It took a little more work to get the house closed up that expected on Thursday. Also Eric had a slow leak in his front right tire and he had just been putting air in it every time he filled the car up with gas. I was driving his car on Thursday running some errands and he asked me to fill the car up and top off the tire. Then we realized that if we left the car sitting in the garage for 4 months we were going to come home to a flat tire and possibly a bent rim and no way to get the car to the tire store, so he took the car to the tire store. Getting a tire fixed wasn't on the list of things to do before we left, but I am so glad we got it taken care off.
Luckily they were able to get the car in and out quickly. Eric end up getting 4 new tires.
The Whirlpool vans came to pick us up. It took two to get us and all of our stuff to Detroit. The original pick up time was scheduled for 2:30, but then I realized they are use to picking up adults and small amounts of luggage and I was worried about how long it would take to get the vans packed, the kids put in the vans and close up the house. Luckily they came early, because we didn't really pull out of the driveway until 2:30. It was also raining which didn't help much!
Then we were off to Detroit. We chose to fly out of Detroit instead of Chicago, but the tickets were SO MUCH CHEAPER. I think almost $700 a person cheaper, plus the airport is only about 45 minutes further away than Chicago O'Hare and so much calmer. There was no line when we arrived to check in and airport security was super nice. In all of the craziness of packing I had accidentally put a brand new bottle of unopened sunscreen in my carry on. The TSA guy was super nice and did a special check on it and then let me keep it. They have never been that nice before. I guess he had pity on me.
We had dinner at Chilies before we loaded the plane. Carli was being crazy ( see the picture of her with the advertisement on her head.) We didn't get to the plane anytime too soon. In fact the lady checking us in said, "Hi Ms. Fors, we have been looking for you." Never good to hear, but we made it. We had a hard time getting everyone seats next to each other. At first Eric and Carli were in the row in front of Gretta and Eliza and I was across from Gretta and Eliza on the isle. The lady sitting next to me had a 2 lb dog she was bring as a birthday present for someone in Brazil. The girls really got a kick out of that. We tired to get someone in either Eric and Carli's row or Gretta & Eliza's row to switch with me, but no one would. I was super surprised because usually people see kids and run away! Luckily after everyone was boarded and we were in the air the flight attendant offered the emergency exit row to the man in Eric's row who was sitting next to Carli and he moved. Then after I got the girls to sleep I moved up next to Carli and eventually switched with Gretta to sit by Eliza. it was a bit of musical chairs. The guy sitting next to me watched a move the whole time we were trying to sleep and once he fell asleep my kids woke up. Poor guy. I am not sure he got much sleep. Everyone did pretty good on the flight considering. The only big event was Carli throwing up the chocolate milk she drank at the airport at 3am which required a complete change of clothes. Luckily I was prepared and Eric was nice enough to clean it up, so I didn't end up throwing up too. Eliza slept the best on the flight and I think for everyone else it was a struggled. Gretta watched at least 5 hours of TV which means she got about 5 hours of sleep. Thank goodness each seat had their own TV.
Brazil is super nice and they had a special visa line for people traveling with children. She checked everyone passport and visa and gave them back to us except Eric's and then she said she had to get someone to check Eric's. For a second panic set in and I was hoping they were going to let Eric in the country. Luckily they did and we headed off to baggage claim where it took 4 extra porters to help us get out stuff out to where the relocation company people were waiting.
The next stop was Customs and for a second the customs lady looked like she was in shock when she saw all of ours stuff. Then I think she saw the kids and our 12 month visa and customs form the relocation company had sent and she let us go through. I was afraid she was going to make us pay extra taxes.
The relocation company meet us with two vans and it took 2 + hours to get to our condo. The traffic was bad, but they say it's always bad.
When we arrived at our condo the lady who had shown Eric the condo was here to let us in a show us around. Eric did a great job on the housing arrangements!!! I will do a whole other blog post on what our condo looks like. The lady promised to send a cleaning lady next week to clean the house because it is filthy! I am not sure why it's so filthy since we rented the apartment last month and it wasn't a surprise we were coming today. I know Brazilians pride themselves on being super clean, so I was a little shocked. Plus any of you who know me well know I like a clean house too. Eric even found someone else underwear in the girls bathroom behind the closet and some of the drawers have random stuff in them. But other than not being spotless and missing a few key kitchen and house items I assumed a furnished apartment would have the size and location of the condo are great!!! ( I guess Sandy and Blair spoiled us too much when we lived in their furnished apartment for the summer in St. Joe. So my expectations might have been a little to high.)
So glad to finally be here!!!!
The Detroit Airport
I am sad I forgot to take any pictures in the airplane.
Here is Carli outside of Customs waiting for the van to take us to the Condo. This in only part of our stuff!!!
In the van driving home
0 comments:
Post a Comment