i have arrived!

It's been an exhausting few days. I've spend much of the last week packing and cleaning my place for my tenant and helping my brother and his wife back and move from their condo to a new house. Tired did not begin to describe how I felt Monday night, so it was great not to be unpacking my brother and just enjoying time with my family before I left. Tuesday was a day of errands early and then a last run before going to the airport.

While I loved running, those of you who have run with me know that I sweat - a lot - when I run - and running in the humidity of DC in 80+ degree weather may not have been the best idea. Ah well, I felt virtuous for a moment.

The trip itself was relatively without incident. I, who hate, and I mean HATE, getting to the airport beyond the minimum amount of time required, was at the airport more than 2.5 hours before my flight. I know, its hard to believe, but I wanted to make sure Jai was taken care of. While the line for boarding with pets is relatively short - the people in the line, other than myself, of course, seem a bit nutty. The couple in front of me were boarding a cat and were truly crazy cat people. They surrounded their crate with bags so the cat wouldn't be freaked out by Jai - as if the cat was going to be all by herself in the cargo....

All in all, Jai did great on the flight - he cried when I left him but seems to be doing just fine now, as he lays his head on my leg falling asleep. :)

After we arrived at the apartment - I had to take a nap. The flight got in at 2 am US time and I was just beat. Jai and I then took a very very long walk along the Seine, and saw Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. On the way home - I found a pet store so Jai had food. Phew. We then stopped in front of City Hall where a screen had been set up so people could watch the quarter finals of the French Open - so cool!

The weather here is magnificent, late springlike so warm but not hot and so sweetly cool in the evening. What an escape from the blistering humidity that was returning to Baltimore as I left.

I don't think it has fully sunk in that I am here but I am ready to embrace the possibilities.