Logistics and gear

We have no car here.  So far we have done fine walking, taking taxis, and taking buses. Taking the bus, however, involves a bit of a guessing game.  We are never quite sure where it will take us.  Each bus line appears to be run by a different company, so there is no official bus map.  We bought a barely-legible photocopied map with some of the main bus routes hand drawn with highlighters at an English-language bookstore, but it is only marginally helpful.  Instead, we use the list of principal streets and landmarks each bus passes that covers a third to half of the windshield.  Once on the bus, I rely on Natalie to recognize a landmark near our destination to know when to get off.  So far we have not gotten lost, although it was a little dicey the other night when, returning from soccer practice, we boarded a bus with blacked-out windows (presumably to protect against the sun).  Still, we made it.

We try to board buses only when we know roughly where we will end up.  But if we decide to board any random bus just to see where it takes us, I know which bus I’m choosing.

On today’s agenda: 

* Drop off Helen and Max at school (done).

* Stop by school where Natalie will study Spanish for placement test.

* Continue school-supply treasure hunt.  Yes, treasure hunt.  We received a list of mandatory school supplies for each child.  We’re not talking “text books, notebooks, pens, pencils and a ruler.”  No, we’re talking detailed lists with everything from the exact size and number of pens and pencils, to the colors and binding type for each notebook, to the specifications for pencil sharpeners, and so on.  Helen’s list even includes an entry for “5 black pipe cleaners.”  There does not appear to be a single store with everything, so we get to visit stores across the city trying to cross more items off the list.

Helen's List (45 items)

Max's List (41 items)

(Today's agenda, continued)

* Take Max to soccer practice.

* Dinner

* Bed