We all had bad day yesterday, I fell in an emotional heap, threatened to go home, had to take a sleeping pill, 3 weeks in. And it is all atarting to sink in, what we have done and where we are. T oday is moving day.
First, moving table, chairs and sideboard from fintas, then suitcases from serviced apartment. i checked new apartment, filthy and noisy. I cried, rang Alia- 'In Singapore and Australia it is usual to move in to a clean house.' No, she answered, this doesnt happen here. Put away all you know of Australia and Europe and know things are completely different here.' she advised.
Then I broke a glass 'oh that means your problems are broken in Arabic' she exclaimed! but i cut my foot on the glass, bleeding all over the floor. 'put a lemon on it' advised Ahmed. i sat in the blood covered kitchen, with half a lemon on my foot, laughing (a little hysterically).
The apartment needs to be cleaned. Noone leaves an apartment cleaned, here in Kuwait. You just move out and leave it, hooks, purple walls, dirty fridge. The mover said his guys will go to the market, buy me mops, buckets and cleaning things, and will do it for me. Another call to Alia- is this normal? this would never happen in Australia. movers are movers. Yes, she says, they will do this, just pay them a little extra. remember, 1 dinar is a lot of rupees and these guys are here to save money to buy a house in their country. whatever little you give them helps, and if you do this they will do anything for you.
Now im on my way to the house to receive the furniture.
another new friend, ilka, from whom I bought table and chairs, said most new people have a breakdown of sorts 3 weeks or so into Kuwait life. For me 3 weeks and 1 day exactly.
Here is a picture of the truck arriving at our new house, and some furniture in the lounge room.
I also met some neighbours - a British family, and also our landlords, Shakir and Sharon, all very nice people. I feel as if we are moving into a family house - Shakir's mum and brother are there as well. Feeling very positive about the house.
Thank God yesterday is over and done with. It will be full steam ahead now!
"All will be well" Julian of Norwich
Posted by: Mama | Friday, 30 September 2011 at 12:54 AM
Hi Ho Super Janet
House Moving, OMG – it might be an olympic event ! Is that floor in there marble? Probably very cool underfoot but unforgiving for glassware! I am sure you are doing a fabulous job - the lemon juice seems a little on the salty side for a cut- did that sting or what?
Has the temperature subsided a little? The blog is really interesting – and I love the dailiness of it.
A big hug by email –
Carol xxoo
Posted by: Janet Swain | Friday, 30 September 2011 at 07:10 AM
Hi janet
Am on holiday in japan so finally had time to read your ongoing trails and tribulations in kuwait (you do get around)!
Give it all 6 months and your place will look as though you are a local for years. sending you lots of aussie optimism for now! You need some lovely japanese help - my I have never met a more serene, polite, quiet people.Love to you from wendy
Posted by: wendy Neukirch | Saturday, 01 October 2011 at 12:35 PM