1 Bed Down, Apartment Full of Furniture to Go

We went to IKEA today with our housing agent. She was nice enough to take us in her car so we could pick up the essentials. We got a bed! Along with linens (they don't understand the word sheets here), towels, plates and cups. The rest, I don't want to rush into. For those of you who know me, I'm going to have to diagram the living room a couple of times before I can narrow down the furniture options.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to stay there until this time next week (the bed takes a while to deliver). However, we'll have a phone on Friday (I have to meet the electrician by myself - let's hope he speaks English!) and internet a week from Friday.

You guys have already seen the living room... the kitchen is ridiculous. I wish we took pictures at the other places we saw. You'd have a good laugh. This one's nice by US standards, so it's really nice here. And that cabinet open on the end? A dishwasher!

Next is the bathroom... it's dated, but again, part of what makes this apartment possible. You miss the weird lighting and the all black floor, but it's going to look great once IKEA gets a hold of it.

More great news - I have a friend! At least, she might be a friend. She reached out from some expat organization, and she's already offered to meet me for lunch. Even more great news, she told us about a garage sale going on this Sunday (put on by an American Women's club). Yes and yes.

We should have some fun pictures after this weekend... Lugano is having its annual fall festival. It includes a part where people dress in "traditional costumes" and hand out grapes to the public. This should be interesting.