Just like the old days

A few weeks ago, our car was parked at our church, minding its own business, when some rowdy (and possibly drunk - it was Sunday afternoon, after all) passers-by got into a fight on the sidewalk and damaged our car's passenger door and mirror. Some other passers-by saw it and called the police; amazingly, the police were able to apprehend both of the guys.

So through no fault of our own, we suddenly had to deal with police, car insurance, and car repair shops, during what was already the busiest time at work for me. I was not best pleased.

But whatever, the car is in the shop now and hopefully this will all be behind us soon, at which time maybe I will write a proper blog post about this particular adventure. The point of THIS post is that being without a car for a few days takes us back to our first nine months in Turku. Today we took the kids across town to one of those giant indoor play structures. And we went by bus!

Even though we own a car, we still do occasionally take the bus places, but this was the first time we took the bus when we would have liked to take the car (but couldn't, since it's in the shop). It brought back a lot of memories, especially since on the way home, Miriam and I stopped by the grocery store. That walk back out to the bus stop, in the dark and in the cold, lugging groceries...well, I don't exactly miss it.

Except maybe I do, a little? It reminds me of being new here, and figuring things out, and life being a little bit (a lot) harder. Nostalgia at work, people.

Still, I'll be glad to get the car back next week. Even if it was good to find out today that we've not grown too soft in the meantime.