Alicante

Back at the end of June, when we were so tired of hotel living, I found a beach house and a bus to take us there.  Everyone thought I was brave (or nuts) for taking off across a foreign country with not knowing the language.  But we did it and I feel stronger and braver for it. 

We had a lot of fun hanging out at the beach and pool.  We had a view of the Mediterranean from our living room and bedrooms.  It was beautiful.  It didn't occur to me that Spain might have Palm trees.  So that was so exciting to walk the palm tree-lined streets of Alicante.  It reminds me of Florida.

Off to the Beach in my Big American Van

I can't even put into words how happy I am to have my van here in Spain.  I know it will cost be a bundle in gas and I can't take it easily into the city, but all the other benefits make up for those things.

We are off to the beach today for a week.  Not only do we stand out as Americans because of our van, but check out the license plate.  We are still waiting or our diplomatic tags.  Definitely couldn't fit all this stuff in a Prius (especially Nathan's nine stuffed animals).

New Piano Teacher

With piano lessons at about $60 an hour, we have decided to hire a much cheaper teacher-Erin.  This is her first lesson and it's taking place at 10 pm.  It's amazing how quickly we adjust to the Spanish time and do everything so late.

I pay her $20 an hour for the boys lessons and will increase that to $30 if she does a good job and the boys cooperate for her.  It's a really good deal for both of us especially since Erin won't be able to work until next summer and it will have to be at the U.S. Embassy just for the summer.  Americans aren't able to take jobs away from the locals.  With high unemployment rates here, that is completely understandable.

Thank goodness the piano arrived with not even a scratch!  It did have some goo which at first we thought was a scratch, but with some heavy scrubbing, it came off.