Biarritz

So, we've settled into our apartment in Biarritz, and it's a relief not to be living out of our suitcases anymore. Our first night here turned out to be so fun. We met up with Stacey Sivak and her husband Bryan, along with their daughter Evie. It's funny how fate works – we first crossed paths with Stacey back in July while hanging out at the soccer area in the Parte Vieja. As luck would have it, her daughter and Charlie are in the same class here in Biarritz. What are the odds?

We initially met up for an aperitif, but we hit it off so well that we ended up having dinner at their place, chatting and enjoying each other's company until well past 11 pm. It turns out, Bryan and Gabe have a lot in common – they're both world travelers, music enthusiasts (from live shows to equipment expertise), foodies, and more. Meeting people who are truly living their best lives is always such a cool experience. It made our first night in Biarritz a memorable one.

Moving into a new place is never too easy. First and foremost, the kitchen was far from adequately stocked with the cooking accessories Gabe needs to work his culinary magic. So, off to the kitchen store we went. The first store we entered felt like a Smart & Final, and we gathered a few essentials. But just as we reached the checkout, the cashier said we needed a membership and a business account. Oops, we put everything back on the shelves and left. Next stop, Esso, another kitchen store, where we managed to find some of the items on our list.

However, I was surprised at how pricey most things were. It's tough to spend a lot on items we'll only need for the next 10 months. Then came Carrefour, which I initially thought was similar to a Target, but it turned out to be mostly groceries, some clothing, and a beauty section. Reality hit us. We had to make a trip to Ikea – not exactly our first choice, but a necessary evil. We were in and out as quickly as possible. The following day, we headed to Bayonne, where we found a solid kitchen store and bought the few pots and pans we needed to keep things simple. It's been a bit of a shopping adventure, but we're slowly but surely turning our apartment into a comfortable home away from home.

Dealing with 100% humidity has definitely been a learning curve for us. It's a catch-22 situation: if we close the windows, the place starts to smell musty, but opening them only increases the humidity. What's the solution? Well, there's a dehumidifier in the laundry area, but it seems like we might need a few more strategically placed around the apartment to tackle the issue effectively. One silver lining is that once winter rolls around and we start using the heaters, it should naturally help to dry out the place. This week, I've got plans to buy some live plants that should help with the humidity issue. I've also placed some baking soda under the sink, hoping it will make a difference. It's all part of living in a below-ground apartment, and we're learning to adapt as we go.

The dehumidifier seemed straightforward. We turned it on, and pushed the convenient button that directs the water through a tube to an exterior pipe. It was a case of 'push the on button and move on,' or so we thought. Turns out, there's a reservoir that needs to be emptied as well. We were in for a surprise when we discovered how much water it collected in just a few hours—another lesson learned in the world of apartment living.

The laundry area has presented its own set of challenges. During the first laundry run, things seemed fine. The first load came out perfectly dry. But the second load left us scratching our heads – the clothes were barely dry, more like they'd just had a good wringing. We started to wonder if the machine was broken. Then, last night, Gabe had a revelation – there are several compartments that need to be manually emptied. First, there's a third area that collects lint, and then there's a tray with a reservoir that fills with water. These machines have quirks, and some instructions near the machine would have been incredibly helpful from the start.

All in all, we're adjusting and savoring the simple pleasures of walking out of our building to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean and taking quick strolls to nearby restaurants and cafes. And let's not forget those sunsets that have been gracing our evenings. I'm learning and adapting, and it's all part of the journey.

My birthday. The boys wrote thoughtful cards and Gabe brought me beautiful flowers. Gabe reserved lunch at La Table Sebastien Grave in Bayonne, where we had a three-course menu. We started with a bubbly toast and then delved into the food. It was a complex and flavorful meal. So delicious!! All in all, it made for a sweet birthday celebration. The boys got me an Aigle raincoat and boots! I am ready for the rain. Tomorrow I will have a massage (thank you, Tara and Liz).