Junie's Online Thoughts
Friday, November 29, 2002
You know, the days and nights of running around in a blind panic, worrying about packing and cleaning and selling cars seems sooooooooo long ago. Literally. It was just two days now where we were to the point of f*ck-it packing (meaning we either gave stuff away, threw it away or dragged it to the curb in the hopes that someone in the neighborhood would want our furniture, dishes, household goods, some clothes and odds and ends. Many many thanks to friends Kim and Paul, who gave us a wonderful night before we left, feeding us and giving us wine, lending us a bed since ours was packed, and humoring us by waking up at 6:30 in the morning to see us off as we drove to the storage space, then to return the rental car. Many thanks to Leah, Darryl, DaveR, Tracey, Becky and all those who helped us move, gave us rides or helped us not go completely crazy. Those last few days were hell.
Then we sat on the plane for a day, scrunched up but boozed up as well, and somehow made it through the Accra airport without hassles from customs, although we did face hundreds of people asking to help us with our bags, help us with taxis, help us with anything to get a tip. We found a few porters, who led us to a taxi, who took us to the guesthouse, who made us a room when there was none for us. Luckily they had a spare space that we can stay in until a room in the guesthouse opens up. (on dec 2nd). Most folks are nice, although its weird to be sweaty all the time, and to see palm trees and people everywhere and goats and chickens and taxis forever honking and open sewars and all the adjustments that go with living in a foreign country. But they have cake. and ice cream. and beer. havent seen the thai food or oreos yet, but theres still hope.
Today we are banking, emailing and hopefully finding a post office. To those reading this who have contact with my mom, please wish her an early birthday for me. I havent mailed her card yet, and when i do, it will take two weeks to get there. I dont want to forget her birthday like i did my dads, only to realize that i had talked to him on his birthday, but actaully didnt say it until two days later. Oopos. anyway, happy birthday mom. I love you. Gotta run. Its Jeremys turn to email.
Monday, November 25, 2002
Ok. Life is a little bit crazy. Its Monday and our house is looking alright. We had some friends over Saturday night and they kept saying, "oh my gosh you guys have a lot of stuff left to pack. gosh you have a lot left to do." I thought we were doing pretty good and I left the furniture so people would have places to sit. I guess folks dont realize that I/we are a force to be reckoned with. Yesterday was full of manual labor...numerous trips to the storage unit, ate lunch with Lili, our boss from Noodle (authentic Korean food...okay, but too sour on a hung over stomach), packed up the bedroom, finished 1/3rd of my xmas cards, dropped off the fish and tons o food at Kim & Pauls, and sighed many frantic panicked sighs.
Today is much like that...more trips to the storage, need to buy a backpack, mosquito netting, some pants and many odds and ends, need to go to the post office and bank, need to finish the cards, get the house completely ready for moving tomorrow with the rental van at noon (so anyone reading this who lives in Atlanta, please come help us move at noon on Tuesday.) It seems like an impossible list of to-dos, but im sure we will be burning the midnight oil to get it done.
Packed my first big luggage bag. Jesus, its heavy, not as heavy as I thought it would be, but im really really daunted by the amount of stuff I want to bring and the limited space of my bags. Not to mention my limited number of arms to carry these bags around a crazy Ghanian airport. Thats why the carry on will be a backpack.
Sold the car on Saturday. Now I have money to travel. That a relief. The guy was kind of a petty dick at the end. He had had my car all week while we were in MN, and when he brought it back, he seemed to act like he was teaching his son the basics of bargaining with a woman. I was like, look, I refuse to take less than this and Im not about to pay the $780 that the dealer said it would take to fix two small stains on the backseat carpeting. (like hes going to fix that anyway, stupid Alpharetta asshole.) Anyway, its done with and I should just let it go.
Well, Ive got to run....craziness is calling...yes, Stacy, I will call you tonight so be home, ok?
