What an odd combination of feelings... It's definitely a relief to finally be "settled" (Yes, after 40 hours in transit, including 12 hours "in limbo" at the Montevideo airport, a four-month temporary living arrangement in a strange country seems VERY "settled"!) and after a full 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I feel considerably more rested than I did yesterday afternoon, as we raced around to accomplish some basic but interconnected errands (couldn't get groceries until money had been exchanged, for example).
It's an interesting situation to find oneself in, returning after being away for five weeks... some things are comfortingly familiar (we squeezed in an even-more-delicious-than-we-remembered-it ice cream last night at our favourite heladeria... and it was neat to see some familiar musicians and "sales people" on the subte while out and about yesterday), while others are surprisingly different: We knew from others' accounts how hot it was supposed to be here, but still... the heat was bearable when we left, and now we can barely stand to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.! Also, prices have risen dramatically over the past month (the afore-mentioned ice cream was 12% more expensive than when we left in December)! Our favourite verduleria was still there... their baby is growing, and toddling around, helpfully placing an assortment of unwanted fruit and vegetables in one's basket... they've rearranged their shop, though -- the cash is at the back, now, and a giant display of fresh produce draws people in from the street.
The blue's soaring at more than 11:1 (Never thought I'd be able to say I'd walked around town with over 30 000 in my pockets, hehe... too bad it wasn't dollars, lol!) The boys enjoyed visiting our Armenian friends who exchange our $ for us -- and they took good care of us, both financially and physically, offering us comfortable chairs and ice cold water while we waited for "a new brother" to deliver the funds. :)
When we got home, the boys spent some time arranging their new bedroom: Our former guestroom has been completely revamped, with two new twin beds and bright bedsheets and new pillows. So, the boys decided to move in there, and leave their old bedroom as the new guestroom.
It's an interesting situation to find oneself in, returning after being away for five weeks... some things are comfortingly familiar (we squeezed in an even-more-delicious-than-we-remembered-it ice cream last night at our favourite heladeria... and it was neat to see some familiar musicians and "sales people" on the subte while out and about yesterday), while others are surprisingly different: We knew from others' accounts how hot it was supposed to be here, but still... the heat was bearable when we left, and now we can barely stand to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.! Also, prices have risen dramatically over the past month (the afore-mentioned ice cream was 12% more expensive than when we left in December)! Our favourite verduleria was still there... their baby is growing, and toddling around, helpfully placing an assortment of unwanted fruit and vegetables in one's basket... they've rearranged their shop, though -- the cash is at the back, now, and a giant display of fresh produce draws people in from the street.
The blue's soaring at more than 11:1 (Never thought I'd be able to say I'd walked around town with over 30 000 in my pockets, hehe... too bad it wasn't dollars, lol!) The boys enjoyed visiting our Armenian friends who exchange our $ for us -- and they took good care of us, both financially and physically, offering us comfortable chairs and ice cold water while we waited for "a new brother" to deliver the funds. :)
When we got home, the boys spent some time arranging their new bedroom: Our former guestroom has been completely revamped, with two new twin beds and bright bedsheets and new pillows. So, the boys decided to move in there, and leave their old bedroom as the new guestroom.
It was an early bedtime for Alex and Simon. I stayed up until about 10, myself. Despite my extreme exhaustion, I managed to unpack and set up our classroom last night after the boys were in bed, and I'm glad I did... it made for a much smoother transition back to "school" this morning! :)
Our plan this afternoon is to hit the Science Centre after school, and go for a swim in the pool upstairs before dinner. We might also squeeze in a quick ice cream. :-D
Our plan this afternoon is to hit the Science Centre after school, and go for a swim in the pool upstairs before dinner. We might also squeeze in a quick ice cream. :-D