Written by Today, Philippe and I are making the long journey back home to the States. Our prompt of farm animals made me think of a fun French expression, “Oh la vache!” The most literal translation would be something like “Holy Cow!” This is a phrase that we don’t really use much anymore, but the French version is used quite a lot. In our case “Oh la vache!” would be used to proceed a description of all of the difficult effort required in traveling home. And also, a perfect phrase to use prior to describing just how tired we are during this last leg of the trip. We’ve made it back to the states, but have one more plane to take before finally arriving home. It’s like time travel as we head home since we end up back home on the evening of the same day. As fantastic as our trip was, it will be nice to be in our own house again. Though we don’t pick up Phineas from his pet resort until morning, so it will be another night before life returns to normal.
This was actually the smoothest trip we’ve ever had as passport control in France was super fast and there was no line in Customs back in the States. I’m typing this on the plane as I’ve no idea what condition I’ll be in when we land. I’m in that odd state of being awake, but instead of being alert it’s more like I’m sleepwalking. I’m always impressed by people who manage to sleep on planes, but it’s far too uncomfortable for me. It’s about as easy as attempting to sleep while standing upright. Thankfully we have a driver picking us up as I’m not sure either Philippe nor I have any business attempting to drive a car at this point. The ride is a bit bumpy so I keep hitting the wrong keys, as I’m tossed this way and that. Yet, it’s strangely peaceful still and dark save the single person with their overhead light lit. It’s hard to believe in this quiet moment that we had breakfast in Paris in this same day.
Granted, our Paris friends and family are all asleep now, and we will be as well just a couple of hours after finally arriving at home. We’ve just one day to reset before returning to work on Monday. What I realize now is that it isn’t just the long travel day that makes me feel out of sorts. It’s that wistful feeling of being caught between the present and lovely memories of my very recent past. Thinking of everything and everyone we left behind in Paris, yet excited to return to Kansas City again. Right now, I’m simply floating across the sky, caught between two homes with a heart full of happiness. Though, yeah, I also feel thoroughly exhausted and a little loopy to say the least! Staying awake far too long like when I was on college. I somehow remember it being much easier back then. Oh la vache!
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You need a vacation from your vacation. It was fun to follow along as you did Paris. Tomorrow pick up Phineas, get some food for the fridge, and hibernate for the rest of the day. It’s going to be too cold to do much else anyway. Then early to bed and you’ll be new men by monday!
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed these Paris posts! We plan on doing just that! Phineas is now back with us and everything is returning to the norm. And yeah, our vacation from the vacation will be a little staycation today! So good to be home again!
Travel will be so much more pleasant once we’ve invented the transporter beam. I hope you manage to get back into the swing of things before returning to work – sometimes it takes less time than expected once you get back to familiar surroundings.
I SO agree! 😃💕LOL Give me a transporter beam please! All the science fiction authors thought we’d have one by now!
Holy Cow! that’s one cute vache!
hehe!! Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Adore this comment! lol
Welcome home, Charlie! Love the close-up of the cow’s head.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 We’re all back home again and it’s good to be back!
Is Phineus a dog? Have you paintd him? I too enjoyed reading about Paris.
Oh how long was the flight?
It’s about 8 hours from Paris to Washington to head home (only 6.5 going there), and another 2 hours and 45 minutes from Washington to Kansas City.
Oh
Oh yes! Phineas is our dog… I usually add “our dog Phineas” as I forget not everyone has seen all the posts about him. I’ve sketched him quite a few times, here’s an example – https://doodlewash.com/make-your-bed-day/
Oh thanks.
Holy cow….That sure is a cute cow!! 😂🤣😁😃🤣
Safe flight and welcome home. It’s nice to be away but always nice to come home. Glad you had a great time.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕We’re all back home, reunited with our pup Phineas who’s exhausted as well from being around so many other dogs for 2 weeks. It’s great to be back!
Even your vache is astonished – but not sure what about. Easing back into everyday life after a vacation is usually tumultuous, at least emotionally. Welcome home, Charlie.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s always a bit weird on this first full day back. Still a bit caught between Paris life and our usual life. But I’m thrilled to be home again!
Home sweet home 🏡
So true! Travel is fun and I adore it, but it makes home all the more special as well! 😃💕
Welcome home and thank you for sharing your Paris adventures!!!
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 I’m soooo happy to be home again!
“that wistful feeling of being caught between the present and lovely memories of my very recent past. Thinking of everything and everyone we left behind in Paris, yet excited to return to Kansas City again. Right now, I’m simply floating across the sky, caught between two homes with a heart full of happiness.” Sigh…. beautiful. ❤️
Thanks Jodi ❤️It’s so good to be home again, but I really do miss being with family.
This steer made me smile. He almost looks like he is welcoming you home. I always feel it’s best to jump back into everyday life after a vacation. However, I don’t think I would be much good after the one you just had. I am glad you took us with you. Welcome home!
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah, we’re trying to jump right back into life, but wow… are we tired! hehe… it was quite a trip, but wonderful to be home and have our little dog Phineas back with us!
Safe travel and good luck adjusting to normalcy!😊
Thanks so much, Nancy! 😃💕 We’re almost back on the right time.. hehe… just another day or so.
your stories have been great and sometimes funny . To hear about your holiday as been good apart from all that sugar. my wife and I had a wonderful holiday in France the people lovely we had been told they do not like the English but it was a wonderful time
Thanks, Les! Thrilled you enjoyed these stories! 🙂 And yeah, French are lovely… they just like it when you at least try to speak the language first. hehe
I did and they helped I could speak German
Yeah, it’s funny how an ability to speak other languages helps. I used Spanish in Italy! hehe 😉