'Mana' and 'Nini'

This blog entry was written waaaaaay back in June. The plan was to update the blog every couple days, but technology decided otherwise. Photos could not be uploaded, connections were tricky, etc. So, we opted to wait for sufficient time (is almost 2 months really enough?) to pass and try again, this time from Malaysia....

We've been in Bogota now for three days and the sun has been shining steadily on us. The flight here was perfect and our descent through the clouds brought with it the now familiar yet fascinating view of the Andean villages, the agricultural spaces, the Sabana and, finally, the extensive city below as the plane gets closer to the runway.

The next three days have been a whirlwind of activity. With Walter in tow we have gone back and forth across the city and across the barrio to shop, to visit friends, to see parts of town that we haven't seen in a while. We've had 'onces' with Natalia's university friends, we've met family who have come to say hello. We have made breakfast, lunch and dinner of Colombian delicasies and have enjoyed each and every moment (barring, perhaps, the traffic).

One of the highlights, however, has been Irini's reconnection with her cousin Mariana. Unlike Irini who is still juggling three languages, Mariana's speech has progressed and she is able to say basic words to make her point clear. She refers to herself as "Mana" and has now identified Irin as "Nini". The two have moved past the initial stages of getting to know each other, and now share toys and food happily. Today they had breakfast together as well as play time in the back-yard playground down the path.

Irini might not know how to say things just yet, but it is obvious, as she plays catch (or sorts) and offers/is offered a buscuit to/from Mana, that communication is taking place. Extended family socialization has begun in earnest.

Lefkada Blue

Our trip to Athens was uneventful. Irini slept most of the way and, given the lack of turbulence (and accompanying relaxed emotional state of daddy) she was free to roam about the cabin during the times when she was awake. The trip did include moments of Irini being very interested in the outside world, and Laurence delighted in showing her the Greek isles as we approached Athens airport. Once on Greek soil it was a whirlwind of re-joining old friends and reintroducing Irini to Greek language, surroundings and food. Surprisingly jet lag was no problem for anyone.

We had planned a trip to visit our friend Diana, who has a village home in Sikinos. She was waiting for us to arrive, but as luck would have it, boat schedules did not work out very well. In lieu of this we opted for a road trip to the island of Lefkada, requiring no boats whatsoever, but did inlcude a six hour transit time.

Once in Lefkada we drove by the main town by the same name, down the Eastern coastal road past the tourist hot spot of Nidri and on to the rather sleepy town of Vassiliki that sits in a bay on the Southern coast overlooking Ithaka and Kefalonia and seemingly hundreds of windsurfers flying over and back along the bay's width.

Our time in Lefkada was marked by an awe that is difficult to describe. In Lefkada we found picturesque little villages, a diversity of flora that we hadn't expected and some of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. Irini's internal clock was perfect as we kept just ahead of the crowds, at breakfast, at the beach, at lunch, back home, in the afternoon siesta and the dinner and moseying along the marina of Vassiliki as the sun went down.

For three days life was incredibly filled with calm, with charm, with awe inspiring cliffside ocean views and with a fullness of being together that was appreciated to the fullest.

Irini's Daily Doings

Irini moves over and pushes her hands up in the air. "Pick me up" she says. Once firmly held at a height she extends her arm forward. One can't help but move in that same direction to see where she will lead. At every possible intersection we stop and ask her to clarify the direction we need to take. She points again. This time she leads us to the refrigerator. She then leans forward, indicating that we can now put her down. We oblige and watch what she does next. She moves along the side of the door and tries to pry it open. No movement. A small "uhh" with a look upward at our face and we know to open the door. We crack it open allowing her to pull it the rest of the way. Inside the world of coolness and food awaits. She takes a long look up and down as if calculating her next move, and then picks up her hand to shelf number 2. She pulls out a half lemon sitting on top of tupperware box. She hands it to us. We take it and place it on the counter. Then comes the tupperware box itself, placed gingerly on the counter. Then the bag of cereal. Then, just when you think there is no point to this... she puts her hand inside the open tupperware, and pulls out a small bunch of grapes!! She happily chomps away, holding, of course, one grape in each hand. A smile creaps over her face. Once done, daddy hands the cereal bag, the tupperware box and the lemon back to her, one at a time, and she places them back on shelf number 2.

Daddy then takes the grape stalk and walks to the balcony outside. Irini follows closely behind. When outside Irini knows what to do. She helps daddy unfasten the lid to the composting bin, puts the bin top on the side, throws the stalk inside and then covers it with the cap again. Daddy puts the finishing touches on screwing it back on. Life is good.

Tummy full = happy daughter.

Things placed back where they were = happy parents.

Goodbye to Isabelle, Irini's First Best Friend

It is hard to know when and where friendship will find you. In Irini's case it was the news that our friends John and Melissa were about to receive their new baby girl, adopted here in Malaysia. Irini was a good three months away from joining us in the outside world, but already the friendship was in the works. John, Melissa and little Isabelle (Izzie) live just four floors above us. The convenience has added that little spontaneous twist to get-togethers that makes becoming friends so effortless. As the year and a bit progressed Irini and Isabelle have become good friends who see each other on a nearly daily basis. When one walks into the apartment of the other the event normally consists of a series of squeals of delight sometimes accompanied by a happy trot toward the other and a sudden stop just inches away, smiles abounding. Hugs are not part of the normal repertoire yet, and so it seems a bit awkward for the adults present. Not to the girls, though. Socialization has not taken shape yet, so smiles and squealing are more than sufficient to show an appreciation for each other's presence. They delight in each other's company, even if it is often side-by-side company and not quite integrated. Regardless there is a connection that is obvious and they are happy as can be in each other's presence.

On June 8th at 2 am we will be heading to Greece. On that day little Irini will fly off to other worlds and, when we return, Isabelle will no longer be a daily presence in her life. Though other friends will be here, it will be hard for all of us to replace our dear friends from upstairs. Isabelle and Irini don't know this yet, but they will have to work much more on this friendship if they want it to last, effort unknown to them at the moment. Their friendship, of course, has added its spice to that of the parents as well. We all know that the children can only be friends if the parents can put up with each other and we've been very fortunate that both Melissa and John have quite nicely put up with us.

As Irini plays with Izzie on the 7th - just four days away as we write this - she will not know that it will be the last time (for a while). The parents will part with hugs and kisses and tears. The girls will just smile and perhaps wave and share a babble or two. Moving on seems easy for those who do not realize the magnitude of the moment's importance. But the power of appreciation makes it a toughy for all of us. Goodbye, Izzie. Goodbye Melissa. Goodbye John. May your travels back to Maine bring with them good memories that make you recognize what we have known all along: These two girls make one heck of a pair. From now on, it's emails and Skypes and the constant battle to keep in touch across the distance. So long, dear friend. Be safe. Be happy. Don't forget me.