No. 361: Roo de Loo
Rue de l’Université has been my home for two years now, and I am going to miss it something fierce.
I will miss the tropical jungle, trendy café and the canned bird sounds that make up the gardens of the Musée Branly across the street. I’ll miss the twinkling reflection of the Eiffel Tower in the museum windows late at night. I will miss the cozy salon de thé down the way, the short cut to the Seine, and the easy access to les berges. I will miss my Vélib stands and le marché d’à côté with their friendly vendeurs who now smile and wave. I’ll miss the gay gardien a few doors down who looks like Mr. Clean and still eyes Taz suspiciously. And I will miss the lost tourists who shyly ask if I know if they are headed in the right direction, realize they are, and then light up with delight when they see the tip of the tower.
I feel like I know every single cobble stone on the final stretch of this street. All the flowers, doors, balconies and pee stained buildings are familiar and comfortable and feel like home.
It didn’t hit me until just a few moments ago that I am really leaving this place that I love so much. My kitchen table with my sparkling view, my winding staircase, and creaky front door, I will miss them all.
Sigh. I am sad. So I am going to sit with that sadness for a while and find a silver lining in the morning.
365+ Things I Love About France 
I am so sorry you have to leave your wonderful home.. .
Life is GOOD. I’m excited for the next phase of our journey. See you very soon. x
the countdown of the last few days – bittersweet!
C’est vrai, mais la vie est belle…changes on the horizon and surprises too. 🙂 Thank you for following along on my journey.
I can’t help but think of Julia when you mention Rue de Loo! I am about to leave a home too, and there is something from Julia’s memoir that stayed with me when facing big changes–“I’ve always felt that when I’m done with something I just walk away from it–fin!” I figure if Julia can walk away from her home in Provence with such strength, I can too! Though somehow it doesn’t always make it as easy as I would like.
Hmmmm…not sure I like that philosophy. I am definitely not finished with my life in Paris…just on to the next different, but still good, phase. Stay tuned and bonne change and bon courage with your new adventure. Don’t be afraid and embrace it all. 🙂
😦 Sit still and soak in all the joy it has brought you x
Sitting with it and enjoying it until the last moment (especially now that my apartment is clean and the walk through done).
Your neighborhood looks lovely and tres charmant! I would miss it, too. But you know you have a friend in Colorado, and one who also loves to talk about France! Bon voyage, et a bientot!
Looking forward to seeing you soon, Sarah. x
:0( Sometimes it’s okay to not find a silver lining for a bit.
Mais si, je suis tellement d’accord…I need to sit with it awhile longer and move my feast to my next home.
It is indeed very sad that you have to leave…I do hope that the return home goes well and that readjust to your new life very quickly…Paris will always be there so you can come for a visit any time you want. Good luck! (Suzanne)
Thank you Suzanne. We arrive late Sunday night in Denver with seven large suitcases, one tiny dog and on three separate flights. Doing my best to enjoy my last 24+ hours in France.
i was feeling sad for you even before i read this post 😦
Thanks for your empathy, but life is a journey and I am getting excited to see how the next part of the adventure plays out…but boy will I miss this place.
Oh, Nancy, My heart goes out to you. I’ve been reading these last few blogs with teary eyes. What a heart break to have to leave the place you love. But on the joyful side, so few get the chance to live in the landscape of their dreams and even fewer have the courage to make it their home. Thanks again for sharing your adventure.
Thanks for the sweet and empathetic comment. It is hard to leave this place where I feel like I found myself again and was so fortunate to find a wonderful group of girlfriends and create so many wonderful memories with my family of four. I am grateful for every moment and often feel like the luckiest girl in the world…and as the saying goes, “We will always have Paris.” x