Expat Life: Holidays in France

Being an expat means having to navigate the dilemma of going on vacation or choosing to return home to see friends and family.

Because yes, when you come to Canada, you hope to be able to explore America a little more. At least if you are a basic globetrotter like me. And take advantage of its proximity to heavenly places.

You are thirsty for discovery.

But even if going back to basics is sometimes stronger than anything, new expats, here's what to expect in 99% cases 😉

A substantial budget and a trip to anticipate

It's the same thing every time. Are we ready to put a substantial budget for only ten days in places we already know, with no possible change of scenery?

This year, after nearly 5 years in Montreal, I returned home for the first time during the end-of-year holidays. And I understand better why I had been avoiding returning at this time until now.

Between preparing for the trip, finding accommodation each time because I wasn't always staying in the same place, or anticipating immigration procedures, there was a lot of work to do.

Yes, because I was very happy to have had my permanent residence in September, I bought my plane tickets (already at very nice prices). Without imagining that 3 months later, I would still not have the card that allows me to travel back to Canada…

And yet with these immigration organizations, I should have been wary, efficiency not being part of their vocabulary...

So there are still some steps to take (which you have to pay for of course, everything has a price here when it comes to being the cash cow of immigration) before leaving.

BRIEF.

All this to say that preparing a trip to France, which is your country, however, where you have lived most of your life, is not easy. Preparing my solo road trip to Thailand in comparison was a piece of cake!

But yet, beyond all these "constraints" to organize a return to France for a vacation, all these steps are quickly forgotten when faced with reunions with friends and family. When you find these familiar landscapes. To immediately find your bearings. As if you had only left the day before. You feel more aligned with your culture, everything is fluid.

A minister's schedule

Besides, your family and friends often don't realize what it involves. Being an expat and organizing these round trips thousands of kilometers away. With fixed dates, carefully calculated in the face of the unfortunate 2 to 3 weeks granted per year. Obviously, you don't take your planes at the last minute to get the best deals. So yes indeed, talking to someone about your availability in 3-4 months, it doesn't mean anything to them. They don't know anything about it and won't necessarily block these dates for you right away.

As an expat, you of course understand the fact that these people live their daily lives, far from all these considerations. So there is necessarily a gap. After all, you have to be realistic. It is not because you come back that the world will pause while waiting for your schedule.

Of course, this generates a lot of organization, and sometimes stress too. And you forget about the idea of vacations a little in these moments.

Because preparing a travel project, for a vacation, to relax and disconnect should logically not generate stress but only excitement and impatience.

Once you arrive, there's no room for rest. Between setting up Machin for brunch and then Bidule to end up at such and such a bar, it never ends.

You have to schedule everything to ensure people are available, within very limited windows.

And even if you give 4 months' notice of your dates, you won't be able to see all your friends. Or even some very close ones, just for an aperitif.

So we are far from the relaxed vacations you may have been used to. It is a fast pace, where spontaneity at times cannot have its place unfortunately.

But after a few trips back and forth, you'll know what to expect and you'll do it with full knowledge of the facts. After all, that's part of expat life too.

A permanent taste orgy

Speaking of food, you eat like 4 and make up for all that lack of French gastronomy in a few days. You are amazed by a mixed cheese and cold cuts board at the local bar with friends, in front of the supermarket displays that stretch to infinity. All that choice, damn it! You have forgotten what it was like. (Even if you have only been living abroad for 6 months, believe me).

Not to mention (for me) the journey to Monop' like a real pilgrimage to which I submit every time.

The result of the races on the way back inevitably: BAM! 5 kilos more on the scale! Your ass won't thank you...

New habits that die hard

On a daily basis, you deal between French and Quebec culture. And even if you know the "codes" for every culture, it's stronger than you, like an automatism. You find yourself at the checkout of a store swinging a “Hello, how are you?” most naturally in the world, with your most beautiful smile (hidden behind your mask). And you only realize your blunder with the discomfort of the person in place. Who looks at you sideways, wondering if you know each other. You can't even hear yourself speak anymore, it has become so habitual in your language.

Rediscovering men

Of course, I can see you rolling your eyes from here. There are men here too, I can reassure you right away. I don't live in self-sufficiency in a small town with 1 inhabitant per square meter.

But the men here, natives or expats from elsewhere more and more, are used to flirting being feminine, so they favor the least effort. No glances, smiles in the street, almost lowering their eyes when they pass a woman. A word of advice ladies, if you doubt your power of seduction, clearly do not come to Quebec. But hey, that's another debate.

Mind you, I'm glad I don't have to deal with groups of little thugs who throw a "Hey, miss, you're good." at the bend of a sidewalk.

No no, here I am talking about the man " breed " ;-), well-educated. With whom you will exchange a glance or a wry smile, when passing each other in the street. Or sitting face to face on the train or even the metro.

I can't tell you how much well-being it brings me every time I return to France. Like a good shot of self-esteem in one minute. The best therapy 😉 

I'm not even talking about getting hit on, having a conversation, no. Just a game of looks or smiles is enough to make my day. When I tell you that I'm not difficult to please 😉

Rediscovering your country with new eyes

You appreciate everything and see things that you didn't even notice when you were still living there. In this case, I'm talking about myself, Paris where I lived for 7 years before coming to live in Montreal.

Every time I come back, I find the people charming, always ready to help, volunteers. While the image of the Parisian who is grumpy and not very sociable at first glance, I have rubbed shoulders with him during all these years however. (Long live the joys of line 13 morning and evening^^).

So whether it is my more open and external expat perspective. From a life elsewhere that perhaps makes me have a more watered-down vision of things. This letting go instilled by the Quebec way of life.

Being a tourist in a city I have lived in.

Or if, on the contrary, stuck in this daily routine again, I would find all the faults that made me want to leave.

I no longer see the shit on the sidewalks, I no longer smell the nauseating smells of the metro, the beggars and crack users in the metro. I put on tourist blinders in spite of myself, so happy to find my country, my bearings. (Well yes, apart from the crowded metros there, at Christmas. It really pissed me off and I don't miss it at all. As you will have understood, the Paris metro and I, it's not a great love story 😉 )

But on this point, it is specific to each person and not everyone has the same feeling, I agree.

But in any case, until you experience it, you cannot understand it.

Loaded like a mule on the way back

I can't end this article without going back to Canada. With everything you can bring back in your suitcase down to the smallest centimeter still available inside.

You leave with a suitcase that is still easy enough to carry, to go up the stairs etc.

But on the way back it was a rout.

Arriving in France, it's a bit like Ali Baba's cave. You only realize when you go to live elsewhere the richness and variety of products offered for sale.

You will (necessarily) redo your wardrobe. Even if you promised yourself you would avoid going to clothing stores (like me).

It's a must-have. Knowing that you always need a piece that you can't find in Montreal (I remind you that Quebec and fashion are two).

Also make way for the stock of medicines : Doliprane, Betaine Citrate (your hangovers' best friend). Or all medications at much more attractive and accessible prices than in Quebec.

And of course, everything that is food not found here (even if some specialized stores are increasingly setting up in Quebec – Long live Top Discount 😉 ). Without forgetting good bottles of wine Or cheese or you don't spend a day's wage on it.

In the end, you come to recharge your batteries when you return, rediscover your culture for a while. You are on the same wavelength as your compatriots, and in the end, that is priceless.

To come back re-energized, in your host country… until next time 😉