Today is Saturday, and so no school work planned for today. We were instead on the hunt for English speaking activities for the girls, and headed for a different YMCA than last Saturday. But before that – breakfast, both girls had video chats with friends from home, and laundry. We have no dryer, so everything is dried on the line on the front balcony (I just snapped the line on the back balcony yesterday, it was very old and threadbare).
So we set out around 10am, walked to the train and travelled to a new area, and found our way to the Y. It was full on decorated for Halloween already, which the girls found very cute and reassuring. Some normalcy, maybe? We, and our Google Translate apps on our phones, had a long conversation with the staff, and decided the girls would come try out a bouldering class later on in the afternoon. We gained all the knowledge we needed to come back confident, and I had a surprise for the girls once back out on the streets.
But first, we had a quick walk through this new area, and said Hi Hi to this building:
I had been looking for “breakfast” on Google Maps yesterday, and found that a cafe called Lingua World Café, serving POUTINE! Ian from Toronto and his wife Ulala own the café, and the girls were ecstatic to see poutine on the menu. They got one each, and Joe and I split a salmon and avocado rice bowl, knowing there would be plenty of leftovers in both poutines.
After a delicious lunch (even with shredded cheese in place of curds), we headed to the nearest mall. I still needed clothes, and Joe was looking for shorts, Téa was wanting t-shirts and Maylin is happy to tag along on any adventure, even though she kept asking if it was time to go bouldering soon about every 10 minutes. We had great success shopping today! I bought clothes, Joe got shorts, Téa got a skirt and t-shirt, Maylin got two t-shirts, and of course Téa and I went gaga in a stationary store. Maylin also finally got new sandals, after having worn hers almost to pieces! Satisfied of shopping, we were now at the point when we needed a snack, and then straight to bouldering. We ended up in a nice café at the station, where we had some tasty desserts.
After a fortifying dessert snack, it was finally time for bouldering! Maylin practically ran back to the Y. We walked in 10 minutes early to take care of the paperwork and the instructor, who of course had heard of this English speaking family, came over and whisked the excited girls away to get outfitted with socks and shoes. (Not comfortable, according to Téa.) There was a young boy attending the class, as the only other student in the afternoon session, and his English was better than the instructor’s! He acted as the girls’ interpreter at the beginning of the class, and then the fun started! The girls climbed up, back down, sideways from start to finish, played games involving balls, had a “how long can you hold your grip” competition, and had such a great time! We’ll sign them up for Thursday afternoon classes, with the English speaking instructor who stayed after his shift had ended to help the girls out today. Amazing experience, all in!
After a successful Saturday out, a new activity unlocked, we aim for the train and back home. On our walk from train to house, we passed the bakery from yesterday, and I couldn’t resist. Quick stop to pick up some more delicious baumkuchen! And then this church that we keep walking by, with the gorgeous roofs. I didn’t even know it was a church until I looked it up today, all the gate is labeled with (at least in English) is “Designated Disaster Evacuation Site”. So at least we know where to go?
Joe got groceries the other day and had Shepherd’s Pie (or as close as can be without an oven) planned for dinner. The girls were very happy with all of the day’s foods, which all made them feel like they were back home. Every once in a while, we just have to give in to their cravings, can’t be all about the Fugu and chicken sashimi every day…