The Journey Begins
If you visited this page before 11/28/2018; you read the following:
As an American, it is not that easy to move to an EU country unless you marry a country citizen (I know because I almost did that years ago). There are so many rules, regulations, documents, and more documents that are necessary…and that applies only to obtaining your initial Visa. Years ago, when I lived in Europe, it was a piece of cake. Not so now.
Our goal is to move to an EU country…France in particular (hopefully) at least part-time. I plan on documenting our experience so I can see how far we’ve come when all is said and done.
While this photo is Pézenas (France), but it could be many places. Being a Gemini, I have way too many ‘happy places’ to count. We may use Mexico as a base (I AM NOT SELLING ALL OUR POSSESSIONS TO TRAVEL, THAT’S NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME), this could be the best decision for us. Six months in Europe can be done without a visa if you plan correctly. And I am a planner. Planning a trip to the Soviet Union in 1974 (Americans were not traveling there at the time, especially young women) showed me I could do many things. I’m still capable, just a wee bit older.
Breaking News, as of 11/29/2018
Okay, this paragraph is not breaking news. I was a Francophile long before I knew what the word meant. I loved everything about the country. When Ray and I married, he soon became enamored with France. Not a bad thing for a Francophile wife. I wasn’t complaining.
We can thank my recent re-visit to The South-of-France for cha-cha-cha changes (Queen and David Bowie rock).
Ray and I had much to discuss when I returned home, and thankfully, we were on the same page. Life is short (boy, don’t I know that), and while we love San Miguel de Allende, our heart of hearts is in France. It always has been. I mean, I named a business ‘The French Elements,’ traveled there whenever the opportunity presented itself and read everything I could find about the country, customs, the people.. you get the idea.
SO, we are moving to France if they will have us.
I can deal with the paperwork; I can deal with international movers, I can deal with finding a place to live while in the US, I can deal with the bureaucracy.
I can deal.
In the spring, we travel to the French Consulate in LA (you know I love LA), dossiers in hand, to start the process. But first, the FBI background check…etc.
Fingers crossed, prayers said, believing for a YES!
Viva La France
Can you guess where we’re looking? I’d share, BUT I took a vow of silence.