Some Pics!

Saying goodbye wasn't easy!

The adventure is on so we dried our tears...and one of our backpacks nearly opened the emergency exit!! Yikes...

 When we landed, we were able to get a taxi that would actually hold all of us, and our 10 pieces of luggage and carry-ons!  We had anticipated needing two taxis, based on the experiences of other students... but were pleasantly surprised to fit into one, saving on the confusion and expense!  We were greeted at the apartment by the director of the school and shown our home~ It is very different and very nice and much bigger than we had expected!

There is a grocery about 200 yards away, so our first morning we walked over to get the basics...we were the only family together in the store, causing quite the congestion in the little aisles!  Shopping is a 'Bring Your Own Bag' experience, and most people shop daily-only buying a few items at a time.  So I bought 1 liter of milk instead of my typical 4 gallons.  There is a bread store and a butcher just outside of the grocery store,  I wonder if anyone buys the bread and meat at the grocery store? 

The next day we went to the 'box' type of store, where they sell literally everything (it's about a mile away).  Back-to-school sales were on, which blessed my heart in any language!  Even the notebook paper here is different!  Yogurt options are incredible... like 4 refrigerated aisles full of tiny containers of yogurt.  
We've walked about 12-15 miles in our first 3 days.  Again, being out and about together as a family seems to be unique.  We haven't seen any other teen-aged kids with their families yet, but this is the month when school is on vacation and families plan their annual travels. 
We are doing well.  Eating lots of bread, adapting to culture, and taking in a lot of new!  We are each writing in our journal daily and praying together in the evenings which helps life to feel normal-ish. 
Thank you for your prayers- We haven't encountered very many english-speakers yet, which keeps us humble...and confused.  Pronunciation is vital- and mine is not where it needs to be!  Classes begin in 6 days, and we look forward to the hard work and progress, which we trust will come, by God's grace alone!