Finally - some English!

It's 7.30am on Saturday January 5th. The house is still sleeping and I've managed to sneak downstairs to finally write down my thoughts over the last 3 days. So - let's backtrack just a little so nothing is forgotten.

Wednesday 2nd Jan: The Departure. What a whirlwind of emotion.

Panic: Finding out that important documents that had been sent to Brisbane required a new delivery address. Try finding anyone who is not away on Jan 2nd! Success with the help of dear family friends and a specific delivery deadline.

Desperation: Having used it all throughout the morning, updating all contact details, making 4 international calls and frankly being rather in love with my fab new mobile phone, it went walkabout in the last 30 mins before we left. Yes - there were tears. There was panic (again) and finally acceptance that my phone would guard the house and not join us on our adventure. Sigh. Please use Ale's mobile to contact us +39 339 751 4454.

Love: As the engines roared for take off, holding hands with Ale and smiling at each other. No words could describe that moment of relief, satisfaction and excitment.

Realisation: After all these months of planning, we were finally on holiday.....for 6 months!

Wonder: Staring out the window of the plane as we plateaued out, Sofia stared out at the Alps blanketed in the colours of sunset and captured the moment with a 'Wooooowwww'. You can never bore of that view.

Determination: Having discovered that the headsets not only plugged into the arm of the chair (very cool) but there was also sound, Sofia decided to watch the whole of Madagascar 3 in moving pictures only. She was captivated. We were thrilled.

Wednesday 2nd Jan: The Arrival.

Creativity: The Americans have a brilliant competitive spirit when it comes to neighbourhood Christmas lights. The streets of Astoria at night are awash with colour, gardens filled with Santas, snowmen and reindeers and eves dripping with flickering lights. Check out Ale's earlier photos!

Heaven: Sinking into our 'cloud bed' at 2am. I honestly have never slept in such a comfortable and super high bed before! I felt like the 'Princess and the Pea'. Without the pea.

These first few days in NYC have been really lovely.

                                                                         
Hearty breakys every morning thanks to Laura's skill in the kitchen!

 

Suvlaki on the streets of Astoria - yum, yum.

 
Watching Ale's face driving through Manhatten for the first time, taking in the incredible views when you simply 'look up'.

 

                                                                       
Walking through Madison Square Park at nighfall. Me holding a sleeping Sofia while Ale took some beautiful photos.
 
Going to the local supermarket. How I've missed Anglo-Saxon variety of products!

Having a Turkish dinner and a bottle of Sancerre with Soo (my oldest and dearest girlfriend) reminiscing, laughing and re-connecting. Nothing beats your girlfirends!
 
So here we find ourselves again. It's 8.15am and people are waking up. Today, we move from family in Astoria to friends in Manhatten. An easy day of sightseeing with our friend Michael, followed by dinner at home with friends. Lovely!