New friends make new surroundings so much easier

This morning I met a new friend named Marta.  Marta and I met at the Newcomers group that Roche puts together.  She is from Milan, and a really lovely person.

I was so glad we were able to get together and chat.  She lives in a section of Basel called Riehen.  This is the same area Mat and I are moving too in a few weeks, so I told her I would love to meet her and she could show me around.

We had a lovely time walking and talking.  It reminded me why I chose Riehen in the first place - it is lovely, quiet, and reminds me a bit of home.  I am looking forward to moving and getting settled.

Pretty building in a park in Riehen

 This is where tennis play Roger Federer held his wedding receiption

She and I had a coffee and sweet before I needed to leave for my German class.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am taking a German class with three of my new American friends.  We are all really new to the country and language, so one of them suggested we make it fun and do it together.  That way, when we are together we can practice.  I agreed it would be much more fun to learn German with people you are familiar with.  The class started today and we did have a great time.  We are going to use at least part of this class to learn what I like to call "Survival German".  Meaning - I am a mom in a foreign country, and I need to know how to survive with everyday tasks.  Shopping, doctor's appointments, ordering food, using the tram, etc.  So this class will be designed to teach us the basics along with how to do certain things.  I am grateful for it, and already got a chance to try out my new skills when I had to buy garbage bags at the grocery store yesterday.  (They are kept behind the counter and you have to ask for them).

Making friends is not something I thought I would do while I was here - at least not at first.  I am good at being alone, or just being with my family.  Mat and I have moved 10 times in our marriage, and so we are used to starting over and spending quality time together.  I don't feel lonely and homesick without friendship.  But I got lucky.  I met some wonderful women right away and it does help.  We bounce ideas and hardships off each other.  We talk about our kids and the kid's schools.  We talk about our previous lives.  It makes being here just that much more fun.