Today is the first day of my new life in Quito. The apartment is taken care of (first and last two months rent taken care of), Maya is happy at school and with her daily ballet and violin teacher, Eric is in New Jersey ready to deliver an amazing talk, we have reconnected with our closest friends here, the cats are comfortable in the house, I am taking care of my practice from afar....now what? My father asked me last night about what I planned to do while I was here, what my plans were for my life. I was not sure what to answer. I had truly not thought that far. Until we arrived here, I was entirely in denial. Moving from Baltimore, Eric losing his position at Hopkins (he still has a title in the Engineering and Neuroscience departments), living in Ecuador; nothing felt real, so I continued with my life as if nothing would change. I bought a new car, I took Maya to the SPCA to choose new pets, I planned a trip to Europe for the summer. I spent weeks packing up my room and my office and Maya's spaces, but I was in a trance throughout, not really conscious of the inevitable end of my life in Baltimore.
When Maya and I returned after our trip to Europe, I went to work, as if it was a normal return home to my usual life. Eric was going mad getting the house together, and I helped here and there, but I was not ready to move away from our lives, so I lived in a fugue, and missed the reality of our situation. I did not say goodbye to anyone. I was just leaving for a few weeks. Which is true in a way.
Flying to Ecuador, finding an apartment, registering Maya for school and dance and connecting with her violin teacher; everything has gone remarkably well. We are home now in Quito. What next in my life? Eric is busy with his science. I am home once a month for a week. Otherwise I am entirely free.
So with my first free day, without any pressing tasks or responsibilities, I slept in til noon. Not at all my usual behaviour. Perhaps I was just recovering from jetlag from two weeks ago....or from the daily pressures of our travel and arrival here, or because I did not sleep well during the night. Last night, Maya and I baked cookies and I almost burned down the apartment misusing the gas oven. She was terrified that we would be gassed during the night or that fire was imminent. Later, Eric was unable to make contact with a taxi company so we had to descend into the street (inadvisable at night here) and look for a taxi. There were none at Hotel Finlandia. Eric finally was able to talk to a taxi company. We all waited for a black Hyundai, which finally came to take Eric to the airport. When we returned to the apartment, we were somewhat discombobulated. Maya and I slept close together in an effort to feel safer. Quinn the cat got outside on the terrace and wandered outside all night but only after he ate all the bread hidden in the tallest cupboard; perhaps that is what kept me up all night.
Eric woke me up with a skype call after I failed to answer his countless emails. I was up and ready to move as soon as I realized how late it was. I decided to start my first true day in my new life with a visit to my favourite museum, or at least my first favourite, the Banco Central at the Casa de la Cultura. I was lost in ancient times and very comfortable there. I am not sure I am anywhere with knowing what I am doing here.
I was late getting to Maya. The Ecovia was full and I had to wait for a few to pass by until I could get on. Maya was very resourceful in expressing herself to the guardia until I arrived. She is starting to use Spanish, which is a relief to me. I have tomorrow and the next days to figure out my purpose.
When Maya and I returned after our trip to Europe, I went to work, as if it was a normal return home to my usual life. Eric was going mad getting the house together, and I helped here and there, but I was not ready to move away from our lives, so I lived in a fugue, and missed the reality of our situation. I did not say goodbye to anyone. I was just leaving for a few weeks. Which is true in a way.
Flying to Ecuador, finding an apartment, registering Maya for school and dance and connecting with her violin teacher; everything has gone remarkably well. We are home now in Quito. What next in my life? Eric is busy with his science. I am home once a month for a week. Otherwise I am entirely free.
So with my first free day, without any pressing tasks or responsibilities, I slept in til noon. Not at all my usual behaviour. Perhaps I was just recovering from jetlag from two weeks ago....or from the daily pressures of our travel and arrival here, or because I did not sleep well during the night. Last night, Maya and I baked cookies and I almost burned down the apartment misusing the gas oven. She was terrified that we would be gassed during the night or that fire was imminent. Later, Eric was unable to make contact with a taxi company so we had to descend into the street (inadvisable at night here) and look for a taxi. There were none at Hotel Finlandia. Eric finally was able to talk to a taxi company. We all waited for a black Hyundai, which finally came to take Eric to the airport. When we returned to the apartment, we were somewhat discombobulated. Maya and I slept close together in an effort to feel safer. Quinn the cat got outside on the terrace and wandered outside all night but only after he ate all the bread hidden in the tallest cupboard; perhaps that is what kept me up all night.
Eric woke me up with a skype call after I failed to answer his countless emails. I was up and ready to move as soon as I realized how late it was. I decided to start my first true day in my new life with a visit to my favourite museum, or at least my first favourite, the Banco Central at the Casa de la Cultura. I was lost in ancient times and very comfortable there. I am not sure I am anywhere with knowing what I am doing here.
I was late getting to Maya. The Ecovia was full and I had to wait for a few to pass by until I could get on. Maya was very resourceful in expressing herself to the guardia until I arrived. She is starting to use Spanish, which is a relief to me. I have tomorrow and the next days to figure out my purpose.
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