Red Tape Day
Up early this morning to get a jump on the day. On Friday I was allowed to see the household goods sent on a container from the US. Only one painting-on-glass was damaged so far. Though it was a favorite it wasn't terribly expensive, and I count myself lucky on damage.
The process is excruciating and the waiting sucks. The incompetence of my shipper and my packing 'expert' has me boiling mad, but it also boils down to whether customs decides to use my valuations, who the guy with the stamp is, and what kind of mood he's in when it's time to use it. I've already paid more than the items are worth just to get them here.
I get to watch for another couple of hours today as they go through my things box by box asking me what L' ectric Shave and the like is (no, they don't have anything like it here), and why doesn't my crock-pot have a serial number. This is before the government gets to it for a second time (first time was to see if there were drugs).
As we're coming up on week seven (two of which were because of over-booking by my shipper that cost me another 200 bucks for extra handling and storage in the US) my gringo patience is wearing thin. The common knowledge is that it takes so long because someone (everyone) is looking for a bribe to grease the skids. However, my landlord is connected and has taken a shine to me, so any undue monkey business won't buy baby a new pair of shoes, but a stiff talking-to and a sleepless night or two for some poor bastard.
