Resort life in Spain...

Leaving is always bittersweet and goodbyes are never easy but both must occur for new experiences to happen.  Nice, France was probably one of the most challenging experiences I have been through.  I don't think I have gone through such a huge roller coaster ride of emotions in such a short period of time ever in my life.  There were such extreme lows dealing with the culture shock, feeling alone in such a unwelcoming city and being mugged by one of these unwelcoming people...then also the extreme highs of meeting such amazing friends who I am so blessed to know and would have gone through all the awful lows of Nice again just so that I could meet

Landing in Palma

  these kind wonderful people.  Not to mention I spent a lot of time on the beach and got a really good tan started!
As I stand outside my home for the last month in Nice at the bus stop with my suitcase, which is now 10 kilos lighter since I off loaded a bunch a stuff, I am filled with that lovely feeling of anxiety that has become my new partner.  All I can think is I am super vulnerable here with all my possessions and what if someone takes it all now.  I know...thoughts of a crazy woman...but I just can't help it sometimes.  I know getting to a new location is going to be the best thing to help heal this part of me.  So on to the airport....the bus pulls up a few minutes late and doesn't even stop right in front where it's supposed to.  He opens the doors quickly and before I can even get the handle up on my suitcase he has closed them again...Seriously do all French people hate me...I start waving frantically and rolling my suitcase into the street towards the bus.  If he leaves I will have to wait another 30min for the next one!  He opens the doors again and I start struggling to get my suitcase up the big step into the bus since he chose not to lower it.  In the middle of my struggle I look up because he shouts something at me in french and I see that he is tapping his watch to say he's late...really buddy...not my fault you are running late and almost left me here because if that.  I am not even fully in and he closes the door and takes off once again sending me and my suitcase rolling.  When I regain my balance I get out my money to pay him and take my ticket..He then proceeds to look at me with a sarcastic tone and says (in French) "what..no thank you?"  You got that right...No thank you for you since you almost left me at the stop, almost closed my leg in the door, sent me flying by starting the bus and just have a bad attitude in general.  When we arrived at the airport we pulled into Terminal 2 and I knew I needed Terminal 1.  I asked my grumpy bus driver if we were going to Terminal 1 also and he looked right at me then turned around and ignored me...I tried one more time and he did the same thing.  Another girl about my age saw what happened and she asked him my question in French which he answered without hesitation..of course.. she told me he was going to Terminal 1 and then she apologized for his rudeness.  This bus ride was the clincher that made me extremely happy I was about to board a plane and head to a island for a month.  The plane ride was great and I was met at the arrival gate by the mom of my new family Diana.  We drove to the house and when I walked in I have to say I was a bit in awe.  I felt like I was walking into a small resort.  It was dark so I couldn't see much but what I did see was amazing.  We dropped my stuff off in my apartment downstairs (which is about 4 times as big as the room I was living in while in France) and then I went up and shared a glass of wine and chatted with Diana and her husband Michael.  I did briefly meet the other nanny Lara who I will be sharing duties with as she was headed out the door.
So I am going to pause here for a moment and give you a bit of back story on how this month in Palma de Mallorca came about....last Febuary when I started my search for a way to move to or travel Europe I started looking for Au pair or nanny positions.  Diana and Michael were one of the first families that I started talking with and almost became their full time nanny but there was some visa issues so the job went to the current nanny Lara.  We still kept in touch though because we really got along well so when this month long position with them came up to help out while the kids are on school holiday Diana emailed to see if I might be able to come help out.  It just so happened that it was the only month of my travels that I had no commitments so the deal was sealed, plane tickets were purchased and now I

My view most of the day

am here with this lovely pool view everyday for the next month.  It's funny how things just fall into place.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe this is all real.
So back to the story....I started working the next morning just learning the routines and observing.  Lara and I worked together so that I could get a feel for everything the first couple of days.  The kids are absolutely darling.  There are 3 little cuties...Maxiem is the oldest, she is 6.  Luis is the middle man at 3yrs old and Olivia the youngest is about 1 and half.  They all are great fun with a lot of spunk and personality.  I am really looking forward to getting to know them better as my time here continues.

Olivia reading in the playroom

  The days here are pretty relaxed but busy with 3 kids.  Since it haas been so hot the majority of the day is spent in the pool.  On the days I work I basically get up in the morning, feed the kids breakfast then I put on my swimming costume and am in it for the rest of the day.  There is no point in getting dressed any time during the day since the kids are in and out of the pool non stop.  Good thing I have about 6 different suits so I don't feel like I wear exactly the same thing everyday.  Lara and I split up the weeks so we each work a half day 3 days a week, then work 2 full days each and have 2 full days off.  It's a pretty nice set up.  I am really happy to have a balance of work and play again.  I didn't realize how much I really enjoy having some sort of routine in my life.  As much as I like to think I am a non planner and can just go with things.  I have realized that is not completely true...I like to have a plan but can be flexible with parts of it that need to change.  There is comfort in having some idea of what is going to happen.  Look at that...I learned something about my self on this trip!
So I have been here a week today and it has gone by so quickly.  I have basically been spending the majority of the time here at the house...It's so relaxing here.

Lara pushing Luis on the swings

Since the house is set up in the hills a bit it's quite peaceful.  It has given me the space and time to really relax and settle into myself again.  I am finally feeling a bit more like the old me.  The anxiety is subsiding for sure and I am content and comfortable.  I have been out a bit with the family and with Lara but nothing too major.  I am also working on my Spanish and it's coming back more each day.  I am planning to figure out the buses and head into downtown next week.  Hopefully find some fabric stores (since I have access to a sewing machine here) and work some of the inspirations I have found over my travels into some designs.   I am so looking forward to this month of relaxation, playing and designing!