Change doesn't come easy...

     Our first week in the apartment, and while it's nice to have our own place, there is still so much to get use to.  Start-up cost for living in another locale, while maintaining things back home, means that we must make do with the bare essentials; hard lessons for the kids, and in some ways, mom. "Good things don't come easy", as the saying goes, and while living like a local is not near as glamorous, or "good", as living like a tourist, I had prayed that this be a time of total reliance on the Lord in a way that me and the kids had never experienced. In this way, it is good.  However, change doesn't come easy, so there are several things we are having to get use to.
~No air conditioning!  While the high 80's sound like a cool front to everyone back home (we are hearing about the 108 degree temps!), living indoors without a/c means getting use to a constant sweat.  The cost of electricity is so high on the island (2-3 times our cost of energy) that a/c is reserved for the bedrooms where people who do have them run them only at night.  The tropical rains that come across the island almost daily do help to cool things down a bit, but getting use to having no where to go to get out of the heat is a silent challenge among all five of us.  I say silent because we are doing a good job of dealing with it for the most part; it has not proven unbearable.  It's no wonder we are ready to go to sleep around 7 oclock when it gets dark...we are so exhausted from the heat and can't wait to turn on a/c in bedroom!
~Yes, it is completely dark by 7 o'clock.  We are in the Eastern time zone, just an hour ahead; however, Puerto Rico is so far east that the sun rises really early, therefore, it goes down really early as well.  Sure makes getting up early a bit easier, which has been helpful to motivate me and Naomi toward our morning run.
~  The cost of groceries! I mentioned the gallon of milk I bought for $6 the other day.  Already having to live as frugal as possible, the cost of groceries is proving to be a double challenge when one walk down the grocery isle will leave anyone from the states with their jaw dropping. Everything is two to four dollars higher than what we pay at home.  I have a feeling leftovers will be going a long way in our little apartment!:) They already have, as the kids have woken up on two occasions, happy to eat what was left over from the previous day's lunch.
~People everywhere! While this may be a term for stating the obvious, never have I experienced the feeling of claustrophobia in a society.  There are 4 million people living on the island which is only 90 miles east to west, and 30 miles in a north/south direction! Nowhere can you see (and feel) this more than on the freeways and in the stores.  My friend Keli has lived on the island for 3 years and has only been to Wal-Mart 3 times!  She refuses to go to the stores if she doesn't have to (and with three under the age of 5, this is understandable). 
~"Slow and easy wins the race".  This will be our motto for living when we return home, no doubt. However, this is perhaps the hardest thing to learn. As Americans we are programmed to fast-forward mode in everything we do and expect.  Not so here. Forget taking care of 2 to 3 things in one day; it simply won't happen. As I already stated, a trip to the grocery store, or Wal-Mart, takes all day. If the lines in the store are not wrapped around like a theme park ride, the cars in the parking lot are!  This goes for the malls, the freeways, and the little side streets that I have attempted, thinking my American logic will outsmart these islanders.  Ha! Jokes on me. I've found out quickly that the sides streets are blocked up too. One wrong exit off a freeway usually results in a 10-20 minute mistake before finding my way again.  Sunday mornings, and evenings, are the best times for getting around.
     While in the midst of these everyday occurances, annoyances and hinderances, I find myself remembering the words of Paul who said, "Be anxious for nothing", exhorting us instead to be thankful (Philippians 4:6). It is at days end that I am encouraged by his words further in Philippians 4:12-13 where he has learned to be content in all situations because the source of his strength and endurance is Christ Jesus.  This is my prayer for each of you!
Until next time.....ADIOS from San Juan!!





This is where our morning run ends. Not bad.

                                          

A day after school

                                                                 


Me and Cervantes. Spanish novelist, playwright and poet, best known for Don Quiote!