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Carrie Rodriguez 
Great morning of sleeping in till 8! Julie was feeding a bagel with cream cheese to Diego while he finished his cereal waiting for the eggs to cook. And you know he ate it all. Tried some bowling again and lots of running from room to room. Andres was up for a bike ride, intending to be back before the commissary opened at 11 (yah, the only grocery store opens at 11am) with for the purpose of us going to get the groceries and be home before the repairman comes to work on the dryer again. It has been off for almost a week now. It is great to have the heating towel racks in the bathrooms which also double as clothes dryers. (We have a standing offer from Ramirez’ to use their dryer if it is needed.) It took almost 2 hours to get ready to go from the time Diego was dressed with his shoes on. And by then Andres was back and it was decided we would go while he and Diego stayed at the house.
With the stroller ready to pack with groceries for our return trip, Isabella was ready to shop for the first time. We split the list and were done in good time. They did not have the frig alpha magnets but we found more numbers. Think we found everything else on the list except coffee because we are hoping to find German coffee in town this afternoon when we take the train. This will be the best thing to take for Andreina if we can find it! Then came time to pack the stroller. Adrianna is a pro-heavy stuff in the bottom of the stroller, more in the empty back pack, some in the diaper bag, eggs on top of the stroller shade and that left just a couple light bags to carry. I had flash backs to parking lots in Nogales when the families would come from Mexico and want to take things back duty-free; they would unwrap everything and put it in their empty suitcases they brought with them, tossing the empty packaging and bags which were now unnecessary. That stroller was so heavy and the pack Julie carried was heavy and I had a couple light bags…Got home as Isabella was checking to see if we were really listening to her explanation of being hungry. Walked in to a touching sight of Andres and Diego sleeping on the couch together. While Isabella was fed we re-filled the frig. Julie and I wanted to get the house ready for a week with less stress. We found out Andres will be able to be at home the rest of the wee, too, which will make the transition to a grandmother-free zone more manageable. Knowing Diego’s reaction to friends leaving after short visits, we are praying for them as much as for us not being together. Had lunch of our leftovers from The Rose and the cappuccino Julie bought us on our way home from the commissary with an Easter strawberry egg as a treat. Diego polished off the pizza, tossing the pepperoni. His first sight of the new numbers prompted, “Is that a gun?” when he saw the long division sign on the frig. Isabella got a bath and went down for a nap.
Julie got Diego all set for a trip to the playground as the dryer repairman arrived. Now we wait to see if the afternoon is a go.
Was it a go? Yes. The dryer needs to be replaced and should be installed on Friday. This means we can not wash our sheets and towels when we leave but they can be cleaned on Friday. We sure hope this will cut the drying time from all night long to an hour!
We walked to the train station with both kids in the stroller and the sun on our backs. It was a fine day. It took about half an hour to walk; we talked all the way down. Diego was such a happy camper; how does he ride in his stroller for so long without getting out to run like a 2 year old I don’t know. Arriving at the station included a couple flights of stairs because the elevators just don’t work as efficiently as everything else. The trains run about every 5-10 minutes! It was rush hour and lots of passengers were on the platform. Squeezed into the last car of probably over 10 and off we went Diego’s eyes wide with pleasure, “Cool”. We saw a man with a bike which folded like an N with the wheels turning in to the frame and carried by either the handles or the seat and took up much less room in the train than the bike in front of us and the stroller we were using. A few stops later we were in the rail center with about 5 levels of trains passing over and under us. Using the escalator, we made it up to street level and began our search for the Rathaus which would have been the main gathering location in the old city. We took in the wonder of very new construction across a narrow walkway from buildings hundreds of years old, the new combining both architecture styles. Large chunks of sidewalk are designated to SmartCar parking where the cars line up, several in a row, to evade the wait for street parking without meters. We passed a Toni and Guy salon, thinking we did not know it was an international chain. There were bikes for rent which were activated by phone and a swiped credit card. The card reader was on the bike stand and the locks looked like they were remotely released by a phone call. Not all the street signs are on sign posts; some are on the buildings themselves. Because they were coming in from a different direction this time it was a challenge (which was won) to find the restaurant. Just before we went in Andres found a candy shop for us. It was great to find the coffee we were looking for, too. Then it was time for dinner.
