Au revoir, mes amis.

It's hard to believe it has come to this, but we are repatriating back to the United States. Our spotty blogging of the past few weeks (months?) belies the hectic life we have been leading. Job interviews, late nights working, job offers, acceptances, organizing the move, the fiercest garage (living room) sale Paris has seen, packing, selling, throwing away etc. Not to mention the numerous manifestations (protests) that have clogged Montparnasse half a dozen times in the past few weeks. Why do they have to play club music from the 90s at these things? But we digress. The move. It all boils down to this day. Agnes and Roxy head back this afternoon. John will stay to oversee the move and return next week.

A big thank you to all our loyal readers, those who post comments and those who don't. We've enjoyed sharing our Paris experiences with you and we hope you've had fun reading our blog. If you're ever in Paris, check out our old street Cherche Midi and savor super-delicious caramels at Reine Astrid, a tartlelette pomme at Poilane, a brunch Diane at Nemrods on Sunday, a really good steak frites at le Rousseau for lunch and a fantastic authentic bistro dinner at Chez Dumonet. Agnes will miss having La Grande Epicerie and Le Bon Marche within walking distance. Nothing like that in DC. They provided her and Roxy shelter during gale-force wind and rainstorms and relief from the sweltering canicules. Au revoir Picard! Where will she find a noisette in the states? (And don't even think "macchiatto at Starbucks" otherwise you're banned from reading any further.) For John and Agnes, it's a homecoming. For Roxy -- it' s a big, new adventure. No matter where she ends up, in the suburbs of Cleveland or a small town in Oklahoma -- she'll always be born in Paris.

We leave you with one last excursion: Last weekend we hopped on the 10 line all the way to the end.

There we visited Le Jardin Albert Kahn. This magnificent oasis of green is plopped down in the midst of Boulogne Bilancourt, right on the edge of Paris. For 1 Euro 50, you can stroll through a Japanese garden, a fir tree forest, an English country garden and much more.
Or romp around, as Roxy did. In the midst of it, you could easily forget you were in one of (if not the) densest cities on earth. No sirens, no protests, no motorcycles.

And so, this is end. Until we start our DC blog, that is. But we'll always have Paris.

Comments

[Ali Gianinno]

HOORAY HOORAY! We can't wait to have you home!!! We look forward to seeing you soon. Abigail can't wait to meet her new friend.

xoxo

[buzzgirl]

Wow, so many changes! Best of luck with the new life Stateside. I'll miss reading about your adventures in Paris, but I'm glad you're planning to blog once you get back to DC. It's been fun watching Roxy grow.

By the way, I've always thought she looked a lot like you, but I have to say, that last photo looks exactly like her dad staring back at the camera!

Bonne chance!

[Lora]

I too have really enjoyed your blog - pix and prose. Thanks for sharing your Paris life with us -I will miss checking out Chez Thompson. Blessings to you and your family....

[Dave K]

Sad that you will no longer be blogging about Paris and that I will not have hosts the next time I visit Paris, but very happy that you are coming back to DC! Looking forward to having you back in town (though much has changed since the summer of '05!).

BTW, that last picture of Roxy and you (Aggie) is great!

[Inhee]

Agnes, will miss you very much.
I shall be checking your DC blog more fervently than your Paris one so get typing as soon as you cross the pond!

[Star in California]

Bonne chance, Thompsons! I cannot even remember how I found your blog, but I bookmarked it and have been enjoying your adventures in Paris ever since.

Thank you for giving me a peek at the city I love and sharing your experiences in the city of light.

[Frank]

Frank will miss you.

[The Franco Fille]

I will miss reading about Paris. I lived vicariously through you I think! Welcome back to the States and thanks for sharing.

[Grandpa]

A great blog! I shall miss it! But I will enjoy more having you back in DC!

[Anna]

Good luck, you crazy kids! I will truly miss hearing about your time in Paris

[justin]

Slt Thomspons, I have not kept in good touch w John since leaving Paris last yr but I've come back to your blog every now and then to check up on you. I've always found it fantastically well written and I remember enjoying seeing you two simultaneously discover Paris as I was. Best of luck to you both back stateside, i cant believe how big and beautiful roxanne has grown

[Carlyn]

Thank you for sharing your pics and adventures of Paris.You were actually the first blog I'd ever read.I'm in California and was always thrilled to see the sights.Your daughter is an absolute doll.Thanks again and good luck with all your endeavors.

[Said Bakr]

Hi,
It is the first visit to your blog. Please don't stop bloging. Keep posting to this blog.

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