Maryam and Catherine [abroad]

A blog so you'll know we're not dead

Adieu

After an eventful four weeks, it’s finally time for us to say our goodbyes to Europe. Right now, I can’t even begin to reflect on everything we’ve learned and experienced. This trip has been fun at the same time it’s been challenging, and that in and of itself has made it memorable.

If anything at all, I’m so glad for the peculiar melange of people we’ve met along the way. All of our Airbnb hosts, Blandine, Carolyn, and HP, were truly wonderful people, and we’d gladly stay with them again. (We also highly recommend using Airbnb.) Our friends in Paris, new and old, showed us an unbelievable time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the new friends we made in Berlin and on the train back to Paris were characters we’ll never forget. Arezoo, Bertrand, and their hilarious children Alex and Clarice were the perfect family with whom to end our vacation. It would be a small miracle if we could ever reciprocate their kindness and hospitality.

But really, we can’t wait to be back home. The Bay Area really is an incredible place. Thanks for keeping up with us! A bientot!

ck

The hospitality of a persian mother with the proximity of a French boulangerie (and the culinary skills of her French husband) (Taken with Instagram at L’Häy les Roses). Not so petit of a petit dejeuner. Since arriving at my cousins house, the hardest decision I’ve had to make has been choosing between pain au chocolat and croissant. Loving the comforts of a foreign home. ms

The hospitality of a persian mother with the proximity of a French boulangerie (and the culinary skills of her French husband) (Taken with Instagram at L’Häy les Roses). Not so petit of a petit dejeuner.

Since arriving at my cousins house, the hardest decision I’ve had to make has been choosing between pain au chocolat and croissant. Loving the comforts of a foreign home.

ms

Midnight train to Paris

After 15 hours on the night train, a transfer to the Paris metro and then another transfer to the RER, we have finally made it to Maryam’s cousin’s home. The night train is awful. We don’t want to go into the details, though we did meet two funny Frenchman who shared our cabin: David, a juggler from Normandy, and Jonathan, a biologist from Lyon.

We are so happy to be in the warm comfort of Arezoo’s home in beautiful L’Hay les Roses. France never seemed so welcoming.

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So happy to be back in France (Taken with Instagram at L’hay Les Roses)

So happy to be back in France (Taken with Instagram at L’hay Les Roses)

Such great guys, carrying our luggage down the stairs and all… (Taken with Instagram)

Such great guys, carrying our luggage down the stairs and all… (Taken with Instagram)

Urban oasis and delicious couscous (Taken with Instagram)

Urban oasis and delicious couscous (Taken with Instagram)