Week 2

This past week has been relatively busy so feel like the week went by quicker than the first.  We are still definitely getting adjusted and settled in, but feel more at ease with our new living arrangements.  Andy ended up being home with us on Tuesday because he got the flu late Monday night, so it was nice having him with us during the week.  We found a great market last weekend that we have been walking to most days to get fresh flowers and produce.  There is a great bakery down the street from the market, so we can stop there on our way home and pick up fresh bread and cookies as well.  I see food becoming a main focus of our day...thank goodness we have to walk to get around or else we'd be packing on the lbs.

Some of this weeks observations:

Expiration Dates:  They have their expiration dates flopped and put the day first, followed by the month, ending with the year. Not that big of a deal but thought we had purchased old milk, but it was because we were reading the label incorrectly.

COKE - Normal coke is not served in restaurants. Today was the first day that I really wanted a coke, so while we were out to lunch I tried to order one and the only option was Coke Zero, which they have all over the supermarkets.  What I really want is a Dr. Pepper and that will just have to wait until Thanksgiving.

Sweets:  This culture loves sweets, but like LOVES sweets.  While I love them and am indulging in the decadence that is offered on every corner, they too push them for their children.  So every store or restaurant we walk into, Annabelle is offered either a sucker, cookie, or some sort of sugar filled, make my child stay up late item and cannot say no to.  Now everyday she asks for a sucker.  I swear they are putting crack in them.

Children:  This culture is so welcoming of children.  They are so kind to them in all the restaurants and even just out and about.  They are very focused on family life, so accommodate family lifestyles very nicely over here.  In all the supermarkets and malls, they have large family bathrooms that include changing tables, chairs for moms to breastfeed, highchairs, sinks, and toilets for families to use with their young ones.

Rain:  We are in rainy season and it's definitely been rainy.  While some days have not been all day long rain, most days we have had a good down pour or two.  Seeing that we only have one car in the family and Andy takes it to work, Annabelle and I only get out by foot.  Staying put inside a house all day long with a toddler is a recipe to make me go 'crazy' so we have headed out despite the weather and get rained on almost every day.  Most of the time the showers are very light and the stroller protects AB, but think I need to invest in a raincoat.

Driving:  The people here drive like bats out of hell.  I mean the culture here is very mild paced, kind-hearted, so the fact that they drive like the world is ending blows my mind.  And the street structure is filled with roundabouts, so you have cars flying around the roundabouts, swerving into your lane and street signs that are so small you barely know they are there. No right turn on red and you can drive over 100 miles per hour on the motorway (aka highway).

 Yes this is the normal fish section in the supermarkets.  The one with the beady eyes in the middle threw me for a loop.

Lunch with Annabelle on Thursday.  Got her another hot dog sandwich and tried this rustic chicken sandwich which was their version of chicken salad but rather than a mayo based it was almost a shrimp cocktail base.  Interesting.