Almost three weeks have passed since we left the world of Rockford, Michigan and flew across the ocean and halfway across Europe to Slovakia! Seems like a lot longer, should the truth be told. There is no gradual transition, nothing gentle about it!
Suddenly I have a tiny washing machine, no dryer and laundry for four people. I need to do laundry daily because of the time it takes both in the washer and to dry on the rack. I am still trying to figure out where to dry the sheets. I have a vacuum cleaner - I think that is a luxury. It's a good thing, because I haven't seen a Swiffer in the store (yet) and these tile and hardwood floors show everything. I am even wearing the slippers we bought for guests because I can't stand all those little particles on the bottoms of my feet. No one wears shoes in the house and it is courteous to have some extra slippers by the door.
I have no car, no automobile independence to go any place I want. No quick trip to K Mart or Meijer to get the best price on Kraft Macaroni 'n Cheese. We don't even have ANY boxed macaroni and cheese. Although the kids haven't missed it, I have. What a convenient way to fill them up--cook the pasta, throw in some milk, butter and the "cheese" powder and you're done. Only slightly less convenient than going to the Wendy's drive-thru.
Our house in Rockford had three bathrooms which included four sinks! Here we all share our miniature bathroom/laundry room. We can't all fit in it at once. The toilet is a separate "room", although it is more like a closet. We have a shower hose and sprayer in the tub, but the sprayer it isn't hooked to the wall. Just attached to the bathtub spout. No real showers in this flat.
Dishes - we have fewer, but it is a good thing because we have no dishwasher. I still don't enjoy doing dishes. We don't have a double sink, just a small one that serves as both washer and rinser. Sometimes a big pot works to wash in and I still have room to rinse.
Cooking - the oven scares me. I tried to light it (with a match) yesterday, but after I got it lit it quickly went out. I shut the gas off right away. I can't stand the thought of blowing up the house trying to cook a frozen pizza........ I will use the stove for now. I have the burners figured out. We have a microwave and the first bag of popcorn popped even better than Orville Redenbachers.
Grocery shopping - I feel like a first grader trying to read the labels. I can't read Slovak and there are few imported goods with English. It takes me lots of time to figure out what I'm buying and if there is no picture I'm lost. I had help from my friend to buy the right kind of flour, sugar and salt. She wrote down the Slovak words, so I took the paper to the store as my cheat sheet. You bring your own bags and bag your groceries yourself. I'll never complain again about how my groceries are packed in the bags at Meijer. I do a pretty lousy job. The next challenge is carrying everything home, up the stairs and into the elevator. When the Tesco opens up a block away, shopping and hauling will be much, much more convenient. It is supposed to open in a couple of weeks.
Weather - this wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have to worry about a sudden rainstorm. The temperatures are comfortable but it seems like there is always the threat of rain. So we haul the umbrellas and raincoats along on the bus or to school.
Friends & family - goes without saying that I miss everyone.....
Love from Bratislava,
Carolyn
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