Some things are different

The guineas needed some bedding and hay so we had made a trek out to find a pet shop.  We came across one inside a large shopping mall, Pet Center, and although didn’t seem that big to my surprise it sold an amazing array of wild animals. The sorts of which you normally see in the Zoo (Tarantula, huge lizards, parrots, tortoises)

(The photos aren’t great because the shop manager told me to put away my camera, but I sneakily took some because I couldn’t believe you could just walk away with some of the animals in here….)

There were a variety of Python including this Albino one

And most surprising for £4,000 you could buy your own Monkey.

We also had to register the kids at the local Doctors…our neighbour who is a nurse gave us a list with recommendations with her notes on the side -  ‘dobra’ (meaning good) ‘ne’ (meaning no don’t go near them) and ‘volno ale.. ‘ (meaning they’ll have spaces but still be warned)

When we turned up at the Poliklinic it looked like a small 70s style hospital and a multitude of doors led off corridors.  I was very glad we had this list otherwise it would be impossible to navigate. I’m still trying to get my head around the system, you pay annual insurance, and then choose your doctor (obviously the more popular the doc the less chance you can sign up with them).

First on our list our ‘dobra’ Paediatrician shook her head, put her head in her hands twice, then after a lot of sighing felt sorry for us and registered the kids.  Big Hurrah!  Plus not only did she seem cute and friendly, she speaks English..result!

Tomorrow is first day at school – eeeek.  We’re not sure what to expect and hubby is useless at remembering how it all works.  We do know that we have a loooong list of things to bring in, the kind of things that a normal English school would usually supply.

We've got the pens, pencils, colouring stuff etc…but then the list goes on to include aprons, a plastic table mat, covers for books, a cup for water, a hand towel, cloths to wipe down the table, and wait for it paper napkins for the dining room & toilet paper!!!   We also have to pay about £200 for exercise books. It feels as though not much has moved on from communist times….

Just some of the things the kids have to lug in their backpacks every day!!!

Here's to tomorrow.....