Labourious Holidays

23.09.
Today I met with Hugh for a short introduction to my new working place. Meanwhile the family strolled through the town centre. Hugh (my boss) showed me the rooms, introduced some more staff to me, and gave an interview to Jenny, the director of “Goodbye Deutschland”. I have not mentioned yet that we are accompanied by a TV team to document our move. The broadcast will be on January or February next year. Of course the rooms are not so beautiful nor as practical as those in my own practice in Germany. I even doubt that the building has been built for that purpose. But the atmosphere is very friendly, and on the wall I discovered a sheet with a quotation that illustrated the principles of the organisation: it's not about equipment, it's about attitude. Attitude is almost the everything. Hugh said to me that he wants me to work in some other of his practices as well and to establish the ultrasound diagnostic to promote the high standard of medicine in his organisation (I had to buy a device for him in Germany that will come with the container).
After that we visited the primary school we chose for the three younger kids. The experience we made there differed a lot from the one we made at German schools and foreign kids: from the very beginning the atmosphere was welcoming and the other kids came quickly to interview our kids. They had a curious attitude in contrary to the indifferent, reserved and even sometimes hostile one you can expect in a similar situation in Germany. There were no problems with filming the place and the people, of course we could do that. Interestingly 63% of the pupils of this school are Maori, as we got to know. There is also a catholic school nearby with probably Pakeha (= white) dominance, but nevertheless we chose not to look at other schools, for several reasons, one being the perfect situation (it can be reached by foot from our home). Anyway we had a very good first impression of that school and it's principal, who showed us around.
After that we had lunch. First Sushi experience for my family, and I remained the only one who likes that kind of food. We had to buy Burgers and French fries afterwards.
Then the two men of the NZ camera team (John and Simon) and Jenny invited me for a coffee in a local café. The two guys are really cool. It turned out that one of them likes German synthesiser music, as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and others. I didn't even know that they are known outside Germany and it reminded me a lot of my youth.
After that we were allowed to see our future house from inside! We were burning with curiosity. The owners were very friendly and welcoming despite of the size of our family (I fear that we will be able to destroy all it's interior during these two years). Altogether it was very nice inside, countyside-house style high quality interior,and a big balcony. Open kitchen. The only thing is that there is one or two room missing, that is that the five children will have to share three rooms. And so, immediately they began to argue which room to claim.
After all we were confident and in a good mood we drove home. Nevertheless I was totally exhausted when we got back, my batteries totally empty. The evening passed with diary writing for me and NZ TV for the kids.

24.09.
Elena and me woke up at four o'clock in the morning and couldn't fall asleep again. We started to talk and couldn't stop for two hours. There was so much to process in our minds.
At ten the TV team appeared and completed their work, filming missing scenes and doing interviews with all of us.
The weather was a bit more stable today. A quieter day, finally! We got the notice that we have to wait two days longer until we're going to move into the definite house. Well, that's OK, although this is a really small house. We are not used to that little room and only one bathroom.
In the evening, when the team parted, a mixture between relief and sadness. It was great to work with them. We hope to have them back here in six months time.