Andres was sure the restaurant employees knew we were Americans because we waited to be seated. Germans find the table they want and seat themselves. We were given a fine table with a booth and chairs, a high chair and the farthest back area of the room. They also switched servers for us, giving us a woman who seemed very happy to help us. We all had a fine selection; the most interesting was Adrianna’s. Her fitness salad order came with turkey and a baked potato. The potato surprised me as being part of the fitness title, it had so much sour cream and a large serving of butter, too; it looked delicious. Diego liked the small glass goblets because his was light enough for him to hold and drink out of (no gas water from a liter bottle is non-carbonated bottled water). He started drinking water after he was done with his wisely packed crackers and popcorn (or ‘pop’ in Diegoize). About this time he was also getting a little restless (hour 3 in the sitting position). So he spilled a little. Andres gave him a napkin and told him to dry his mouth, then his face, then eyes, ears, nose, hands, and he went on repeating and changing the order then added, “Butt”. Hmmm, that kid proceeded to wipe. And each time Andres started the series as a distraction again, Diego started with his butt even though it was not mentioned. This was very funny. We asked for our check and were on our way out.
All the businesses in the shopping area (several blocks square) were closed, being 8pm. There were several coffee shops and restaurants open with their outside seating looking so inviting. We did not see any blankets on the chairs tonight; it was warm enough the proprietors did not feel they were needed. Adrianna selected the shop we would order our coffee from and Andres kept the kids outside, showing Diego some points of interest, like pigeons. Ordering was a trick, the menu was in Italian. I ordered a macchiato and was surprised by what I got. It was a tiny cup with about an ounce of espresso topped with a dollop of foam. It was fun to drink; definitely needed a little sugar this time. Adrianna and Julie had a cappuccino in 2 variations and Andres received a Red Bull served in a glass, no ice. Diego got his juice and we all enjoyed the sun nearly setting. Now we were off to the train station. This time we did find a working elevator-it moved vertically down not just up and down, more like an escalator without steps. The train ride brought us back to our walk and the beautiful evening. Even with stopping to let Isabella eat, the walk home seemed shorter, probably because we knew where we were headed.
Now it was time to get the suitcases from the storage room downstairs and fill them up. I underestimated the time I needed for this. It did not take too long but longer than the 15 minutes I expected. Jasmine called to see if she could come say bye. She had stopped by earlier and was concerned because we were not home but the car was there. It all came clear when she heard we took the train. She and Greg bought more baby clothes and goodies for Isabella which had been sent by his mom. Jasmine also had some muffins for our breakfast. Think the next time we will see her will be her wedding (the second one, the celebration event) in August. I had a shower and Julie and Adrianna had Jello- great end of our trip. Left a 6am wake-up call with Adrianna and Andres because I did not have an alarm on my phone since it was turned off. Thank you Father God for all the wonderful things which we have experienced and learned and enjoyed and saw Your hand moving in.
With the stroller ready to pack with groceries for our return trip, Isabella was ready to shop for the first time. We split the list and were done in good time. They did not have the frig alpha magnets but we found more numbers. Think we found everything else on the list except coffee because we are hoping to find German coffee in town this afternoon when we take the train. This will be the best thing to take for Andreina if we can find it! Then came time to pack the stroller. Adrianna is a pro-heavy stuff in the bottom of the stroller, more in the empty back pack, some in the diaper bag, eggs on top of the stroller shade and that left just a couple light bags to carry. I had flash backs to parking lots in Nogales when the families would come from Mexico and want to take things back duty-free; they would unwrap everything and put it in their empty suitcases they brought with them, tossing the empty packaging and bags which were now unnecessary. That stroller was so heavy and the pack Julie carried was heavy and I had a couple light bags…Got home as Isabella was checking to see if we were really listening to her explanation of being hungry. Walked in to a touching sight of Andres and Diego sleeping on the couch together. While Isabella was fed we re-filled the frig. Julie and I wanted to get the house ready for a week with less stress. We found out Andres will be able to be at home the rest of the wee, too, which will make the transition to a grandmother-free zone more manageable. Knowing Diego’s reaction to friends leaving after short visits, we are praying for them as much as for us not being together. Had lunch of our leftovers from The Rose and the cappuccino Julie bought us on our way home from the commissary with an Easter strawberry egg as a treat. Diego polished off the pizza, tossing the pepperoni. His first sight of the new numbers prompted, “Is that a gun?” when he saw the long division sign on the frig. Isabella got a bath and went down for a nap.
Julie got Diego all set for a trip to the playground as the dryer repairman arrived. Now we wait to see if the afternoon is a go.
Was it a go? Yes. The dryer needs to be replaced and should be installed on Friday. This means we can not wash our sheets and towels when we leave but they can be cleaned on Friday. We sure hope this will cut the drying time from all night long to an hour!
