Our luggage arrived with us and as soon as we walked out the doors Anatolijus was waiting expectantly with a big smile. Our luggage was the last off the plane so he was getting worried as we were one of the last to emerge. After lots of hugs and happy hellos we headed to the car park and started the last part of our journey, the 2.5 hour drive to Zaragoza. Aside from Tessa throwing up (oh yes, she threw up on my lap during the last 30mins of our flight to Barcelona, she was fine and I was damp and smelled sour) and the drive feeling long we arrived in good shape. When we walked into our apartment we were so happy to see a couch, coffee table, arm chairs, and a dining room table and chairs. Anatolijus had gotten approval to rent furniture until our container arrives so we have no complaints as our biggest concern was this ín-between´ time which is now taken care of. Tessa thought the apartment was beautiful and wonderful and Grace was quite unhappy saying, ´It is so empty and nothing what I expected¨. In the morning with the sun shining in we all had a new perspective and Grace felt much better.
The first week has been the girls and I adjusting to the time zone and being at home, walking to the grocery store and finding parks to play in. It has felt strange not having access to any communication - we don´t have a phone yet or internet or TV or radio. At the same time the girls have played wonderfully together using their imagination and big pieces of cardboard and this únplugging´was something I was also looking forward to. So we are safe and comfortable while also quite isolated so pangs of missing home and friends have certainly come.
Our next big thing is school – we have decided not to go to the private schools but have been accepted into a semi-private school run by the Jesuits. It is considered one of the best schools in the city and people cannot believe they have found space for both the girls. The other amazing thing is it is a 20 min walk from our apartment so my hopes of adopting the European lifestyle of walking most places is coming true. Tomorrow we have a meeting at 11:30am with the teachers and then the girls can most likely start on Tuesday. Grace is a bit nervous but mostly excited and Tessa has informed me she is not going to go to school. The biggest relief to me is that the schedule of the school is 9-12pm and then I pick them up and take them home for lunch and then they return to school from 2:30-5pm. It will be very different for us, however my biggest concern with the private schools was that both girls were to go from 9-5pm without seeing me and I didn’t think they could handle it. I feel much better about this and the teachers we met briefly on Thursday could not have been warmer and kinder (good for a mother’s heart).
This weekend we took the girls to the old town and had café con leche and pastries at a beautiful café, we also went to IKEA with about 3,000 other people. Today we visited an amazing aquarium that recreates the marine life of the Nile, Amazon, Mekong and Ebro rivers. I have never been so close to a live crocodile in my life and the huge tanks of exotic fish were very interesting. So we are getting to know our new city, it feels safe and clean and filled with families and young children. We definitely need to now focus on learning Spanish so we can participate and get to know people. We are feeling very blessed and quite surprised that we are actually here!
We would love to hear news of you, Anatolijus just got internet for his laptop so in the evenings and weekends I can now access email. We hope this finds you all well. Cathy and Anatolijus
Have been trying to post comments here but they do not seem to go through. This time I am determined to get it to work. :)
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that, although there are a few uncertainties and resistant to change feelings coming through on occasion with the girls that otherwise all is moving forward nicely. You are all in our thoughts and once you get settled, maybe we can even Skype on occasion.
We had some serious snow for a few days but as usual it has melted and we are back to our rainy season again.
HPAS anniversary party coming up...but I won't be there this year - going down to Washington again for another retreat - I can ask Heather to fill us in on the party and awards and how it goes.
It is great to learn about your adventures, please continue sharing.
Take sweet care of each other...
Anna
xxoo
I'm so glad to hear that your travels went well, that you're adjusting and you've found a school for the girls has a more reasonable schedule. Lucia has been praying for Grace and commenting here and there, "I wish Grace was here..."
ReplyDeleteWe miss you and think of you often.
Love Danielle