I took last Friday off work so we could have a three day weekend. On Friday we went shopping; first time Mr R had left the house since he arrived. We went appliance shopping: it took us three stores but we found a washer and dryer that seemed suitable and affordable. Went and picked out curtain fabric and made an appointment for the tailor to come to our house to measure windows. Had a nice lunch out. Did some futile housewares and grocery shopping.
Saturday we stuck close to the house for the delivery of our washer and dryer. I cleaned the kitchen some more (got a ladder and took the Comet to the high surfaces this time. When you deep fry frequently you should be aware that a yellow layer of stinky grease will coat all surfaces in your kitchen and it doesn't magically disappear.) Mr R got our internet working (no easy feat, and we aren't done yet but can get by until we get a better permanent solution). I took a dip in the pool and did some yoga outside. Just generally chilled.
On Sunday we went to the most awesome brunch experience in this world. First- there was endless champagne, wine and beer. So what more do you need? The Japanese/sushi table, Thai, salads, waffles, eggs, pasta, Indian food, meat grill, pizza oven, dessert table. After a few hours gloating over the food there I went for a foot massage while Mr R passed the time at the nearby hotel bar.
Back to work for me on Monday. I go in around 11 or so, spend the first few hours working out arrangements for our personal settling in plus chatting (working!) with co-workers. Then 4-8:00 I am on the phone with the team in the US.
We are still going nuts with how difficult it is to get things done here. The washer/dryer were delivered but the installation guy came the next day. What we have learned is that anyone who comes to the house to install stuff doesn't really understand what he's doing- just follows a list of steps he's been given. With inadequate tools (like, a screwdriver). The install guys obviously didn't know what they were doing so Mr R escorted them out and completed the install himself. Victorious, he started a load of laundry and discovered the washtub had a leak and all the wash water flowed onto the floor (thank God they have floor drains in most rooms). So begins the marathon of phone calls to get someone to come to the house ("we'll be there in 10 minutes, max"), someone to actually listen to what is going on (if it isn't in their list of steps it isn't reality), and someone to commit to getting a new washer to replace the brand new defective one we were delivered. It may be here tomorrow or it may take 5-7 days, according to the person we've called about 10 times. In the meantime, we have no clean rags or dish cloths and our underwear supply is getting dangerously low.
Same with the internet. It doesn't allow us to surf US web sites. Mr R installed some software to help us get around that but it is not reliable. So I begged the network people at work to help me (they are, but after reminding me they don't have to help with my personal affairs). So now we are waiting for a rep from a different company to come switch us to their service. Which I'm pretty sure is going to involve lots of copies of documents like passports and drivers licenses, each one signed in blue ink. So if we go offline for a few days you know why.
Same with our TV service. A local guy helped me contact TataSky to get a satellite dish and 2 receiver boxes installed. But then we discovered its signal doesn't work on our US TV. So we spent a few futile days looking for a signal converert. Then borrowed from a European a TV that can accept this signal. Then found out we owe $2 for the cable they installed so our service is turned off. But can't use our American credit card to pay up. Then talked to an American at work who told me he'd help me cancel this service, get a full refund, and get a different service that provides a signal our TV will accept. Then found out his admin gave up, delegated the assignment to my move logistics guy, who told us to call them ourselves to have them tell us how to make it work (which it won't). So that is my temper tantrum topic for work today- wish me luck.
Oh, and curtains. Caretaker told us to buy curtains and give the landlord the receipt for reimbursement. But my move logistics guy turned it around and now someone (we think) is going to come to the house to install blinds for us. When? Not sure. Walking around naked with no curtains in the meantime and waking up the minute the sun comes up? Yes.Choice of colors? Why, yes, white, gray or mustard. Samples? No.
Oh, we think our bark account is active but are waiting for my Ford deposit to clear. But still no credit card. I applied a week ago (why not the day I arrived? I have no idea.) But yesterday they called to tell me I had to sign the copy of the check stub I gave them. Why didn't they tell me that when I gave it to them a week ago? No idea.
While I'm on my "things that are pissing us off" tirade I need to tell you one more thing. Do not bother taking a walk on the beach in the morning. People come out to the beach to defecate in the morning, then they hobble to the water to splash water and clean themselves. So you have to avert your eyes not to watch the action, step around the open piles left on the beach, and try to avoid breathing when you come upon them. Not worth it. We need to find out if there is a poop-free time of day to walk.
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