We walked to the train station with both kids in the stroller and the sun on our backs. It was a fine day. It took about half an hour to walk; we talked all the way down. Diego was such a happy camper; how does he ride in his stroller for so long without getting out to run like a 2 year old I don’t know. Arriving at the station included a couple flights of stairs because the elevators just don’t work as efficiently as everything else. The trains run about every 5-10 minutes! It was rush hour and lots of passengers were on the platform. Squeezed into the last car of probably over 10 and off we went Diego’s eyes wide with pleasure, “Cool”. We saw a man with a bike which folded like an N with the wheels turning in to the frame and carried by either the handles or the seat and took up much less room in the train than the bike in front of us and the stroller we were using. A few stops later we were in the rail center with about 5 levels of trains passing over and under us. Using the escalator, we made it up to street level and began our search for the Rathaus which would have been the main gathering location in the old city. We took in the wonder of very new construction across a narrow walkway from buildings hundreds of years old, the new combining both architecture styles. Large chunks of sidewalk are designated to SmartCar parking where the cars line up, several in a row, to evade the wait for street parking without meters. We passed a Toni and Guy salon, thinking we did not know it was an international chain. There were bikes for rent which were activated by phone and a swiped credit card. The card reader was on the bike stand and the locks looked like they were remotely released by a phone call. Not all the street signs are on sign posts; some are on the buildings themselves. Because they were coming in from a different direction this time it was a challenge (which was won) to find the restaurant. Just before we went in Andres found a candy shop for us. It was great to find the coffee we were looking for, too. Then it was time for dinner.
Andres was sure the restaurant employees knew we were Americans because we waited to be seated. Germans find the table they want and seat themselves. We were given a fine table with a booth and chairs, a high chair and the farthest back area of the room. They also switched servers for us, giving us a woman who seemed very happy to help us. We all had a fine selection; the most interesting was Adrianna’s. Her fitness salad order came with turkey and a baked potato. The potato surprised me as being part of the fitness title, it had so much sour cream and a large serving of butter, too; it looked delicious. Diego liked the small glass goblets because his was light enough for him to hold and drink out of (no gas water from a liter bottle is non-carbonated bottled water). He started drinking water after he was done with his wisely packed crackers and popcorn (or ‘pop’ in Diegoize). About this time he was also getting a little restless (hour 3 in the sitting position). So he spilled a little. Andres gave him a napkin and told him to dry his mouth, then his face, then eyes, ears, nose, hands, and he went on repeating and changing the order then added, “Butt”. Hmmm, that kid proceeded to wipe. And each time Andres started the series as a distraction again, Diego started with his butt even though it was not mentioned. This was very funny. We asked for our check and were on our way out.
All the businesses in the shopping area (several blocks square) were closed, being 8pm. There were several coffee shops and restaurants open with their outside seating looking so inviting. We did not see any blankets on the chairs tonight; it was warm enough the proprietors did not feel they were needed. Adrianna selected the shop we would order our coffee from and Andres kept the kids outside, showing Diego some points of interest, like pigeons. Ordering was a trick, the menu was in Italian. I ordered a macchiato and was surprised by what I got. It was a tiny cup with about an ounce of espresso topped with a dollop of foam. It was fun to drink; definitely needed a little sugar this time. Adrianna and Julie had a cappuccino in 2 variations and Andres received a Red Bull served in a glass, no ice. Diego got his juice and we all enjoyed the sun nearly setting. Now we were off to the train station. This time we did find a working elevator-it moved vertically down not just up and down, more like an escalator without steps. The train ride brought us back to our walk and the beautiful evening. Even with stopping to let Isabella eat, the walk home seemed shorter, probably because we knew where we were headed.
Now it was time to get the suitcases from the storage room downstairs and fill them up. I underestimated the time I needed for this. It did not take too long but longer than the 15 minutes I expected. Jasmine called to see if she could come say bye. She had stopped by earlier and was concerned because we were not home but the car was there. It all came clear when she heard we took the train. She and Greg bought more baby clothes and goodies for Isabella which had been sent by his mom. Jasmine also had some muffins for our breakfast. Think the next time we will see her will be her wedding (the second one, the celebration event) in August. I had a shower and Julie and Adrianna had Jello- great end of our trip. Left a 6am wake-up call with Adrianna and Andres because I did not have an alarm on my phone since it was turned off. Thank you Father God for all the wonderful things which we have experienced and learned and enjoyed and saw Your hand moving in.
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