We have Keys.

We are the apartment on in the middle level of the building. The owners live above us. The entry is on the right. The underground garage is in the middle.

one of 3 bedrooms, not huge, but all have built in closets and windows and a bright paintjob!

our super teeny, tiny kitchen.


view from our living room. 3 blocks from the main plaza.

front door. door to the kitchen and hallway on the left. at least this door is wide enough to bring in our large sofa, if we can get it up the stairs.

Mr. Zavaleta in his new living room. A bright color scheme, but I prefer it to white walls.

You know it is the little things that count in life, but when you live in a new culture whether it's moving from Manhattan to the Bronx or South Carolina to Oregon, it can be everything. It’s amazing how much a single interaction, or the successful completion of a task can make my day and contribute to my happiness here. Conversely, a failed task or misunderstanding can be devastating. Who knew I was so sensitive?

As I mentioned before, I was nervous about starting over in a new city, but what I failed to realize/remember is that I have actually learned something in the last two years. I am not starting from scratch. It seems obvious, but I admit it did escape me. How is it that we can so easily doubt ourselves at time of change? To imagine the worst? It could be pregnancy but somehow I don't think so. There is something else going on. As this is Lent and a time of purgation and renovation, I want to remember this lesson. We are never in the same place twice. We are every day new and if we are lucky our past experiences give us wisdom for the future, if we are willing to listen and remember.

Anyway, n the past two days I have been able to orient myself to the area with a fair amount of success. I am working on getting phone/internet installed, got a map from the tourist center and located all the important locations like postoffice, food, gym etc. I also had a list of things to ask the owner ready to go. She was quite impressed with my N. American sense of organization and somehow they reduced the price again. They are very happy to have us. She was cute and super chatty. They are a sweet couple who are happy to have a nice, young couple in their apt (that's us).

The other funny thing about houses/apt here....they come with an employee's quarters. Super small room, a bathroom and separate entrance. I guess lots of people have either live in nanny's or a housekeeper/cook etc. That is not us at the moment so we thankfully have more room for storage and an extra bathroom. Overall it is less square footage than we have now, but it is all on 1 level and other than the kitchen a good layout and size. We have 3 bedrooms. 1.5 bathrooms, living room/dining room (great room), kitchen, outside laundry area and employee room and full bathroom. It will be interesting to see how it looks with all our stuff in it. I am looking forward to it now actually. I never really felt moved into the place we have now. I didn't take care to really set it up or make it my own. I guess I never knew that we were staying or what was going on, so I didn't take time to settle in, but I feel it is important to me to feel at home.....in my home. It is timed quite nicely with this nesting thing that is supposed to happen. We'll see what develops. I think I may finally even buy some plants!

The other super plus. Hot water tank for the bathroom. This is not to be undervalued!

Okay, so enough of the mushy stuff. If you made it this far......