Travel
and black board can be maddening,
filled with wrong moves and missteps.
It’s a strategic game, one that
requires intensive observation and
study in order to become successful.
Despite all the complexities, that
September made me love Paris more
than I could ever imagine. In fact,
it was half way through the month
that I decided to apply for a
Compétences et Talents Card, which
is a three-year renewable visa
allowing me to live and work in
France. There were miles of
paperwork and multiple hoops to
jump through, but in February 2015,
France deemed that I had skills and
talents that would benefit the
country. Thus, I was awarded the
coveted visa and quickly began
planning my Gallic escape.
“I know so much is going to happen
here, but I just don’t know how. It
feels like Paris is full of so many
adventures just waiting to be
had.”–Rachel Kapelke-Dale
In order to live in Paris, one must
have a home in Paris, and finding
my slice of paradise all the way
from Texas wasn’t an experience
I welcomed. Rather than navigate
the city’s real estate labyrinth on
my own, I again turned to Paris
Attitude. What I found was a cozy
(small) studio in the 8th
arrondissement, just steps from one
of my favorite green spaces in Paris:
Parc Monceau. This district is also
home to the Champs-Élysées, Grand
Palais, Egilse de la Madeleine. Of
course, this isn’t my forever home,
but right now, I’m happy to have a
place to unpack, fill the fridge, and
call my own.
A wrong turn or missed metro
can reveal a side to this
enchanting city that I never
knew existed. I’m nervously
anticipating life in my new
hometown. But to survive and
flourish, I’ll need courage, a
thick skin, confidenceand a little
bit of Paris Attitude.
Fellow Francophiles, stay tuned
for Leah’s new monthly feature
dedicated to all-things France