de la Polynésie aux États-Unis

At HomeExchange, we want to make a voice to those who talk about it best: our members. The testimony was written by HomeExchange Ambassador Céline, who shared with us her incredible adventures for 14 months, thanks to the exchange of the house.

House exchange, how does it work?

Our crazy long-term exchange projects

Dream…

We have been a family of travelers, totally obsessed with house exchange for ten years. Thanks to the world we travel with our kids, but in France, Europe, and even at the end of the streets! In 2020, after months of exchange preparation for the world tour, we were still able to travel to Polynesia for nearly 3 months after two delays and cancellations due to Covvid. Great accommodation, we said there was stung on the headdress! So obviously there is only one desire to go back there, but this time it was a more immersive (like the locals) for a long 14-month exchange with the goal of working there and attracting kids….

…To reality

In order to give this dream, we look for a year of long-term communication…. We have worked on this project for nearly two years. This slightly crazy dream has become obvious, but most importantly, it weaves a link in 2020 where a communication family is the power of the future as the couple has become our friends, agreeing to have long-term communication and offering us a home for a year. They are going to retire and want to spend time with their family in mainland France, but there are two sick bitches in the house. Planets line up!

French Polynesia: Lagoon Center 13 months

To have had a few excellent exchanges on different islands in mid-Gree Tahiti before the school year begins, then in Tahiti, and then our cocoon for the coming year: an open house near the lagoon, stunning by lush vegetation, the noise of the waves, the waves and the fruit at hand. Soon, the place became a fireplace: a kayak outing on the lagoon, swimming with turtles and sharks, Tahitian dance lessons, corolla making with neighbors or watching whales with local fishermen. It’s no longer an exotic landscape, but our daily life, full of meetings and sharing.

New Zealand: Stop and meeting for 1 month

We took advantage of the long holiday in Polynesia in December to leave New Zealand’s refreshment; a month of tour, each exchange introduced us to a new decoration: majestic fjords, rolling hills, magnificent sky, meeting the sea lions. In each house, a personalized word, a local gift left on the table, a cat to the pampered cat, a neighbor who discusses and discovers suggestions… so many simple gestures become memorable memories. Special mention of the incredible comfort of bedding in New Zealand, I thought I had to add references to a dozen brands of sheets, pillows or duvets to my list and I wanted to equip our house in Normandy!

United States: 3 weeks in road trips and movies

The Polynesians are approaching the end and we want to stop the United States we don’t know, this is a new discovery opportunity that cannot be missed! These three weeks for a circuit in exchanges were again punctuated by real human encounters, especially during an exchange in hospitality where we shared a hearty American breakfast prepared by our host (cinnamon bread, brioche, red fruits of the garden, jam, peanut butter …) on the terrace, surrounded by players and a few dories which pass in all discretion … San Francisco, Yosemite, Yosemite Valley of Death, Las Vegas, Monument Valley, Joshua Tree, Los Angeles and many other wonderful places lost in the middle of the desert, enough to go home and recall head-filled memories, many new friends and new communication dreams.

Experience beyond dreams

What did we learn from this adventure? Not only the legendary panoramic view, but especially the exchange of smiles, common gestures, moments of relaxation in the distance, will create timely resonance, incredible family moments that will stay. Thanks to HomeExchange, this trip has become a way of life, rich meetings and humanity.

Future HomeXchangers: Dare! The opening of the door is the beginning of another house, other places and new friendships.

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