Yesterday morning, my first back home in Paris after three months away, I laid still with my eyes closed wondering if there were any chance I’d be able to fall back asleep.
Outside my window, in our courtyard, buzz saws buzzed, hammers pounded, and workmen shouted to each other in French, trying to be heard above the din.
I gave up on the idea of additional slumber and dragged my still-on-Panama-time body out of bed. Here in Paris, it was a bright new early spring day.
The workers were at it all day, distracting me as I unpacked and settled us in for our extended stay. I couldn’t not watch. I find men cutting wood and mixing plaster irresistible.
Our apartment is in the heart of old Paris, where the classic-style buildings, including ours, are more than 300 years old. They need constant attention. The current works are taking place in the apartment across the courtyard from ours. From what I can see, the place is being stripped down to its 300-year-old rafters.
I’ve undertaken the restoration of four centuries-old apartments in Paris over the years. I’ll enjoy watching the progress on this one. It’s easier to appreciate this kind of total-gut-job effort when you’re not the one living amidst the dust.
This city’s architectural traditions are one of the things I appreciate most about it. Paris has long boasted the world’s most experienced tradesmen. Carpenters, parquetiers, stonemasons, ironworkers, painters… they’ve all sought out central Paris since the Middle Ages. Here they’ve known their talents would be respected and they’d always find work.
These trades have been passed down generation to generation the centuries since, and, thanks to the skill of those who practice them, this city is a museum whose exhibits enjoy continual facelifts. Historic Paris is at once always the same and forever renewing itself.
“There’s a new restaurant on our street. It’s Japanese.” Jackson remarked yesterday afternoon, a few hours after our arrival.
“I liked the Italian restaurant that used to be there.”
We were glad to find that our favorite local Chinese carryout remains open for business as it’s been the past 20 years we’ve been based in this neighborhood. The owner greeted us with a big smile, a warm welcome back, and a beer on the house for Jackson when we explained that the young man recently graduated university.
We’ve returned to Paris the past 16 summers we’ve lived in Panama. However, this summer we aren’t in town for a hurried visit. This summer, we’re returning home.
At least that’s how it feels. We’re settling back into the apartment where we lived when our children were young together, where Jackson, now fully launched, started preschool.
After spending decades getting to know this town, we feel no urge to rush out to see the sights. Eventually we’ll make our way across the river to the Tuileries, our favorite spot for afternoon walks, and down to the Île de la Cité, our preferred destination for Sunday picnics.
For now we’re content to stay in and enjoy the view.
Back in Panama City, our team sends email reminders—don’t forget to review Overseas Living Letter issue copy… send your feedback for the final speaker list for this week’s Live And Invest In Portugal Conference remember our conference call tomorrow at 9 a.m. Panama time…
Perhaps they fear that if they don’t stay in touch with us in real time, they might lose us to the lures of springtime in Paris.
Lief and I have been working toward this day for more than 25 years. Year by year, organically, as ideas, options, and opportunities have presented themselves, we’ve pieced together a plan for our lives post-kids.
You could call this our retirement plan, but it doesn’t have anything to do with pulling back from working. It’s not work we object to but routine.
This weekend we break from the routine that has been our lives for decades and embrace a future lived according to a schedule imagined not imposed. From here on out, we’re all about life outside any box.
Should we spend the afternoon browsing at Shakespeare & Co? Meet friends for a glass of wine at the café on the corner? Or maybe I could persuade Lief to escort me to the antique market at Clingnancourt. Our living room sofa is looking a little shabby…
Monday Lief takes off for Portugal where he’ll host this week’s nearly sold-out event.
Next month we’re planning a long weekend in Morocco… and maybe a quick trip to Ireland. Later in the summer we’re hoping to meet up with friends in Lisbon.
Paris is both my favorite place to be and also a great jumping-off spot for exploring Europe and beyond. After years of daily commutes and being where we needed to be when we needed to be there, we’re relishing our first steps free of those encumbrances.
At last our day-to-day is more about what we’d like to do rather than what we must do. Maybe our staff back in Panama is right to be worried.
Until next time,
Kathleen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter
