From Polynesia to the United States

At Homeexchange, we like to give voice to those who talk about it best: our members. This testimony was written by Céline, Homeexchange ambassador, who shares with us her incredible adventure of 14 months with family thanks to the exchange of houses.

The exchange of houses, how does it work?

Our crazy long -term exchange project

Dream …

We have been a family of travelers and completely addicted to the exchange of houses for ten years. Thanks to the exchanges we have traveled the world with our children, but also made many exchanges in France, in Europe, or even at the end of the street! In 2020, after months of preparing a world tour in exchange, two postpones and a cancellation because of the COVVID, we were still able to take off towards Polynesia for almost 3 months. Wonderful stay, we were stung at Tiaré as we say there! So obviously only one desire, go back there, but this time even more immersive, like locals, for a long -term exchange of 14 months, with the aim of working and schooling children there….

… to reality

To give life to this dream, we looked for a long -term exchange of a year…. We worked for this project almost two years in advance. Little by little, this slightly crazy dream became palpable but it is above all the links woven in 2020 with one of the exchange families that was a force for the future since this couple, which has since become our friends, agreed to make a long -term exchange and offered us their house for a year. They were going to retire, and wanted to spend time with family in mainland France, but also have people in the house with their two sick female dogs. The planets line up!

French Polynesia: 13 months in the heart of the lagoon

Several superb exchanges on the different islands in order to enjoy the holidays before the start of the school year which takes place in mid-August in Tahiti, then our cocoon for the coming year: an open house close to the lagoon, rocked by lush vegetation, the noise of the waves, and the fruits at hand. Very quickly, this place turned into a fireplace: kayak outing on the lagoon, swimming session with turtles and sharks, Tahitian dance lessons, manufacturing of flower crowns with neighbors or whale observation with local fishermen. It was no longer an exotic landscape but our daily lives, full of meetings and sharing.

New Zealand: 1 month of stopovers and meetings

We take advantage of the long holidays of Polynesia, in December, to leave to refresh ourselves in New Zealand; A circuit of one month, where each exchange introduced us to a new decor: majestic fjords, undulating hills, grandiose skies, meeting with sea lions. At each house, a personalized word, a local gift left on the table, a cat to pamper, neighbors with whom to discuss and discovery advice around … So many simple gestures that became unforgettable memories. Small special mention for the incredible comfort of the bedding in New Zealand, I think I had to take the references of a dozen brands of bed linen, pillows or duvets to add to my list what I want to equip our house in Normandy!

United States: 3 weeks of road trip as in movies

The end of the Polynesian stay approaching, we wanted to stop the USA that we did not know, an opportunity for new discoveries not to 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 superb places lost in the middle of the desert, enough to go home with memories full of head, lots of new friends and dreams of new exchanges of course.

An experience that goes beyond the dream

What have we learned from this adventure? Not only legendary panoramas, but especially smiles exchanged, shared gestures, moments of distant relaxation that resonate in time, incredible family moments that will remain engraved. Thanks to Homeexchange, the trip has become a way of living, rich in meetings and humanity.

Future Homexchangers: Dare! The opening of your door is the beginning of another home, elsewhere and new friendships.

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