Well, in the meantime the Great Trek took place, but this time to the south, without an ox cart, but with a large truck from the moving people. Everything went smoothly, the 3 dogs and cat had the luxury of a plane flight, while we humans were through the Karoo in one day and arrived at our new home – awaited by the animals and family.

In the meantime, a few weeks have passed, the big unpacking is almost complete, except for a few boxes whose contents are still looking for a place. But it will come, there is no rush. We are now at a stage where we often have to look for something, because it is no longer in its familiar place and the thought of “where did I last see it?” often comes to mind.

Our house is living well, we are settled and things are now starting to return to their normal routine. The stamp on everything is the HXH 368 NW which was replaced with CEM 5008 – that was the “grand finale”.

Things at Nedsa have not stood still in the meantime and every week a few au pairs leave for the Netherlands. It is a big difference to leave from a heat wave, to Europe where it has recently snowed, and may still snow. Make peace with the cold, you can’t do anything about it and take comfort in the fact that at least you can now properly put on your winter coat, because here you almost never use it.

It is also quite striking that au pairs who are arriving now often ask us questions here, while it should be something you should ask your family or Joyce there. The most important thing is the COMMUNICATION between you and the family – do not let the opportunity to communicate properly with each other pass. Do not ask questions like the following to your agent or even your mother: “Does the host family have to go to the church with me to register?” or “Will the host family buy me a train discount card?” or “How should I go for a walk with the children – bike or walk?” These are the typical questions that are asked to Mom at home, Mom says she does not know, will soon ask Aunt Rita or Aunt Annelies and we are all sitting at the 11,000 km from you. In the meantime, you and the host family are in the same house – ask them!! This is what I mean by communication! They do not bite, they only speak Dutch and of course you can still speak English to each other to ensure that you understand each other.

Come on girls and guys, be brave, like you were here, and do what you said you would! Now you have to impress us further, like you did during the interview! The fact that you are already in the Netherlands shows that we have complete confidence in you.

We have one big request: Please don’t be in contact with Mom here every day — a Whatsapp message is enough, learn early on to stand on your own two feet. Mom will definitely not feel bad if you can manage without her for a day or so now and then, this is the beginning of your attempt to want to be independent and self-sufficient. Then start right now!! To our Moms — please stand back and allow her to find her feet on her own.

So in two weeks we’ll talk further and we can see what has happened in the meantime.