Trekking Barris

Friday, May 08, 2009

Greetings from Napoli





The last week in California was very hectic! We flew back from Saudi, via Bahrain on March 20th and spent the weekend in LA helping my brother move to the beach. He's now got an ocean-view apartment in Venice Beach (and our surfboards which we can use when we visit!). It's great and he loves it!

After a few days of work, while Jeff organized our entire shipments, we flew to Italy - that Friday 3/27 - exactly 1 week after getting back from Saudi.

And the flight - with the cats! And Morgan! You can just imagine - going through all the security check-points, taking the cats out of their cages to walk them through the detectors,taking Morgan's stroller apart, and her car seat out, etc! We did it in San Diego, then again in LAX after hopping on the terminal commuter bus, and in Germany before finally arriving in Naples.

But we made it! It's been great!

We have found a place to live in Vomero which is like the La Jolla of Naples. It's on a hill up above the city with great metro connection, right next to a beautiful park the Villa Floridana (which has an ocean view), and it's very clean and safe. We're happy. We move in in another month after the landlord finishes painting and redoing the kitchen (Italians rent places without cabinets, cupboards, light fixtures, toilets!).

We are already planning trips! Last weekend we were in Rome for our 2nd anniversary. Memorial Day we are going on a MWR-sponsored trip to Corfu Greece! The end of June I've got a training in Sicily so we'll all go down there and with 4th of July - I will be able to take the week off. Our car should be here by then so we can drive and explore. Oh and middle of June we are all going to Germany - I've got a conference there so we're going to explore the weekends before/after on our own.

While our apt gets finished, we are staying at the Support Site which is where Morgan's daycare is, the hospital, our temp apt, and Applebees (the only real restaurant on base). We were very lucky to get her a spot in daycare. It's nothing like Susan's though, but after 2 weeks she's got a pal and has bonded with the caregivers. It's cheap, and the hours are great - 6 AM to 6:30 PM - as many hours as you need Mon-Fri!!! Very clean and includes food. It's very convenient. Right now she's in a few hours a day for socialization and so it's not a shock when Jeff gets a job. Jeff in his free time has been able to apply for jobs and explore. It's all a slow process, but we're patient (or rather I'm working hard on mine!). :-)

As far as my work goes - let's just say it wasn't only a 9 hour time difference from CA but a 20+ year time warp in terms of environmental programs! I do think in 3-5 years time I will really be able to make a difference and that's fun. Plus I am learning new skills, using my industrial hygiene and safety licenses more, and we get more family time.

With the gym right next to work, I've been able to start working out again regularly which I love. I've met a woman that is in a running group and she's been showing me some runs off base. That's fun to have a running buddy! Though she's a marathoner and wants to convince me to run the Rome marathon in March. We'll see...

I do have to say my days are long - I am working 9 hours, plus the gym, so I can have every other Friday off. I don't spend a lot of time commuting and everthing is so efficient since it's right there - so as soon as I get done with work there are about 10 different playgrounds I can take Mo to play at. It's nice. Last night there was a free concert on the quad with 2 bands that came in the States. They were great! We hung out with my friend Ellen (co-worker from San Diego too) and had wine on the quad.

Actually Ellen's car is here and she's going to be moving into her place, with a gorgeous ocean-view next week. She's going to take us there Sat to see it! Should be fun!

Here are a few photos from the Easter extravanagza at Carney Park (rec facility with a golf course, climbing wall, gym). Check out the Easter Dog?!

Morgan is doing great - she's crawling everywhere and pulling up. She loves to slide at the park and is super tall!! She's a very happy baby - we are really lucky. And she's a great traveller! I can get her to nap upright in her baby bjorn when we are out on the go!

Hugs and love,

Liz

1 Comments:

At 11:36 AM, Blogger cec said...

Miss Morgan is so adorable! Glad you guys are settling in. Your new place sounds wonderful!

We miss you!

 

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