Swimming on Saturday

We slept in today---one of the benefits of: a) having grandparents on hand; and b) Saturday morning cartoons.  The pigeon trainers headed to the park with Abuelo Myron in the morning, and then we went to the pool at the gym we joined yesterday.  The pool is fantastic---enormous and outdoors, with a sliding roof that can be closed in the winter.  Kids' area, lap area, jacuzzi...  In the photo we're in this part where you can kind of lie down in warm, bubbling water.  Check out the rather large woman in the background--this is one of the things I love about Europe.  Even though the pharmacies are full of all kinds of snake oil for losing weight and cellulite, everyone wears a bikini and there seems to be much more acceptance of the whole range of women's bodies than there is in the states.  In my one-piece tank, I was probably the most modestly attired chick in the whole place.  I did some laps and we played enough monkey in the middle to exhaust the kids.  It's 9:15 pm, they are asleep now, and it is perfectly still and quiet outside.

Photo of the Day

One week gone already!

We've been here exactly one week and today I had to set my alarm for the first time (I've been enjoying my empty calendar and lolling in bed in the morning)---we had to go for an official meeting to get our national identification numbers and had to be there at 9 am, all four of us.  So we dressed like we thought good citizens should look.  We had only mixed success.   Alec's papers continue to move forward, but it seems that the advice I was given by the consulate in New York and the university here, to get a student visa, backfired.  I now need a letter of matriculation from the university--which is not a problem but will delay things a bit.  For the kids, too, as they are attached to the mother---very traditional.

Alec and I spent the afternoon checking out gyms, and then I went to meet with Manuel, my patron and benefactor, who continues to be super-supportive and so generous with his time and ideas.  It is a rare opportunity to be here and working near him, and I hope to make the most of it.

Photo of the Day

Peeing in Public

You've gotta love a city that takes a strong stand against peeing or pooping in public.  Not only are there severe fines, and flags advertising them, but also 350 public toilets!  I have not seen or used one yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when I do. 

We took the kids to their school today just to see it, walk around, check out where they will be.  C.C. found out that they have lots of activities, like "pajama day" so she is happy about that although otherwise still quite grumpy about the fact that we've moved here.  One of us has had to stay with her every night until she falls asleep--which means that who ever gets the job is likely to fall asleep with her.

We also went to the Boqueria---the king of all public food markets here and perhaps anywhere; it even gives the Ferry Terminal Market in San Francisco a run for its money.  Alec had razor clams (navajas) which he loves.  And as long as we can find places that have french fries and spaghetti, it's unlikely our kids will starve.

Peeing in Public

Big Fines for Peeing/Pooping in Public!

The children are now self-described "pigeon trainers."  They bring bread up to the park behind our house, put a crumb on each of the fenceposts that surround the playground, and somehow get the pigeons to hop up and "tightrope walk" from post to post.  One particular pigeon named "Stick Up" because of a wayward tail feather, apparently beats the rest of them.

Alec got the elusive "NIE" today---a national identification number, and the rest of us should have ours on Friday.

Myron and I took the kids to CosmoCaixa, the fantastic science museum that's not too far from our house.  Raquel stayed back to clean---she's scoured the place from top to bottom already.  "I cannot stand other people's filth!" she says.  It seemed clean enough to me, but I'm not complaining about the help either.