short update

Today is quite the day! I am sitting here in a mall in Maldonado with the luxury of wireless internet. The process of getting here made me very grateful for big sisters. Especially big sisters who speak Spanish and who have navigated their way in places they've never seen in the pouring rain. Yes, I think Genevieve fits that definition. It was quite the adventure. Today it was literally a storm here... lighting strikes and thunder, which is surprising after all the sun and nice weather. About a week ago, having completed our Spanish language intensive school, (picture of us with teachers and class-mates..) our family abandoned the confines of the city and went to a town in the country called "Piriapolis." After re-packing all our stuff, (which hadn't gotten any easier since November 5th) we took 3 taxis and went to the bus station. Initially, we were shocked to hear that they had absolutely no records of our reservation for 7 people. But fortunately they were able to fit us in an hour later.
The drive was as comfortable as the outside was beautiful. I was asleep most of the time, but I saw just enough: the bus driving away from the last of the city (seeing in the light of day, the airport we had arrived at)... and the bus entering into a paradise on earth.
The drive was along the coast almost the whole way. There is a Rambla here too (walkway which goes through the entire town on the coast,) and on the other side were lots of small houses separated by alleyways which seemed to lead to and infinity of living green things of all kinds. We arrived at the bus station, and there was fortunately people to pick us up who my mom knew, and who spoke english. They transported all our luggage and even made us dinner! It is so nice to finally have our space to ourselves! I know that sounds terribly selfish, but when one has a family of 7 with two loud children, I think such a feeling is justified. (Our apartment is the one on the right side in the pic... "La Rondinella.")
The next few days was just relaxing and getting a feel for the place. I would have to say that the nicest thing about our new habitat, is how we are walking distance from just about everything including the beach. ( a few pictures attached..)
The peace and quiet here is so nice and I am happy too be here, but missing home.
I have to go right now... catching a bus.
I hope you are all well!
love,
Fiona