A quick catch up

Thank you, Inthinc for the laptops for the kids.  There really was no other solution for school with all of this moving around and being unsettled.  They can log on anywhere there is internet connection and get to work.  Thank you!

We all woke up a little grouchy today!  I think being unsettled and moving around so much is starting to wear on everybody.  We have moved to our third hotel and will be here for a little over a week.  We think we have found housing but not 100%.

Geoff left just a little while ago for Argentina and will return in a week.  It's a little scarey being without him!  I think I better get a better feel for the money, among other things.  I'm worried they will ask me for cuatro mil and I will hand over the whole paycheck because I don't know how much that is!!!  I just had my first solo espanol experience without Geoff standing close.  I had to figure out which numbered parking space I was supposed to be in.  The parking attendant was really patient and I am getting good at sign/body language.  I better get good at espanol though!

The standards of cleanliness is not quite the same as what we are used to and the thing that really gets me though!  We are trying to be good sports about being out of our comfort zones but crusty, gunky silverware and dishes just about throws us over the edge!  The city itself is pretty clean.  I am surprised at that.  I was thinking it might be similar to Mexico.  It's not.  The streets and community areas are pretty clean, for the most part.  But the house cleaning is a little lacking.  There just seems to be gunk on everything!  Door handles, kitchen cupboards, sink faucets, windows, etc.  I admit that I am a little sensitive to smells and cleanliness.  I have had to get out the bleach and clean all the dishes, cupboards, kitchens and bathrooms everywhere we go.

As for driving, well, I am left to myself this week so it will be interesante que si?  I'm getting a little better at blending in with the native drivers but once they pass me and see a blonde gringa they just shake their heads at me.  And I love how you can just stop anywhere in the middle of the road and you are just fine as long as you turn on your hazards.

Ok- we have got to find something different to eat besides completos!  My system has had too much, I think.  But the food here is SO SO SO  expensive!!!!!!!  I'm really totally surprised by how high the cost of living is here.  I can't figure out how these Chileans can afford to live here!  For a quick example, $8. /gallon of milk and $8./gallon of gas!  We would use paper plates, cups and utensils if those were less expensive!  6 plastic cups for $2.  Paper towels are about $3 per roll.  Cheap shampoo is $3.  I'm wishing I had packed more of the things I thought we would be without!

Ash and Boo having some fun

Ty having.....not so much fun

He's so stinkin' handsome!  Even in his "dirty" shirt.  Love it ocho!

Boo made a new invention, he said.  It's a booger sucker upper.

But he's so sweet!

Ash & Ty

Our favorite completo stand.  Ok- here's a quick story about this completo stand.  Geoff and I were out house shopping (that's all we have done for a week!) and stopped by here for the first time to have some completos.  We left to carry on with the house shopping and 20 minutes later I realized that I didn't have my purse with me.  It had all of our passports, birth certificates and $800 US dollars in it!!!  I was in panick mode and we headed as fast as we could back over.  They had my purse for me all safe and untouched!!!

Boo, me and Ash enjoying some completos and jugos natural.  Ok- well we eat so many of these darn things because they are the cheapest things we can find!