First Days

Monday- We have arrived safely at our temporary home (for the next few weeks), which is a massive, rambling place, that sits by itself on an enclosure that is rather running wild, with abandoned tennis courts, empty pool, and garden. Rascal, the cat, arrived fine and is checking out the new quarters, no worse for the trip. Orientation for school went well-- we exchanged money, purchased school supplies, an internet time card, phone cards, some food, had lunch out and a brief tour of the area. Our hostess here from the embassy drove us all around, took us to lunch and provided us with a dinner.Unfortunately, Jim just got sick this evening with stomach flu. We are wondering if it is something he had on the plane. I am hoping he will be the only one! Pray for Jim. His first day of work was to be tomorrow.Everyone has crashed for the night. I think I am the only one in pajamas.
Tuesday- The boys left at 6:30am for school today and first day went well. Jim headed off to work at 7:30 am and returned at 6:30 pm, doing well praise God. Today I cleaned up garbage in the driveway, put up the broken curtains, swept the floor, unpacked bags and stored the suitcases, did two loads of laundry with Miriam, went to the local store, cleaned vegetables in bleach, and realized all the things I failed to bring like cloth napkins and a cookbook. These are in the shipment and will arrive in about three months.It's very windy here with rattling windows and doors and cool so we are wearing sweaters. The high cement walls enclose three sides of this huge estate and can see the backs of houses with laundry hanging on one side. I have only seen the guard and someone checking laundry. I feel like we are in a secret garden.
Wednesday- I set out with the girls on a walk past the local garden center to discover what else is nearby. Although we did not go in we found several restaurants including a Subway, a clothes store, meat store, dessert store, pizza place that delivers, a Blockbuster video, and a grocery. The boys are making some friends and learning their schedules at school. Tomorrow I will try to make bread.