First Day at BISI

After three full months of summer, we are finally back to school.  And a new school at that, the British International School of Istanbul.  Both schools we looked at were very nice schools.  But our decision weighed heavily on location.  Neither school was perfect but we picked what we thought would be best for our girls.  Yes, I said girls.  Jocy is going into Year 3 (British version of 2nd grade).  We had planned to send Elly back to St. Gabriel's with three half days.  Well, there are no options for preschool here.  It's all or none.  And it's also called Reception.  So we made the decision to send her 5 full days a week.  Oh my.  This will definitely cause some issues over the coming weeks.  But in the end, will be the best for her.  And trust me when I say we thought long and hard about this decision.  Ford ain't footin' the bill for Elly.  And I thought Jocy's private school tuition was bad.

So everyone was up at 7am this morning.  Only Nate was the one that didn't want to get up.  The girls got up and dressed on their own.  Then down for breakfast.  We planned to leave an hour before school, because the traffic is UNREAL.  Manhattan rush hour ain't got nothing on Istanbul's!  All the hotel staff were telling them good luck and giving hugs.  So off in our little Focus station wagon to school.  It wasn't too bad of a drive, about 40 minutes.  The amusing part is that most of the drive is down this two lane winding road thru the Belgrade Forest.  Joel and I were talking about how the drive is just so unexpected.  Anyways, we arrived and got checked in at the gate.  The school is full guarded..... with armed guards.  I not really sure who they are worried about..... the goats or the cows.   I compare Zek (its way too hard to say and spell so it's called that by expats) to Liberty... with a little 3rd world.  We take the girls down to the gathering area.  We were told by Jocy's teacher she would meet up before school there.  So we waited and waited.  I have to say that this school is pretty unorganized in filling in new families.  I still haven't seen a Handbook.  Things just happen here very differently.  And the school follows the Turkish way.  Oh well, I guess I'll get used to it or fix it.

Finally, the bell rings and we find Jocy's teacher.  Joel takes her over and then we take Elly inside to her teacher.  Elly was pretty quiet.  But there were no tears. Yay!  When we walked outside, Jocy was still there so I gave her a hug and said she'd have a great day.  Finished up our uniform shopping and talked to the busing people.  I watched Jocy finally go into class and it was time for us to head back.  Didn't get back to the Hilton until 10:30am.  So Joel decided it was a good day to work from home.  Yea!  Just in case something came up.  Joel has the only car and cell phone right now, and with an hour drive, glad he's staying in the city.

I guess we will see how things go.