Day 10

School Daze.

It has been an exhausting day.  The first day of school has taken its toll.  I would like to say that everything went smoothly, but that wasn't to be the case today.  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.  We arrived as the school building a bit early to ensure our first day would get off to a smooth start.  Upon entry everything seemed to be going smooth enough.  Found the little one's class room without issue, but entry into said classroom was a journey he was not willing to take.  We decided perhaps if we got the eldest settled first, it might inspire the second to be more willing to take the plunge.

Upon reaching the third grade classroom, it was clear that our eldest son is truly in his element.  With a fist bump goodbye, he was ready to embark on this new schoolastic adventure.  Back down the spiraling marble staircase we would again test the waters with our youngest.  It took an hour and a half to cut the tie.  He finally came out of his shell enough for us to sneak out.  We were only gone for a moment and he could be heard searching the hallways.  As if we were on the run from the cops after hitting a liquor store or pulling a daylight bank job, my wife and I dove into an empty classroom to avoid detection.  Stifling our giggles like small school children, we waited quietly behind some book cases.  The teachers ushered him back to the adjacent classroom and we made a final break for it.  Almost a clean escape.  Upon entering the courtyard, we would run into our eldest who was on an outdoor break.  He smiled sharply at us to let us know all was well and we passed without words.

The curriculum is actually quite intense.  I myself was a bit intimidated by the tone of our youngest's French teacher.  She is quite fluent in English, but does not speak a word of it around the children.  She explained that she does not want them to know that she is adept at any other language.  No where to run.  No escape.  No way to hide behind your native tongue.  We were due back to pick the youngest up in only an hour and a half, since we had spent half of his half day there in the class with him, so there really wasn't much time to accomplish anything for the morning.  We ran back to the hotel for a moment of quiet time and then headed back.  The report was favorable . . . sort of.  He handled the structure of the classroom fairly well, but freaked when they went for recess.  Apparently he didn't get the memo that recess is the best part of the school day.  This being a VERY small facility, the older boy reported witnessing the beginning of the meltdown.  Apparently it wasn't pretty.

I really can't blame the kid.  Three years old and up-rooted from everything you know.  Living out of a suitcase in a hotel, and not having a clue what in the hell these people are saying to you.  I think I would really be more concerned if he wasn't a little freaked out . . . because I am, and I am a grown ass man.  We took him with us to the grocery after class, and the stress of the day had him falling asleep long before the shopping was complete.  Put more groceries on our shelves and it was back to school again to pick up the 8 year old.  I am starting to see that my days are going to be filled with this commute.

The elder son's story?  A day well spent.  The first subject of the day?  SPANISH!?  This kid is going to be able to speak so many languages when he gets out of here that he won't know where to call home.  This kid is going to save the world one day.  In his subtle way, he never misses an opportunity to show off.  As most of you know, the white american male is rapidly becoming a minority in the US.  A working understanding of the Spanish language is a handly thing to have since our neighbors are jumping the border faster fleas abandoning a newly dipped dog.  That being said, there is a fair amount of exposure to that language in our public schools back home and his own father is relatively well versed after eight years of study.  He would let them know in no uncertain terms that he too was relatively bi-lingual and was very pleased to report to mom and dad that he was the star of his new class in this familiar subject.

Not having officially taken possession of either of our french fried hotrods, we are still limping around with only one car.  This means we will be walking to school tomorrow.  I contemplated the bus system, but after an hour of translating the local bus routes, my brain hurts.  The damned thing looks like a thousand legged spider on roller skates.  Multi-colored lines and arrows going every direction imaginable.  I am affraid if we jump aboard in the morning without a dry run, we may end up in Moscow.  Google reports this to be a 15 minute walk, but having driven it a time or two, I have my doubts.

We are to move into our permanent residence on Friday evening.  Not a moment too soon.  Since all of our worldly possessions are still lost in transit somewhere over the atlantic, it looks like we are in for some more indoor camping.  Have to buy some basics to survive, but anything is better than our current living arrangements.  Don't get me wrong, our hotel is equiped with most of the modern conveniences, but it is starting to feel a little like living in a POW camp.  Rations are usually low and the kids don't really seem to care for BBC news.  They say watching TV is a good way to learn the language, but after watching National Treasure in French last night, I am on the verge of hanging myself by my underpants.

As with everything, the excitement of moving into our new home is bittersweet.  As I mentioned, we take possession on Friday evening, however, my wife will be leaving us for 7 days in Thailand on Saturday.  I hope the French ramen noodles we purchased are as good as their American cousin.  Actually, the pagentry of the French dining experience is starting to get into our blood.  We have experimented with our diet and have essentially abandoned all those familiar foods that we had been using as staples over our first week abroad.  Fortunately, no major intenstinal upset to report.  With a real kitchen at our disposal, the possibilities seem endless.

It will be another adventure tomorrow and I will be left to my own devices for the first time since we have been here.  Wife at work and children at school . . . God knows what I will get into.  Keep the bail money at the ready.