One week down!

Yesterday we had orientation day at Mira’s new school for new students and parents which we all attended. The school looks great (www.asbindia.org), the program appears very good and we feel very lucky to have gotten in! We met some parents that have been waiting almost 2 years to get into the school....so after hearing that, the 6 months we had to wait are nothing J even though we were getting frustrated with the wait..... I think it is the Icelandic impatience coming out in us (Bala has obviously caught it to!!). So today was the first day of school, which for Mira is from 8 am – 12pm. According to her she loved it, which is a huge relief for us as she keeps talking about Skógarborg (the Icelandic school she was in) and all the kids there. We took some picture of Mira going to class with her new schoolbag!

Even though she has been taught both Icelandic and English at home her English level is not 100% but she will get there in no time. The first day brought some challenges for her but the class went out to play and of course everything is wet from the rain (it is all covered but the rain appears at times to go sideways here in Mumbai as the wind that comes with it is very strong, hence making everything wet). As a result her pant got wet on her behind. She supposedly tried to tell the teacher but she didn’t understand her or Mira didn’t speak up enough. So she ended up wearing the wet pants until we came to pick her up. As soon as she walked out of the classroom there was huge drama and crying about the pants J. When I explained to the teacher what was going on the teacher got so upset that she hadn’t understood Mira that I almost felt bad for her!  

Some things are moving along her…..today we finally got SIM cards………it will however take 2 days to activate them!!! Don’t understand….and don’t even want to try to understand the reason why it takes so long. So hopefully in 2 days we will have a local number (right now I have to make an international call to get the driver to bring the car – that is about at least 6 calls a day – just for that).We also went by the apartment. Things are moving along there. We met the internet guy who is going to setup the router and access point for the internet within the apt. In Iceland you can hardly find anyone to help fix something around the house but in India that appears not to be the case. I swear there were like 20 guys working on the apt. Then at one time the doorbell rang and 5 more walked in. Don’t let this fool you though as it doesn’t mean that things get done any faster! They don’t have all the tools/technology that we are accustomed to and to me at least appear to be doing things rather primitively. The quality of work is also not always that good as the handymen/workers don’t think about details. If you want a power plug they will make one for you but not in the corner or down by the floor rather where it is most convenient – in the middle of the wall! I’m trying to look at the humor in this but at times it is just amazing how people will not think at all but just do!  We have included some pictures of the apt. in the stage that it is in now.

 

They are saying 2 weeks….and I´m hoping they will stick to it….but then you never know….hehe J Today I also learned a new acronym….IST…..that is Indian Stretch Time. This is so true. Bala had a meeting today at 1pm at the hotel but they guy finally showed up at 2pm – which in Europe at least is consider pretty late and rude.

Athugasemdir

[Ingibjörg Sif (IP-tala skráð) 14.8.2008 kl. 08:29]

Hi hi. It´s good to hear that Mira is OK with school - so far!  I hope she´ll enjoy it.  I thought it only rained sideways in Iceland!  It´s been sunny here since you left, it´s been a great summer.  Keep on taking pictures for us  to see how things are going.  I hope you´ll have the apt. soon - you have to have a home!  Best wishes - Ingibjörg Sif

[Laura and co. (IP-tala skráð) 15.8.2008 kl. 12:56]

Hi guys,

good to know you have arrived safe and sound! I knew Mira would be happy at school, she gets along with everyone. Giacomo is still determined to come and visit her....

Looking forward to hear from you, all the best

Laura, Aurelio, Giacomo and Alexandra