We found an apartment. It is nice, with newly painted walls and crystal chandeliers. The 8/16er neighbourhood is a bit staid compared to the one we nearly signed up in the Boulevard Raspail/ Rue de Rennes area, but I can't justify village feel against 3 attached bathrooms/shower/toilet/bidet and 1 guest toilet and a decent sized kitchen. And the rent is within budget. Only thing is, we need to bring our own furniture, which means sleeping on the floor when the furniture is being shipped over (and back, when we return after the posting). And we'll have to figure out internet connection, telephone etc.
Two more nights in this overpriced hotel- we're only staying here because husband's office get a corporate rate which is still outrageous but then again I've not come across a reasonably priced parisian hotel. Being next door to the Musee du Louvre seems to imply it is OK to not give guests slippers and cotton buds unless they request it. There is no bottled water or tea facilities, a 75ml bottle of Evian is available in the mini bar at 7 euros each. And no duvets, only institutional orange blankets. The twin beds is literally two single beds and mattresses side by side. Front desk staff are invariably haughty, bureaucratic and patronising. It's been almost 15 years since Internet arrived but the hotel only has internet access in the bar and the adjacent corridor. No other access, dial up, ADSL or otherwise, even if one is willing to pay for it. So I find myself typing this in the chilly cigarette-stinky corridor. How ridiculous is that? In China, most hotels have free internet access....
We are missing Vera and the dogs. GG sms-ed that Mimi and Rufus spent the first night waiting for us to come home. Here in this city people take their dogs to the airport, office, meet clients, restaurants and even shopping centres. And there are far fewer dog doos too, people actually carry newspapers and little bags with them for such emergencies.
I've been good, have not spent silly money on clothes and fripperies, and we're eating well but not extravagantly, guess we exhausted most of the touristy stuff out of our system with the last visit on honeymoon 8 years ago, Eight years.... it was also about the same time, because like this day 8 years ago the new Boujeaolais was launched. In between the apartment hunting and walking around the arrondisements, I've been taking pictures- the soft morning light is especially kind and easy to work with. Have a look here if you like.
OK, my feet are freezing, I have to go back to the room.
Mimi and Rufus don't know it yet, but they are going to Paris next year. To stay. For three years.
I'll have to video Rufus's reaction the first time he walks the streets and sniffs all those doggy smells, he will go berserk I'm sure.
First things first, a Pet Relocator. A quick rummage through the internet revealed that there are not many of such operators in Singapore. I called Pet Movers first, because I've seen their vans driving around town and I think they operate the main and possibly the only animal quarantine facility in Singapore. A ballpark quote was more than $3000, Gulp! The next agent I called, name now forgotten, was too busy to answer my enquiries. More rummaging and a third name came up- Peter's Pet Services. Peter is a chatty and terribly helpful person, and he promised that it would not cost more than $800 even taking into account vet's fees, and he cited some impressive references. I remembered mentioning to the vet about our move and his assistant had given us a contact card so I dug in their medical files and reassuringly, it was also printed with Peter's details. Peter is also reasonably confident we can get both of them back into Singapore without going through the quarantine ordeal when the posting ends. Peter, we are depending on you for everything, OK?
My friend J had been urging us to get carriers for the dogs early so they can get used to being in them and of course, to rehearse for the long flight. So I asked Peter to send the crates early, he agreed that it was a good idea. But a 32 kg dog fell on his ankle and injured him so he was out of action for a while and was only able to deliver the crates last Sunday.
The crates come in two parts. We start with the lower portion, which we make more homely with towels and their favourite toys. But what makes them get into it is their favourite meat treats. Next week we'll try adding the roofs..
