We've Arrived!

Here is the proof. We have arrived! The weather of Avignon has more than made up for the gray, wet and cool weather that we first experienced upon our arrival. We stepped onto the train platform to bright sunshine and intense heat. Again my parents help was invaluable. Even with the extra 2 helpers unloading our luggage, the train whistle blew very quickly at this station and a third of our luggage very nearly continued on without us to Nice, along with Papa!

A beautiful taxi ride took us to our apartment; along the wide, tree lined street with the Rhone river on the left and the medieval wall surrounding the city on the right. We passed the Pont d'Avignon and the Palais des Papes, sights we have dreamed about for months.

Many people have been friendly and helpful. The husband of our landlady drove us to the Education Office to pre-register the children in school. We hope very much to visit the girls' school next week.

As expected, there is lots of adjustment and settling in that needs to take place. It has felt like hard work getting life started here while so jet-lagged and tired. Grace woke up the first morning after a restless night and asked "How long is a year?" Lily, a little girl who has yearned to go to school since her big sister started kindergarten two years ago,is now asking why her parents are "forcing" her to go to school because she doesn't want to go at all. (Yikes). She has asked how to say "Can you be my friend?" in French. So, my biggest concern remains the girls adjustment in school.

Also, our apartment requires a few additions to make it feel more like home. Thankfully, it is very clean, but the mattresses on our beds feel as though they could rival the medieval wall outside of our windows in age.

We are off this afternoon to a shopping area by bus. Perhaps a sponge mattress for the floor may be a good investment?