Paris – Summer 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008 – Not yesterday, but the Thursday before, I had an appointment with the Consulate at the French Embassy in DC. Lucky for me, I live only 38 miles away. The French Embassy in DC services DC, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware. That would be quite a trip to make from some of those places. My appointment was at 10:30AM. There were at least 12 documents that I needed to apply for a French Visa…application form, proof of medical insurance, photographs, financial guarantees, etc. I think the French are attempting to ensure that you will not arrive in their country and start collecting welfare (I wish we had some of those requirements here in America but that’s another story).
I had gathered my documents the best I could and scheduled my appointment online. The morning of my appointment, I left my house at 8:30AM. I66 was a parking lot. I had only driven 1/4 of a mile before I realized that i would probably be late for my appointment. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to go from Gainesville to the DC Beltway (about 15 miles). Then I was stressed.
At 10:27AM, I was putting money into the meter in front of the French Embassy. There was a visitor badge waiting for me at the guard shack. Although to the point, the employees who processed the Visas were surprisingly friendly. I was praying that they would not turn me away for my lateness. They did not. All my documents were accepted and to my surprise, they processed my Visa in 1 hour (not the two weeks like it said on the website). The visa processors are so lucky that there was a plexiglass between me and them or I would have hugged them! I am clear to go!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
In the military, what I am doing is called ‘Hurry Up and Wait’. I am nearly fully ready to go to Paris but we have not yet received my boyfriend has not yet received his work visa from the French government. They are taking their sweet time. Well, I am growing impatient so I am finding things to keep me busy. I am not working so I have all the time in the world. I have been hitting the gym with a vengence. Spin classes, weights, abdominals…I can spend as long as I want in the gym which is somewhere between 2-3 hours per day. That is a blessing for me! I will be back in shape in no time!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Today is my last day in VA. In 7 days, I board a plane bound for Germany then France. I am excited but also heavy hearted because I am leaving my beloved Virginia. I love it here. It is one of the few places on earth where I feel connected to the soil. My grandparents are buried here. My mom grew up here and all the stories of slavery and near slavery came from Virginia. I love the trees and the landscape and the mountains. I know the streets and the culture and it is all me. I will miss it here but will always take the time to come back to visit. Bonjour, Paris.
