Lady's Day Out

I just realized I never wrote about what happened when we took Erika to enroll in her new school.

Fany went to this school and said it is really good, a perfect schedule for Erika as a mother, and not expensive.  It was Fany who made the phone calls and arranged for us to go talk to a teacher.  She offered to go there with us and show us around.

We drove to El Centro (downtown) and parked in a safe lot a few blocks away.  I haven't walked around downtown since 2009 when I got caught in the riots after the president was pulled out of his bed and taken out of the country.  This time was so much more relaxing!

As we approached the school Erika was clearly excited.  She had a huge smile as Fany pointed out the polo shirts that are the school uniform.  Kids were streaming out of morning classes.

We got in the gate by following a car that was passing through, but a guard stopped us and we were not allowed into the office building.  He said the director has given them orders not to allow anyone else inside.  Classes are full.  Nobody else can enroll until next November.  Classes will begin in February 2016.  No way around it.  Nothing we can do.  That is the soonest Erika could go to school there.

Disappointed we decided to go back and feed the birds in front of the cathedral.

Laura throwing feed to the palomas

Laura, Erika, baby Marjory and me

Then Fany took Erika to see where she would pick up a bus if she does attend school, so we got to see more of El Centro.  We did some window shopping.  I tried to imagine Erika taking a bus or collectivo to school each day.  Those are the only two options, but I am NOT happy about the idea.  She'll have to walk on a few blocks where she will have to be very aware of her surroundings, but having grown up in Los Pinos, I am sure she is accustomed to that.

It was nice to see Erika excited about school.  Fany noticed it too.  It was also nice to get out and build experiences with her.  Fany and I continue to see Erika as a good mother to Marjorie.

Although we were not successful in getting Erika enrolled, we made the most of the day and had a good lady's day out.