PARIS, France- Many have a dream of packing up and leaving their hometown Shawn DesVoinges, who is from Spokane, Washington actually did.
Shawn DesVoinges lives in the shadow of a castle in St. Germain, France, roughly 30 minutes outside of Paris.
“I believe it was Louis the XIV that was born and raised here,” DesVoinges said.
DesVoinges went to Shadle Park High School and has great memories of running around the city of Spokane, and says even though he’s far from home, he still finds similarities.
“St. Germain really reminds me of the South Hill,” DesVoinges said.
Among other things there are glasses from Brick West in the kitchen, lilacs growing outside and in a country where American cars are not popular, a Ford is in the driveway.
“The old adage you become like your parents,” DesVoinges said. “My dad was always a Ford guy.”
Thousands of miles away from family, he misses his mom and dad, but says the diversity, and international opportunity have been right for his family.
“Having two children and being able to raise them in France has been a joy,” DesVoinges said.
He and his wife have lived all over the world, but say France has been perfect for this stage of their life as he says the experience of living abroad has been wonderful, and his children are on track to learn multiple languages.
DesVoinges commutes into the city each day for work as a sous chef in a restaurant in Paris.
But even surrounded by the best food in the world, the taste of home never leaves.
“Oh I miss Zips,” DesVoinges said, “I miss the Milk Bottle.”
DesVoinges says on trips home, his first pit stop is at Zips.
You might not be able to locate a Milk Bottle replica in St. Germain, you will find a Starbucks nestled next to a French ice cream shop down the street from Aux Merveilleux de Fred, which was selling French bread with a thick layer of chocolate on it.
“Don’t get me wrong I miss Spokane, [and] I do want a Papa Joe,” DesVoinges said with laughter.
DesVoinges says life abroad has definitely changed him, but in St. Germain, outside the hustle and bustle of the city it’s very similar to Spokane.
“I like it here, I’m not a big fan of Paris, I grew up Spokane style, in the suburbs so this is more of what I’m used to,” DesVoinges said.
The streets around his home are quiet, neighbors chat with one another, and kids play outside.
DesVoinges misses access to the family pool and barbecues with friends but he’s created a new life abroad.
Both of his children recently received information from school on what the Olympics means including a special euro with Olympic symbols on it.
DesVoinges says that he and his family plan to take advantage of some of the Olympic opportunities, and that they are excited to live in a host city and plan to attend a few events.
