Five suitcases...

We braved the storage area under the stairs to dig out the suitcases yesterday to get started on packing which has made the whole trip suddenly seem more real (it also makes for one nervous dog... Kaia does NOT like to see luggage). For this trip, we can only bring five large suitcases (and who knows how many carryons -- the rules seem to be changing by the day and country!).

I am eager to pack light(er) this time around. We shouldn't have the extreme changes in weather that we did in Sapporo, bike helmets are not a rare commodity in Europe as they were in Japan, we won't have any of Jack's homeschooling books as he will be attending school in France, the house we are moving into has some children's books and videos, and we also just realize each time we travel how little you REALLY need. And whenever I start to get worried (maybe ONE more sweater?!), I just think about how much easier it will be to go into stores to ask for anything essential we may have left behind.

My knowledge of French -- although admittedly rusty -- has been bringing me great comfort lately. I made a reservation today for a hotel in Dijon for the night we get in (we don't want to have to search for our new home in the dark after 24+ hours of travel) and I had to write a note explaining that we may be a few minutes later than their stated check in time. I was able to clearly explain what I needed to explain, in French, and it felt SO good. Such an email -- or even conversation -- would have been impossible for me the whole time in Japan. And there are so many examples like that. Today, some friends gave us a French guidebook, which I was able to read. Again -- that would have never happened in Japan. While the experience of being illiterate (and yet still functioning fairly well) in society was a good one to have, it is such a pleasure to think of heading somewhere where I will be able to read, write, and speak (at least basic thoughts!)

The kids are excited and don't seem too worried about leaving Lethbridge. John finished one big work project before Christmas and has one more project to finish before we go. I have finished both part-time jobs (teaching and editing) and so the preparations this time around are much less stressful. Our Lethbridge friends have been incredibly kind and have been inviting us to lots of lunches and dinners, so we aren't spending too much time cooking (and when we do, we're using whatever weird items we have left in our pantry... it has made for some curious meals!).

Here is our plans for the next few days:

* Leave for Helena, MT, on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 8 or early morning of Jan. 9. We will (briefly) visit with John's parents and leave Kaia and our minivan in their care (and the care of John's sister), while the wonderful Lori housesits our Lethbridge house.

* Early Sunday morning, Jan. 10 -- fly to Denver and (briefly) visit my parents and brother, sister-in-law and their kids.

* Wednesday evening, Jan. 13 -- fly nonstop! from Denver to London.

* Thursday morning, 9ish -- arrive in London

* Thursday afternoon -- take the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel (hopefully!) to Lille, in northern France. Connect on the high-speed TGV to Dijon, arriving at 9:40 p.m.

* Friday, Jan. 15 -- head to our new home, La Maison des Chaumes in the village of Villers-La-Faye.

I need to get back to work -- more soon (I hope!).