After 36 days, we finally were able to unpack our suitcases.
That's a pretty big deal. At first you think, ha! this isn't so bad, wearing the same three outfits all the time and doing laundry. And then you think, ha! I'm sick of wearing the same thing every day. I guess what is most surprising is that it took me nearly a month to get to that point. On the other hand, new (to me, again) clothes!
We left California on New Year's Eve, and flew across the time zones to land in France on New Year's Day. We arrived in Nice without incident, our 100-plus pounds of luggage notwithstanding. We picked up our new (2km on the odometer!!) car, and everything actually fit.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Saturday, December 19, 2015
At the Airport
It seemed to be touch-and-go as to whether we would actually leave Abu Dhabi. And this is only a slight exaggeration.
When the company cancels your visa, it is obliged to repatriate you. Some companies give you cash, our company insists on booking the ticket. We made the request for a flight well in advance, and to say it was roundly ignored might be a little harsh. But it would not be inaccurate to say it was useless.
When the company cancels your visa, it is obliged to repatriate you. Some companies give you cash, our company insists on booking the ticket. We made the request for a flight well in advance, and to say it was roundly ignored might be a little harsh. But it would not be inaccurate to say it was useless.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
An Epic Fail
There is, of course, no such thing as a good telecoms company. There are only variations of suckage.
It is true the world over, I'm sure. (Just ask the folks in Los Angeles how much they enjoy watching their baseball team. Wait, the local cable company doesn't broadcast the local games?? Unheard of!)
One of the things on the to-do list was to cancel the cable/phone/wireless account. I went last week to do this, to see if they would cancel it on a date in the future. Nope, they said, you have to come back on the day you want to cancel.
It is true the world over, I'm sure. (Just ask the folks in Los Angeles how much they enjoy watching their baseball team. Wait, the local cable company doesn't broadcast the local games?? Unheard of!)
One of the things on the to-do list was to cancel the cable/phone/wireless account. I went last week to do this, to see if they would cancel it on a date in the future. Nope, they said, you have to come back on the day you want to cancel.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Countdown to Departure
We're getting down to the wire, here in Abu Dhabi.
Selling furniture, trying to empty the apartment, arranging for a mover for the few meager possessions we want to keep.
It's been a little stressful.
Selling furniture, trying to empty the apartment, arranging for a mover for the few meager possessions we want to keep.
It's been a little stressful.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Begin Again
So, six years in Abu Dhabi and it's time to do something different.
We are heading for a mid-December departure, and all that comes with it: shutting down one life and starting up another.
The warnings about both have been dire. "Leave enough time for the power company to return your deposit" "Make sure your landlord signs off on the apartment" "Get your health insurance in order" "Apply for a visa far enough in advance".
But that's the part you want to hear about, isn't it? The visa? What we will do next?
We are heading for a mid-December departure, and all that comes with it: shutting down one life and starting up another.
The warnings about both have been dire. "Leave enough time for the power company to return your deposit" "Make sure your landlord signs off on the apartment" "Get your health insurance in order" "Apply for a visa far enough in advance".
But that's the part you want to hear about, isn't it? The visa? What we will do next?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)