This week was chock-full of activity, new experiences, and new challenges for all of us. The kids had half-days at school as an adjustment period, while Guillermo and I drank from the fire hose with info-sessions, walking tours, and get-to-know-you community activities.

The kids are LOVING school! Vivi is the first one ready to go with her backpack on in the mornings. According to her teachers, she is very talkative, happy, and loves the fresh fruit they serve for snack time – or ‘nack as she calls it.

Guille needs a little more warm-up in the mornings, but he’s used to the routine by now. The fact that he gets to wear a hi-viz “construction” vest every time he goes out with his class makes school much more exciting! This week his class is focused on the plant lifecycle. We’re also seeing the kids’ lunch menu for the next month – and it all looks delicious! Classes are served freshly made, Tuscan meals using local ingredients delivered daily.

While the kids are in school, we learn more about Boundless activities, the history and traditions of Pistoia, and what brings us all to to the program. On the last point, we hear a mix of motivations – some have experienced pain or loss and want to live life “now,” some are escaping war and/or gun violence in the classrooms, while others are searching for a different rhythm from what “home” offers them. Interestingly, quite a few families have sold their homes, home-school their kids, and join a Boundless cohort a couple times a year (if not every cohort) for the community and education. It feels different in a good way to be part of a community of parents who are searching for an alternative way to live, and it’s helpful to see a range of opportunities in the room with us. No doubt we will learn more during these 3 months.

We learn that Pistoia is a medieval city – much of the current infrastructure is from the 1100s, and as we walk down the grooved cobblestone, I imagine the centuries of people, animals, and wheels passing over them. Pistoia is proud of their historic buildings being “living” – the Cathedral built in the 10th century still holds services and engages with the congregation, the oldest working bank in the world has a branch in the central square (and a website!), and the courts have been handing out judgements for over 650 years. It takes me a minute to recalibrate and remember that history is very present in parts of Europe, different from the newness of US infrastructure, and from the layers in Japanese infrastructure.

Guillermo and I are still finding the balance with our work schedules, and right now our days start at 7:30am with the kids’ morning routine, and go until 12am with work meetings. We recognize this is neither sustainable, nor is it the way we want to experience this wonderful adventure. We aren’t quite in the swing of cooking as much as we do back home, and that’s been a challenge for the kids who are used to their flavors. Thankfully, the fruit and veg are in season and delicious, so the kids are filling up on strawberries and kale (did you know Lacinato kale is from Tuscany?). Starting next week, parents’ morning activities are fewer and the kids are in school for full-days, so we’re looking forward to a bit more breathing room and balance.

Guille’s favorite part of these last few days: building a marble run at school, and being outside at the parks!
Vivi’s favorite part of the last few days: ‘nacks!