Back to Paris, back to a regular life?

6 weeks already that we've been in Paris, how time flies by! We've been very busy relishing the fresh (cold) and wet weather, spending time with family and friends, looking for a new place to live, looking for a nanny/ kindergarten for Ruben, and working (some). We've had great, wonderful conditions so far in Paris, with my mother lending us her place near Gare de Lyon and she and Elizabeth coming often to babysit Ruben.

The good news is that we are almost settled! We've found a flat in the 15th arrondissement to rent and we'll move in early August, once our container reaches France, we've found a private kindergarten after september, Eric of course is back to work (we reached Paris on Saturday June 1st, and he was at his office on the Monday), and I'll go back to regular work on july 22d, with the Ministry of agriculture. We're still uncertain about 'nanny-arrangements' for the summer, as the person who was supposed to work for us let us down, but we're hopeful that we'll find a replacement on time (poor Ruben will have little time to get used to her). And there'll still be some 'fun' time ahead, when we'll both be working and moving in the new place. 

Besides enjoying the weather in Paris, its pure (yes, I know) and fresh air, going for walks and exploring the parks, we managed a few outings: a week end in Nancy to visit my sister's family and Ruben's cousins, a week end in Grenoble to meet up with Eric, Virginie, and Mailys, a day out in Fontainebleau.

First carousel ride for Ruben, courtesy of Mahe.

Our future flat, when we visited it. We've had to go all over Paris looking for a place. There isn't much choice and there are too many people looking. The flat we have found is well located, near La Motte Picquet Grenelle, which means that I'll be walking to work and it will be just slightly longer for Eric. It's cute, quiet, and quite big but not quite big enough (two bedrooms - we were looking for three-, a tiny kitchen, a big living room/ dining room, and a long, useless corridor).

In Nancy, Caroline horseriding. We went to the 'fete de l'art et du cochon' (... pork & art-lard festival?) where Emeline was doing a tap dancing show. Nice, except that the weather was freezing cold and that we had to leave before Emeline actually took the stage.

In Grenoble, we had a great time with Eric, Virginie and Mailys. They live in a nice house in the countryside, and they seem to be living a great new life.
On the Saturday, the weather was not so good and we mostly stayed around the house. Guillaume and Delphine came for dinner, which was great.

 And the day dawned bright and clear on sunday - perfect day to go hiking.

Getting started.

 Mailys and Ruben did great on the hike, walking almost an hour and a half uphill, on a sleepery trail. The pace was very slow, what with Ruben stopping every 20 meters to play with twigs, but they did great!

For lunch, we met up with Antoine and his twins. It was nice seeing him after so many years since university.

We tried to put the kids (and ourselves) down for a nap in the shade, with no luck.

Back to Paris, Clemence enjoying some park-time with Ruben - we're looking forward to her coming back from her holiday in China and doing some baby-sitting (not sure that's in her plans though...).

As Emeline, Thomas, Caroline & Francois, came to stay for the week end with Mahe, we managed to all meet up together - it had been a long time. We had lunch at Mahe's favourite place, the Chinese restaurant, and took some family pictures.

 

Eric and Ruben ready to ride.

On the sunday, exploring the Jardin d'acclimation with Emeline & all and her friend Laurence & family.
The ladies went on the boat ride with the kids.

Whilst the men, and brave Laurence, went for a ride (looked really bumpy).

Lunch time.

Leaving with the 'toy train'.

On July 14th, we finally managed to go back to Fontainebleau, a great outing with a lovely weather, and Eric did climb some rocks.

Ruben played with sand, sticks, moss, rocks, etc, and even ran on the way back.

As for me, I enjoyed the day outdoors. There's going to be no climbing (and running/ skiing/ etc) this year for me but we're looking forward to a Christmas addition to our family.

 Last but not least, would I say that we are missing India? No, not really. It was interesting but challenging. We do miss our friends from there, but for the rest life is nicer around here so far. Ruben has made lots of progress since we came back, which is also great.

Farewell to Delhi

We left Delhi last week... We packed the house, suffered through a heat wave, helped our staff get new jobs, and sadly said goodbyes to many dear friends.

Farewell party at home.

Alejandro caught chocolate-handed and Ana riding the elephant.

Good bye to Nao and Ren.

Delhi's horrible weather.

Given the packing/ summer heat/ preparation for leaving, we did not do much in Delhi in May, although we had a few nice outings: Amy very kindly took us to the American swimming pool, which is a fantastic place, we discovered 'Gulmohar park club' pool with Rakhi and Marco, and we went to the Stellar Children Museum in Gurgaon, a great discovery. The kids there played with water/ water falls/ water flows, with wind tunnels and mini roller coasters, with body drawing, etc. It was our last outing also with Marco, Shalini, Hitesh, Alice, Juan, and the kids.
The water table. As Delhi is really a big city/ small place, it turned out that the founder of the museum is Shalini's cousin.

For the flight back home, we were happy to travel, same thing as last year, with Gersende and Nino, with the addition of Jade. The boys played a bit together in the airport, then we were sitting apart in the plane and they spent, thankfully, a lot of the time onboard sleeping.
Last autorickshaw drive for Ruben, in the airport.

How much Ruben and Nino have grown since our trip last summer!

And good memories - In November, with Rakhi/ Nora, and Shalini/ Aadit.

Home, sweet home

One of the most difficult things about leaving India is leaving our home. I had never had such a nice place, and will not again for, I guess, a long time.
It was built around 1960, when the colony was established, as a two storey house with a garden. It is spacious and convenient.. And of course we have staff helping us to manage it, otherwise I might not find it as easy to live!
From the garden, with the terrace upstairs.

The big dining room/ living room.

Kitchen.

According to Elizabeth, the dining room/ living room + kitchen is equivalent in size to the whole of our previous flat in Paris. Ouch. Cela augure mal pour le retour.
Master bedroom.

The attached bathroom (yes, Indian style, all bedrooms have attached bathrooms).

Garden bedroom/ office.

Backyard (one of Ruben's favourite hangouts recently).

Then, going upstairs.
The guest bedroom (messy as we are beginning to organize our move).

Antechamber to Ruben's bedroom.

Ruben's super sized bedroom.

And his bathroom.

Great terrace.

Finally, we have had some friendly squatters in the house! We haven't seen them much since the heat wave started, but we were glad that they were mosquito-hunting before that.