About?

From the genesis of this adventure, the intention of the odyssey was mostly about working abroad. The main focus was to learn how to work in a different culture, discover new ways of working, and learn new skills.

While this has happened, it pales in comparison to the personal journey.

Sure, plenty has been discovered about French colleagues and how they like to work. Working in a different area of the accounting field expands your skill set. Meeting new people within your company expands your network.

But the personal side is much greater. Living in a new country presents new challenges. Language, bureaucracy, separation – all obstacles faced. The more you are exposed, the more you can learn and grow.

The persistence of the trial brings the result. You are forced to live within the constraints. You must learn to adapt within them. The experience reorganizes and sharpens your values and desires. You can focus on what you want and to focus inspires passion.

The growth is not instant. It takes many serial days of wondering:

“What the hell did I do?”

There are no regrets. You get something that most do not – either from lack of opportunity or an ample supply of sanity – you get an experience.

And while it may not always feel like the right path, you do get rewarded for taking it.

And so this is remembered as the new chapter unfolds.

Expectations

A large lesson of Parisian life is limiting your expectations. Think something should work? Do not turn your oven and washing machine on at the same time. Think blue skies means all clear air travel? Expect a strike. Morning commute? Bring a book.

As a friend says, “it’s France, expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.”

But contained within these little disappointments is a life lesson. Sometimes things do not happen as we want.

This summer I wanted to take a walk on the Viaduc des Arts. This may or may not have had other designs outside of the beautiful garden, a nice walk, and a bottle of wine. As foreshadowing whispers the future, it did not happen. However, fate be damned, I eventually went anyways.

While the winter months do small justices to the promenade, the walk remains relaxing. You march, above traffic on a majestic walkway in Paris. Interesting architecture decorates your way. You have perfect views of how an apparently disorienting city plan actually makes sense.

And so maybe the original intent never materialized? But in its place was a new moment and just as valuable of an experience. The scene was peaceful. Spring was beginning its first assault on winter. Few others were out in the 2 degrees Celsius stroll.

It may be all your current plans wash to the sea. You can still make new ones.

Restaurant and Wine Bar Map

Here is my map of restaurants and wine bars in Paris. Some are delicious while others merely utilitarian or adequate. While not a fan of works in progress, timing is more urgent in this matter than completed prose. Thus, comments still pending edits.

If you have any questions, post a comment or send an email.

Bon appetit.

This is a 27€ burger. Yes, you can find a place that will charge you 27€ for a burger.