The Adventure Underway

 Phew! It's been a big couple of weeks! We're all cozy and settled into our tiny new apartment. Funny, but when I first saw this place I wondered how on earth the three of us would fit in it, but after living here for a few days it seems roomy and fine! Well maybe not roomy, but certainly livable.

Students started school this week and I just finished my second day with kids. We played getting-to-know-you BINGO, made "me" posters, played two truths and a lie, and decorated our library folders. I got my first student hug today- an adorable sideways sneak attack while I was passing out markers. I think I like elementary school!

Last week was filled with loads of prep work. I cut out dozens of bubble letters and had some help

assembling bunches of folders (thanks Lukin!). All the prep work was worth it though as this week has gone very smoothly so far.

A HUGE part of what has made it all go so smoothly is knowing that Abel is spending his afternoons with his dad. Even without the added  stresses of moving to a very foreign country and operating in an extremely foreign language, being a full time care-giver is hard work. Lukin has taken all the challenges in stride and is doing an

 amazing job with Abel. What a dad!

When I'm not working and we are all together, we are generally either walking, or eating. Taipei has an incredible food scene, and our neighborhood is at the center of it. We've been here over two weeks and have eaten at a different restaurant for lunch and dinner every day.


Our favorite breakfast is 包子, delicious steamed buns filled with pork and veggies. Two dollars will buy more of them than you can comfortably eat.

We're also right down the street from 東門市場
market. This HUGE traditional market winds through alleys and between office buildings and covers close to a city block. We walked through this morning and saw everything from lotus root and lychees, to snails and salmon, to lottery tickets and lingerie. We bought a bunch of bright and sweet-smelling tropical fruit.

Abel was a hit at the market and continues to help pave our way here in Taipei. He does everything from get us a break on our rent, to keeping us in good standing with our gate guard, to lowering the price of broccoli. He had a big day out on the town today and took a well-deserved nap after charming it up at the market.

Our family adventure is really underway now and all is well. We miss all of you and are all set up for Skype calls should you care to chat! Much love.

And we're off! Lukin, Abel and I pushed off from the Wabun dock the morning of the 14th and have been on the move ever since. Marg and Dick drove us down to Toronto in the van and treated us to a night at the airport Sheraton. We hopped on the tram this morning (well, yesterday morning now with time zones!) and went to the United terminal for an hour of absolute madness. Two agents faced a throng of at least a hundred passengers and a half a dozen malfunctioning boarding pass kiosks. We found our way to an agent, checked our bags, hugged goodbye and headed off through customs. At security we were met by a United supervisor who escorted us through and led us down a special elevator to our gate- we boarded with moments to spare. 18 hours, two flights, and a continent later- here we are in Tokyo awaiting our final flight to Taipei.

Abel has been a trooper. He is sound asleep in his stroller now, and has been sound asleep for much of the journey. He has also been instrumental in scoring us seats in empty rows and lots of help with bags. We have a bit of time now before takeoff and are off to sample Japanese snacks and hang out in the nursery- an awesome little airport station with cribs and cushy rocking chairs. Looking forward to the last leg of the journey!