“Wait a minute… weren’t you here just a few days ago?”
I nodded. “Last Wednesday.”
You know you’ve been flying too much when Air Canada flight attendants remember you—sadly it didn’t earn us two seats in business class, just a puzzled look.
“I flew to Canada to pick up my son and we’re flying back to France for the summer,” I explained to make sure I wouldn’t be suspected of drug smuggling.
On Sunday night, only four days after unpacking, I packed again and got ready for yet another transatlantic flight. There was less pre-departure hassle this time—no COVID test is required to enter France from Canada, my EU “vaccine passport” is enough and Mark is exempt since he can’t get vaccinated (yet). Just as well since I’ve heard a COVID test for travelling is about $200 (!) in Canada.
Even though I had been away for six months, I didn’t feel lost in Ottawa. I mean, nothing changed. I did appreciate the house after months of living in hotel rooms, Airbnbs and your typical old-and-small French apartment—it’s big enough, everything works and it has everything I need. I enjoyed the fact streets are quiet at night. Other than that, I found Ottawa rather… gloomy. Neighbours I bumped into seemed to be at the end of her rope, many small businesses closed for good and grocery prices went up. Ontario was still at stage 2 of reopening (I think it moved to stage 3 last Friday) so it didn’t feel as normal as in France. Yes, I know, fewer COVID cases and a pandemic “under control”—but also two years of misery for many people and many, many sacrifices.
The airport in Montreal was very quiet and most stores inside are still closed. We dropped off my backpack then Mark and I said goodbye to Feng.
The plane wasn’t as full as on the way to Canada and there was an empty seat between us and the other passenger, so it was pretty comfortable. We tried our best to get some sleep considering the short flight—only 6.5 hours, landing in Paris at 8:30 a.m. the next day (so 2:30 a.m. eastern Time).
I wanted us to be rested because we weren’t going straight to Nantes—I was taking Mark to Paris for three days. May as well, plus we were accidentally arriving just before Bastille Day, so good timing.
We landed on time and the whole arrival process only took about an hour—border police, luggage and customs.
Mark and I ended up on the RER B to Paris half asleep but pretty excited.
Now, where do we start in Paris?
Glad to see Mark cheecky cute face again. OMG, he’s so tall :))!
It’s not my imagination, right, he *is* taller?!!
OMG look at Mark! So grown up ! Have fun y’all and be safe 🙂
Thank you! I hope you get to take him abroad soon too, your son still has to discover your former home, right?
I took him when he was 2 yrs old. He remembers a bit. We are hoping to see family next year, but who knows with travel restrictions…
Now that you say it, I remember the trip! Same as Mark who went to China at two years old. Hopefully we can connect our kiddos to their roots better in the future…
I hope so too !
I’m sorry in advance if my question is intrusive : Don’t you need to live in Canada for over 6-months in a year for tax purposes? (I think I read something about that regarding snowbirds, but I don’t know how that works for active individuals in the workforce). Mark must be so happy to be with you and traveling to France. Lucky guy! 🙂
Not intrusive at all!
Actually, I’m really not sure for taxes… Mmm, good question. I’m never away for that long so I’ve never considered the issue. Since I’ve been working “as usual” I don’t think it really matters this year. I know that you have to be in Canada for at least six months to be covered under OHIP so I may be missing a few days this year… but considering the situation, I’m hoping if I run into any issue, it can be solved with some common sense. I mean, I had a return ticket in March, not exactly my fault all routes were cancelled.
I’m afraid, but aren’t we supposed to read «July 13» below the pictures taken at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport?
Have a good time with Mark in France.
Oops, thank you for pointing it out! Yes, you’re right, I corrected the date 🙂
I love your black t-shirt!
Pink Floyd, Old Navy circa… 2014?