News about Linda

Hi Helen
We called Linda this evening (Monday morning for her) and had a nice long conversation. Great connection. She sounded like she was next door.

They have had as many trials and tribulations as you have had and then some. Friday they moved into their apartment where they will be living for the long run. It is on the 7th floor and the elevator works sometimes. They can walk to a hotel several blocks away where they signed up for a membership which gives them access to their pool and a beach.

XXXX blew it with regard to the school. Linda sent XXXX Jonathan's school records, pictures of both kids, and lots of other information but it never got passed on to the school. So when they went there on Friday, the school folks had never heard of them and didn't know they were coming. It turns out that the 3rd grade has plenty of room and Jonathan is in. Kaisa is on a wait list for kindergarden. They are going back to the school today and hope to get her into the class.

The closest grocery store is 30 minutes by car. The school is also 30 minutes by car. Drew is working 2 job sites both of which are about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours from the apartment. No bus service to the school and the Bechtel driver would not be able to drop Drew at work and get back in time to take the kids to school. So it looks like they will have to hire a second car and driver for Linda and the kids and Drew will keep the Bechtel car and driver.

Linda says the traffic is impossible. There is no way she would want to drive besides the fact she can't read any of the street signs, etc. She said one day her driver went down a narrow street with cars parked on both sides and had only inches to spare on each side. She said she would never have even considered going down the street but the driver thought it normal.

There is a good grocery about 30 minutes away. They have a very nice selection of fruits and vegetables. Other stuff is harder to find.

Their experiences in the hotel in Cairo and Alexandria were a nightmare. So they moved to a "Villa" on a temporary basis which Linda described as upscale camping. They are glad to be out of those situations. Linda likes her new landlady. She has been helpful.

They hope to have their email up and working soon. The apartment is wired, but a code is required to access the service provider and the landlady can't find the number. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Who knows.

All for now.

Love

Dad