Her first 24 hours here....

[JunFan]

Hey guys,
We made it back OK from BQ without any problems.  I was really awestruck in BQ by the scene when she left her family for the last time the night before our flight.  We ate at her house and then was the moment of truth. I went to provide support but I underestimated how hard it would be on her. I almost had to pull out a hanky also.  I was glad I went to pick her up.  

Immigration in Miami was not bad.  They let her in the US Citizen line with me so we got thru that part quickly.  The INS then makes you sent in a glass holding tank where you have to wait for them to open the packet from the embassy (which must remain sealed) and process it.  We were 4th in line and we had to wait about an hour, which was not bad.  After that, we just had to catch our flight to Dallas and that was it.

My parents and several members of our family met us at the airport which really meant alot to her.  I think that was the thing she anticipated the most. It is important for them to know (or at least for mine) that there is family for them here.  We then ate at my parents house.  It was a little awkward because her english is not very good, so I had to translate in both directions....man, I'm glad I know spanish!!

Today was our first day here and we spent the day shopping primarily.  We went to the sporting goods store to buy her tennis shoes and some casaul/athletic apparel.  We also went to Super Target to buy basic toiletries such as shampoo, makeup, etc.  Then the real 'fun' started...we went to Fiesta, which is a latino grocery store.  I mean, I didn't even know some of the food we bought existed.  We are fortunate that here in Dallas just about every store has people that speak Spanish.  BTW, I was wearing a Colombian soccer jersey which still does not go over too well with my local mexican brothers...I felt more threatened in that store than I ever did in Colombia.

Before I knew it, there were smells coming from my kitchen that I have never smelled before...as in homemade food!! We also bought a phone card at a local mexican tienda so she can call home cheaper. Tonight we went to a gringo grocery store which really impressed her.  And next door was a Borders where we bought some Berlitz english tapes and books. We will have our first English tutorial session later tonight.

She is taking her first bubble bath now so I must go help her before she floods my house....

Later,
Mike

I'll check back in later but I can tell you so far this Latin Woman has had an immediate positive impact on me and this house.

[KADAMS]

... in response to Her first 24 hours here...., posted by JunFan on Aug 4, 2001

I guess this means goodbye to Micro-meals? Hey man, I will send you some tupperware, send me the leavins'. In my Flat, the stove has never been used, how does it work?

I notice your M.A. page on you Site, any good BJJ schools there?

Good luck, and fill up the Tupperware when it arrives.

[cjweir]

... in response to Her first 24 hours here...., posted by JunFan on Aug 4, 2001

well, just like the rest of us that have been threw this. the first couple of days are wild! For me the wife arrived from santo domingo, it was 7 degrees and snow!! WOW, so from there, it could only get better? right? wrong! first it is not that your woman or wife to be is going threw the stress of moving, but add on to another country, climate, language, and into a house that is not hers, it is yours, and it takes awhile to adapt that she is the queen of the castle and let her set it up her way, she will be there more than you, unless you work at home. but the key thing is patience, because everything has not set in yet and it will get more stressful, before it gets better.

good luck!!!1

[rafael]

... in response to Her first 24 hours here...., posted by JunFan on Aug 4, 2001

It is great fun watching their wide eyed surprise at many new things. It is also funny watching them freak out in horror at some of the very "bad" things here;-)

Her second night here my wife and I went down to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. She loved it. Thought it was beautiful all lit up for Christmas etc.

We jump in a taxi to head back to our hotel, and she is immediately PISSED! I noticed her face looking angry and immediately realized what was happening. I laughed my you know what off.

Once we got back to the hotel, she started yelling how that cab driver just ripped us off! The meter said $2.60 BEFORE he drove us anywhere!!!

Be prepared to have your lady freak out if you leave big tips in restaurants. In her country, she'd yell if I left 10%, while I felt like a cheapskate. In her country people leave 20 pesos no matter what the bill.

Seeing a $100 tip, sends her through the roof!

BTW, if ya really want to see her in awe. Take her to Vegas some day. The Venetian in particular had my wife freaked out. She called her family to tell them how the "centro" in the Hotel is BIGGER than any centro she has seen in her life, plus they have a "river" with Gondolas etc etc etc.

I have gotten some great video, of her first readctions to many things american. The tape is priceless! Someday I'll post her first experience with sno on my website.

[Randy G]

... in response to Re: Her first 24 hours here...., posted by rafael on Aug 5, 2001

...of all of this. My fiancee already has her Green Card and Visa, has worked for a Mexican company in California for a couple years and when her sisters came to visit her they would go visit Vegas...Gee, I haven't even been to Vegas yet! Maybe Gloria can video me in Vegas for the first time!...Randy

[chao]

... in response to Her first 24 hours here...., posted by JunFan on Aug 4, 2001

JunFan,

Thanks for posting your experiences about bringing her through immigration and customs.  Now we know what to expect when one of us brings a lady into the U.S.

chao

[muddslinger]

... in response to Her first 24 hours here...., posted by JunFan on Aug 4, 2001

good story, realy funny and some good info. keep posting!!!

[cozrob]

... in response to Re: Her first 24 hours here...., posted by muddslinger on Aug 4, 2001

Wow,

From a fellow Texan, that sounds like an awsome start.  Good luck.  I hope to post similiar stories someday.

See ya

CozRob

[Wasp]

... in response to Re: Her first 24 hours here...., posted by muddslinger on Aug 4, 2001

Congratulations to both of you.
I've enjoyed reading about your adventures for the last year. Good to read success stories.