The first few days

December 6, 2009 - Busy, busy, busy. I would’nt know how to express the first days any other way. With four people all being enthusiastic about the new things they experience, but who also suffer from a severe jetlag, we sure had some stress in the first few days. The boys were cranky because we dragged them from one place to another. We were cranky because they would start a fight just as we were trying to arrange important things. There were a lot of great moments too, for instance when we visited the people we met last year. And when you see how easy they interact with their kids as it has never been different.. All in all a big transition, and slowly but surely we start waking up at a later time.

The weather is truly unique. It is very, very cold (the temperature gauge in the car says -12 to -28), but the sun is shining and the humidity low. With good clothes it’s not a problem and oh my, how beautiful the world is under a blanket of snow. Include the Christmas trees and I don’t worry anymore about the months to come.

I have made a short summary of what we’ ve been experiencing the last couple of days.

Friday
After the flight to Winnipeg, we stayed in a hotel, so we could pick up the rental car the next day. A much too small rental car according to the staff, because it has to carry 7 suitcases, 7 pieces of carry-on luggage and 4 persons. I gave it a try anyway and with some Dutch ingenuity I got it all in one car.

We are driving west with the sun in our face and view the breathtaking scenery of snowcovered prairies on the way. The town that we’ ll reside is called Rivers and is situated in a rivervalley with hills, pastures and woods. A disappointment when we get to the rental house: the owners are still working on the last construction, and it is covered with sawdust and tools. But, the people we met last year (Dutch immigrants who live nearby), have made the beds, placed a couch and a dining table with wine, beer, glasses, pots, pans, utensils, etc. to get through the first few days. That’s nice.

In the afternoon we bought the first groceries and then went to Ingrid to thank her for the things she had arranged in our rental home. We could stay for dinner and we had a very pleasant evening. Wide awake at 2 a.m. though, whoopie.

Saturday
On to Brandon, shopping for snowboots and snowpants. Truly a necessity if you don’t want to your children to freeze while playing. Visited several stores, bought more groceries and ordered to have an internet connection arranged for (I can write this post, because I am at a hotspot, our own connection will probably come on Friday). Meanwhile it’s starting to snow, it’s -16 are we’re not awake at 2, but 3 a.m. Things are progressing.

Sunday
Buck threw up tonight. He was already sick before we left Holland and this is still affecting him. But, it was 5 a.m., so the transition is kicking in. It is misty, we’re having a relaxed breakfast and Cisco can’t wait to try his new toboggan. It’s -19, so we dress him well and the rest of the morning is used for vacuuming, cleaning, emptying suitcases and filling closets.

In the afternoon we visit the Verbruggen family which we were in touch with shortly before we left Holland. Cisco will be in the same class as their youngest son. Smart Cisco takes his toboggan and this proves to be a big success. On the hilly terrain the kids are enjoying themselves. Meanwhile we talk about hundreds of things, receive tons of information and borrow lots of household items. What a great welcome. At home we took a sandwich for dinner and then quickly to bed.