Things I miss...

I can't believe we have been here for over two months which means that our adventure is 1/6th of the way over. Have we seen 1/6th of everything we want or plan to see? This is a BIG country! Back to things I miss.

I miss being able to get from the front door to the street in 5 seconds. To get to the street from our apartment we go down a long hallway to the elevator where Abby has to get out of the pram to push the down button. Down eight levels, through our lobby, out a door and down a step (not easy with a stroller) into the courtyard. Then through the courtyard, swipe the key card to get in the door to the main lobby. This also involves going up a step. Then through the lobby and out onto the street. To get back to our apartment it's the same routine but add in three additional key card swipes and unlocking the door. Just to give you the full picture, imagine me having just gone food shopping so the pram is loaded with groceries, I have two bags on my arms, Abby is holding 3 litres of milk, and I need to find the key card and go up and down the steps.

I miss the quiet plumbing and appliances. There is a drain on the floor of each bathroom. When you flush the toilet or drain the tub which are loud by themselves, the drain on the floor then gargles for a couple minutes. The dryer is insanly loud. Forget about trying to watch tv or talk on the phone when that thing is running. And the kitchen sink drowns out any conversation. It works great during an argument but that's about it. Turn it on and..."what? I can't hear you!" End of argument.

I miss shopping carts that travel in the direction that you push them. All shopping carts here have four wheels all of which can move in any direction. You would think that would be like all-wheel drive giving you ultimate control but in fact it is quite the opposite to the point where I almost run into other people on a regular basis. It does however make for fun 360's for Abby once you get into the wide aisles!

I miss autumn. It's suppossed to be getting cool in October. Green pumpkins aren't the same.

I miss our friends and family. Lots of acquaintances here but no close friends or family that already know your whole life story. I miss not having to start from scratch. Skype is great but it's just not the same as being able to give and get a good hug.