The Shipment Finally Arrives

Our boxes finally arrived today. It took a bit longer to get here than expected because the company we contracted didn't end up having enough to go direct to Barcelona, so rather than wait, they shipped it to Holland and hired a company to truck it down. I didn't even know any of this. I get an e-mail from a Dutch company. I thought it was spam and almost didn't look at it. But I did look at the e-mail from Bob, and was informed they would be shipping my stuff and would I please fill out the forms. I called Bob up and he said it would take about two weeks. I sent him detailed maps in which I photoshopped the route to the place. He asked me whether a two-piece truck would be able to pass through the streets. I told him I really didn't know. He said he would check into it.

Later on, he emails back with a definite date of December 1, in the morning. The night before, I get a call from Steve, who is on the road with my stuff. Not only does he not have the maps I sent, but he has no clue whether his truck will fit. He says he will see me tomorrow in any case.

The next morning, I get a call from Dennis in Holland, who asks me whether the truck could park and unload. I tell him I honestly don't know the requirements as I just moved here. He says he will call me back. An hour later, he does and tells me that he spoke to a colleague company in Barcelona and they say there is no way the truck will fit! What do I know. So they will leave the stuff with them who will ship on Tuesday. Ugh.

Finally, on Tuesday, today, the movers do arrive! One guy, Brendan, with long red hair and freckled face, definitely doesn't look Spanish, but he speaks to me in Spanish. "Porque English," he asks me, pointing to the Fresh Direct, Staples, Corporate Express boxes. I tell him because I'm from New York. "Oh," he says, and then asks to use my bathroom. Later on I realized it still wasn't clear why they were coming from Holland.

Well, I mostly have everything unpacked and put away, if not organized, even with Isabel sick today. It's nice to see some of the familiar stuff, but I'm not sure I like how much the apartment is getting filled up!