Our journey here began with a plane delay. We were delayed almost 6 hours. Thankfully, we found out about the delay while at home and did not have to spend those 6 hours in the airport. We woke up at 3am to get all of our things to there. I assumed the kids would go back to sleep...I assumed wrong. We were all awake for more than 30 hours before it was all said and done. Needless to say we were tired.
This is the view flying into the airport. When we got there, we had to try and figure out how to get all of us and all of our luggage through customs. (Our original plan was to have a connecting flight to another city, but we missed it because of the delay. So, we had to catch a bus to our city.) We soon realized that it would be impossible to get through customs without hiring a porter. So we did. We got through easily and found a van company that agreed to drive us across the border so that we would not have to take out all of our luggage, go through customs again, and reload all of our luggage. We were excited until they saw our luggage. They backed down and doubled the price! We eventually went with the original option of taking a bus.
The kids finally fell asleep on the bus (bad timing because we had to get on and off 3 times). We rode the bus to the final stop and uloaded looking for a different van that was supposed to meet us there to drive us to our hotel. it never showed, so the kids and I hopped in a taxi and went to the hotel while Jonathan waited with the luggage. We got to the hotel and our 2 adjoining rooms were suddenly not available. They said they could find 1 small room with 1 bed. (thankfully we had a translator at this point) We said, "no, we have 4 children" (who were all crying in the lobby) So, they said, "ok, we will role another bed into that one for an extra $100 per night" Eventually, we got a bigger room with 2 beds.
We put 2 chairs together to make a "crib" for Lauren and the other 3 slept sideways in the bed. The beds are very hard here, too. We slept good that night reguardless of the sleeping arrangement, but the kids were all up at 3am...the joy of jetlag with kids :)So, we got up and dressed and started apartment hunting around 9am. The second apartment we saw was perfect for us. It even 3 bedrooms (not common here) and AC in the bedrooms!! Besides that, it was on the top floor, so it has an upstais and downstairs and a great view of the city. We are VERY happy!
This is looking out from one of the balconies. The day we also signed for the apartment, we bought a couch, bunkbeds, a phone, and a fan. Day two we went shopping for a fridge. Last night Jonathan went to a little shop down the street to get dinner and bring home (we have no cooking supplies yet) and when we sat down to eat we realized we had no plates or anything. So, I guess you know our shooping list for today. :)
This is the view from Regan and Katherine's bedroom. Right now, there is a field that they farm, but I'm sure it will eventually be apartments. It's nice to see some green though.
You can imagine that we draw a lot of attention everywhere we go (4 kids and all with blonde hair). Lauren and Regan are loving all the attention. Katherine and Benjamin it just depends on their mood. Either way, wether walking down the street or trying to buy something, a crowd forms and cameras come out.
This is looking out from one of the balconies. The day we also signed for the apartment, we bought a couch, bunkbeds, a phone, and a fan. Day two we went shopping for a fridge. Last night Jonathan went to a little shop down the street to get dinner and bring home (we have no cooking supplies yet) and when we sat down to eat we realized we had no plates or anything. So, I guess you know our shooping list for today. :)
This is the view from Regan and Katherine's bedroom. Right now, there is a field that they farm, but I'm sure it will eventually be apartments. It's nice to see some green though.
You can imagine that we draw a lot of attention everywhere we go (4 kids and all with blonde hair). Lauren and Regan are loving all the attention. Katherine and Benjamin it just depends on their mood. Either way, wether walking down the street or trying to buy something, a crowd forms and cameras come out. The little boy above was so funny. We think he is about Lauren's age. The 2 of them just looked at each other and would laugh. And we laughed, too.
The kids are very happy to find an American restraunt...just take a guess. It was actually very good and did not cost much. We were so pleased with the price that we splurged and let the kids go back and get a McFlurry. I told Jonthan that it is sad that a McFlurry costs $12 (local currency) and the delivery and assembly of the bunk beds cost $7 (local currency) Hmmmmm.
And i thought it would be fun to end on a this. A sign in our aprtment complex. So, just remember, when falling down, do so carefully!
The kids are very happy to find an American restraunt...just take a guess. It was actually very good and did not cost much. We were so pleased with the price that we splurged and let the kids go back and get a McFlurry. I told Jonthan that it is sad that a McFlurry costs $12 (local currency) and the delivery and assembly of the bunk beds cost $7 (local currency) Hmmmmm.
And i thought it would be fun to end on a this. A sign in our aprtment complex. So, just remember, when falling down, do so carefully!
