Where in the World is Nile?

Hallo Kintail,

This is Nile here, reporting in from Austria. I am currently living here in the city of Linz, working as an au pair. If you don’t know what an au pair is, (I get that all the time) it is like a nanny but in a big sister sort of way. I have lived with my lovely Austrian family now since the beginning of February. They are such an inviting and fun family to be part of, as there are three little girls who are 10, 6, 3 and a BRAND NEW baby girl born on March 3^rd. Thus far on my au pair adventure I have had the opportunity to travel around the city of Linz, which is very unique as it is quite historical and as the days get warmer (well not warmer, as I was in shorts and sandals yesterday) but as summer gets nearer I have been told that the gardens in Austria are to be some of the finest. I intend to visit Salzburg, yes you guessed it, it is the home of The Sound of Music. I have been practicing my singing voice and am ready at a moment’s notice to break out in The Hills Are Alive. But I could hardly write a blog about my experience thus far without mentioning hockey. When I came, my au pair dad (who used to play pro. European hockey) told me to bring my skates and gloves. I was sooo excited to get the opportunity to get on the ice, after having cut my own season back in Canada so short. So I came thinking that I would be able to go public skating or just do a few laps around the rink, nope! Since being here I have played in 2 tournaments, two exhibition games and had practice. I would have never guessed in a million years that hockey would be such a big part of my au pair experience. But spending time with the girls has been the most rewarding part of being an au pair. Last week as we sat outside I taught them “It’s not hard, I tell you so” and then the “sheep song” though because of our language barrier, with the eldest being the only one able to speak English, this song was more about the actions and animal sounds! I have also been practicing my crafts with the girls, but you will have to wait until the summer to find out. I love living abroad, my new family is a dream, but I know that my Kintail family will be waiting for me at camp when I get back! So I will see you all this summer, I would love to stay and chat some more but I have three little girls downstairs waiting to play.

“So long, Farewell Nile says goodbye…. goodbye…goodbye…goodbye”

Nile~