OK, so the belongings (read: TOYS) have arrived. It's much easier to be here now, especially recovered from jet lag and with the promise of school starting on Tuesday. M will be attending preschool three days per week, although the first day will include shortened days as part of an "induction" period. Being at home all day is still challenging (especially on rainy days), but we are finding a rhythm. Definitely better when we get out.
We went bike shopping yesterday. The advice we received was to purchase a 50 Euro bike and add a 50 Euro lock, but it seems that will be impossible, since used bikes start at 300 Euro. I suppose we could buy a buy bikes from individuals rather than a used bike store, but that seems like a lot of trouble. But, a bike is like a car here, so I think it's worth it. The guy at the bike store explained that the bikes they sell are like BMWs and Mercedes. I explained that I was thinking more about buying a Toyota. But I suppose we can sell them when we leave.
We interacted quite a bit with locals yesterday: The bike store, the fish market (where I finally sampled the famous salted herring, which was delicious), and at The Little Gym, which had an open house. I don't think we'll be signing M up for any classes. It's a schlep from our apartment--15 minutes on the tram, then another 15 minutes of walking at least-- and at almost 400 Euro per semester seems a bit overpriced. I'm sure I can find another activity for cold, rainy winter days. It was a really fun day.
Tomorrow there is an open house at M's school. We can get his uniforms and hopefully some info about his school day, plus he'll be able to meet his teachers and finally see his classroom.
Showing posts with label shipment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shipment. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Apost--what??
We've had a million things to do to get ready for this move. Most of them are pretty trivial, buying a pair of shoes, packing, taking M to the doctor, saying goodbye to friends. Today I took care of one of the more serious errands: obtaining apostille seals on all of our documents issued by the state of New York.
Never heard of it? You aren't alone. I mentioned it to my sister, the former lawyer and foreign law expert, and she had only a vague recollection of what it is. So, here is your civics lesson for the day: it's a certification of documents for international use. Sort of like an international notarization.
All in all it was a pretty easy thing to do. I ordered a long form birth certificate of M's online and had a copy of our marriage certificate. I looked up the procedure online and new that the secretary of state (for New York, not Hillary Clinton) has an office downtown. So, I happily turned up and learned that I had the wrong type of marriage certificate and needed to get both docs notarized first. OK, I was undeterred, despite the 95 degree heat and oppressive humidity, and having neither a map nor more than a passing understanding about the geography of downtown. But, I had checked google maps (suspecting that the marriage certain might not be the right type) and asked a friendly cop. Thankfully, Mairtin was having fun at camp, since it would have been the dreaded combination of hot, boring and a long walk, all coming dangerously close to nap time.
Marriage bureau, check! City clerk, check! At first I was looking at it as a scavenger hunt, then I had an elaborate fantasy about being on The Amazing Race. Sure, I knew I could make it back to the secretary of state's office faster than those two overweight middle aged women, but could I beat that blonde guy? Turns out, him not knowing he was on The Amazing Race worked in my favor, and I was out the door at 11:30, ahead of him. How much ahead I didn't stick around to find out.
Peter's day didn't meet with as much success. Our move fell apart--literally--the boxes disintegrated between our apartment and the truck, so tomorrow we'll be buying more appropriate boxes and repacking for a pick up re-do on Saturday.
Never heard of it? You aren't alone. I mentioned it to my sister, the former lawyer and foreign law expert, and she had only a vague recollection of what it is. So, here is your civics lesson for the day: it's a certification of documents for international use. Sort of like an international notarization.
All in all it was a pretty easy thing to do. I ordered a long form birth certificate of M's online and had a copy of our marriage certificate. I looked up the procedure online and new that the secretary of state (for New York, not Hillary Clinton) has an office downtown. So, I happily turned up and learned that I had the wrong type of marriage certificate and needed to get both docs notarized first. OK, I was undeterred, despite the 95 degree heat and oppressive humidity, and having neither a map nor more than a passing understanding about the geography of downtown. But, I had checked google maps (suspecting that the marriage certain might not be the right type) and asked a friendly cop. Thankfully, Mairtin was having fun at camp, since it would have been the dreaded combination of hot, boring and a long walk, all coming dangerously close to nap time.
Marriage bureau, check! City clerk, check! At first I was looking at it as a scavenger hunt, then I had an elaborate fantasy about being on The Amazing Race. Sure, I knew I could make it back to the secretary of state's office faster than those two overweight middle aged women, but could I beat that blonde guy? Turns out, him not knowing he was on The Amazing Race worked in my favor, and I was out the door at 11:30, ahead of him. How much ahead I didn't stick around to find out.
Peter's day didn't meet with as much success. Our move fell apart--literally--the boxes disintegrated between our apartment and the truck, so tomorrow we'll be buying more appropriate boxes and repacking for a pick up re-do on Saturday.
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