As I walked my daughter to her first day of school ever, I couldn’t help but think of it in terms of travel. What can I say, it helps. She is embarking on a journey of a lifetime, that will take her to many special places. Some might be nice, some just dreadful but I doubt it will ever be boring. And while she will be discovering the whole world, for me as a parent even from the start it feels as if I’ll be treading through France.
- On our first day there was such a crowd in front of the school with all the parents and the kids, that I caught myself thinking: is this the queue for the Eiffel Tower and why didn’t anyone tell me to book ahead?
- We had to pack her bag pack with so many things, you’d think she was starting a semester at the Sorbonne.
- I thought the list of items she needed for the first year was written in French since I hardly understood any.
- “Claude Monet move away.” We have so much painting equipment, I expect to soon be inquiring about the space at the Louvre.
- I wanted to crack open a bottle of Champagne as soon as the first day was officially over and I have a strong feeling I’ll exploring all the French vineyards in the following school years.
- Of all the t-shirts for her first day she chooses the one that says: J’ ADORE. I truly hope you do, sweetheart.
- I expect her backpack to start smelling of molded cheeses very soon.
- The menus are elaborate and they take their food seriously. My daughter however will most probably think she is forced to eat snails.
- Having to constantly be on time or better yet be there sooner rather than later, feels like trying to catch a flight – to Paris.
- We all love it, like we did France on our last holiday but what happens when the honeymoon is over. Well, as the French would say: “Qui n’avance pas, recule” translated as “Who does not move forward, recedes”. So, rather then dwell, on we go.
