As we were sitting in our brand new apartment, drinking scotch and physically and mentally collapsing, our doorbell rang. It was Matt. He is faculty at AUC and a volunteer mentor/friend for those just arriving. He lives in our neighborhood and knew we were scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening, so he stopped by to say hello and see if we needed anything.
Our original reaction was, “Are you insane? We just arrived and are exhausted.” But after chatting for a bit we decided to go for a quick tour around the neighborhood. Matt brought us to a little Italian place (?Didos?) not far from the Hostel where we had a light “dinner” of Caprese salad, mushroom and garlic salad and bruschetta. After gastronomic pick-me-up, we wandered around the neighborhood and found the grocery stores etc. We got back to the apartment, feeling a bit more settled and knowledgeable and promptly slept HARD.
We met Matt on Wednesday to go to the University to begin the paperwork bonanza. We got IDs, opened a bank account, found my office and got a brief look at the area of town where the University is located. On our way home, we picked up coffee beans (Nescafe is nasty), a grinder and a coffee maker! We are beginning to make our apartment into our home. We have COFFEE!
Matt has been wonderfully patient with us. He has helped us find many “odd” items that we’ve needed. Things ranging from coffee beans to where to get passport photos and how to work the taxis. We are still getting used to walking IN the street (necessitated by non-existant sidewalks or impassible sidewalks), and crossing THROUGH traffic – while it is moving! I’ve jay walked all my life, but this is ridiculous.