Settling In ...

We survived the flight on Friday. Kids were pretty good. Nickelodeon and Disney channels on the long flight were a big help. They slept most of the flight across the States. We then had a wait of 90 minutes for our luggage so arrived at our apartment around 7pm on Friday night. Louise from the Embassy had bought some basic food items which made things easier. Although we took the kids up to McDonalds for dinner on Friday night as a bit of a reward for getting here.

The differences in the Macca's menu and the food / laundry items in the Safeway opposite mean that even these basic things take way too long sorting out what are things you hardly think about back home. Things like what is the equivalent of Radiant laundry liquid and Finish dishwasher powder? Still have to find a cheese that the kids will eat as well - even the macaroni and cheese was rejected on Sunday night ...

Spent Saturday doing some of the DC sights. Started at the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaur skeletons etc. Although the kids were less impressed than we were. We then went down the National Mall, past the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Monument to check we were on the right planet and the apes hadn't taken over again. Then back home via the White House. Think we walked at least 7 km. Kieren was very tired by the end but did a good job for a four year old. Think picking dandelions and other wild flowers out of the grass near the sides of the paths was the highlight of the kids' day!

Went down to Pentagon City to do some shopping on Sunday for the basics we need here. Turned around in Best Buys to find both of them asleep curled up on the floor in front of a big screen tv! Olivia was totally exhausted and had to carry her asleep back to the Metro station. Kieren was only slightly better. Hoping that a big sleep on Sunday night will help get them back on track and into the local time zone. They are still getting up too early and not making it through the day. A late start on Monday and an easy day at home would help.

Our apartment is on the top floor, level 9 but called the penthouse level. Have some views across town but not of anything spectacular.

We had a talk to the phone companies today about a sim card for Donna's mobile. Need to work through plans but likely that we need a social security number to get a decent plan which requires a credit check. Not sure how long it takes to get a social security number - need to start with a local bank account and credit card which Malcolm will talk to the Embassy about in the next couple of days. So Donna will keep using her Australian mobile for the next few days when she needs it.

Malcolm & Donna