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Ace Ventura is My Mailman

So the epic story of my boxes continues.  I last wrote on December 20th, a month after I had mailed them from the US.  At that time there was no sign at all that the boxes would ever arrive.

Shortly after the New Year, I randomly received a notice one day.  The ladies in the office got excited, as it was clearly from the post office.  It asked me to send a copy of my passport, my visa and then the original customs form.  So we messengered that along to the main post office, somewhere in the heart of Hanoi.

About a week later, I got another letter which said that boxes had arrived at the local post office and were ready for pick up.  It also informed me I needed to pay a customs fee – 30,000 VND.  Equivalent of about $2.00.

So with Ms. Linh, I  headed to the post office with all my papers.  When we arrived, the woman behind the counter and pull out a huge stack of papers, held together with one butterfly clip.  She flipped through the papers until she found my sheets.  And then a few people began retrieving my boxes from the back of the room.

The sight of the first box made my heart stop for just a moment.  And then one after another, torn, squished and lifeless boxes came out from behind the counter.  I kid you not – they truly looked like Ace Ventura had gotten a hold with them and played a few games of soccer.  This photo does not lie.

 

IN the end, 9 of my 10 boxes arrived, the missing one being my box of CDs.  That was not surprising to me.  And after surveying the boxes, the damage and wondering the state of the contents inside, the woman asked for my 30,000 VND.  I laughed.  I asked her who would pay me for all of the damage they had done to my things.  I asked her about the value of the missing box and who would pay me.  She didn’t find this funny.  But I put my foot down.  I told them that when my 10th box arrived, I would happily pay the 30,000 VND.  The women sounded like clucking chickens as they argued about why I need to pay the money.

Ms. Linh was good at standing firm, too.  She understood my emotions and my reasoning completely.  She said she was also worried about the contents inside and the arrival of the 10th box.  The ladies wanted me to sign paperwork and pay the money, but I refused.  I figured it gave them incentive for getting that 10th box.  (Everyone who lives in Vietnam is laughing at that statement right now.  Still, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.)

Once home, I took photos of all my boxes in their horrid state and then began the process of unwrapping everything.  All of my boxes had been opened and much of the contents had been unwrapped.  Although in one box, I think they gave up because I wrapped everything so ridiculously much that it must have taken to long to cut the tape and layers of newspaper.  I was particularly pissed when I realized that instead of just cutting the one piece of scotch tape to open the lovely wooden boxes containing Japanese pottery, they pried open the boxes, breaking them in the process.  Can I hear a collective, “$%&!@”!!!

Only a few items ended up being broken, precious though they were.  The long-stem martini glasses I bought in Kamakura at 5,000 yen a glass is not a set of one.  Five sake glasses bought in Fuji are now three.  The bowl which Daisuke and Miyako gave all their wedding guests was too fragile to withstand the pressure of the beating those boxes took.  And really, I could have moved anywhere in the world and lost those items, so I’m quite fortunate, really.

And what do you know.  Two days after I picked up nine boxes and refused to pay the customs fee until the tenth box arrived, I received a notice that my tenth box was on its way from customs.  I have sent off my customs form and copies of my passport and visa.  Now I will wait until I hear notice that the box has arrived at the local post office.  I wonder if all of the CDs will be in the box?  And I really wonder what fee they will try to charge me.

How would you react after you paid $1300 for 10 day service and received your belongings 2 months later in this condition (minus one box)???

On the Bright Side,

Shanna

Where ARE they?

November 25th, Dad and I went to the US Post Office with 10, perfectly wrapped and labeled boxes.  Inside were some clothes, my CDs, household stuff and many of the gifts I received from my friends in Japan.  We anticipated sending the boxes via surface mail, which usually takes a couple of months.  But upon arrival at the post office, we were told that that surface has been canceled.  So we opted for the cheapest – 10 day priority mail.  And paid on average $130 per box.  Ouch.

I don’t have much in life – in terms of ‘things’ anyway.  In fact, aside from what you see in this photo, I have an antique dresser and table, and 8 plastic bins in storage, mostly filled with childhood mementos and oodles of photos.  Oh – and I refuse to throw away my high school and college formal dresses.  Just can’t do it!  But that’s it.  Before I left for Japan, I had a huge yard sale and felt so liberated in getting rid of my ‘stuff’.  And I lived pretty simply in Japan.  I like to keep it that way.  I did manage to collect a few things in Japan, and certainly was given a number of beautiful gifts upon my departure.  I also packed up keepsakes from my travels, college and more. The items in the boxes are my favorite treasures.

In the suitcases were all of the things I felt that I would need sooner rather than later.  And I packed so that all of my business clothes and shoes were in the blue suitcase, so that I could have easy access.  Good plan.  The suitcase system has worked out well, since in my dinky hotel room, I have no space to open all three suitcases.

As I am moving into my new apartment later this week – I am looking forward to spreading out and unpacking.  Except that my boxes have still not arrived.  It’s been nearly a month.  And I am trying to stay calm and not panic, but I’ve heard too many horror stories now.  A large part of me will be devastated (not to mention angry) if I never see these boxes, if the contents have been invasively examined/unwrapped, stolen or damaged.  I am also afraid of what taxes I may have to pay, simply because it’s a good chance to make some money, not because I am actually brining anything new or valuable to the country.  I also have to laugh because I hope they don’t open the two vacuum bags of clothes – won’t that be a shock for them when the stack magically poofs up to 4x the size!  How will they get those clothes back in the box?

I’m not holding my breath, but I will hold out hope that these boxes arrive soon.  I’m having Dad check with the US Post Office to see if they were logged in in Vietnam.  After that, there’s really nothing else for me to do but wait.  Patiently.  Please.  Toto, we are SO not in Kansas anymore!

My worldly possessions – My suitcases and boxes, safe and sound in my parents’ living room.  Can you guess which four items have made it to Vietnam and which ten haven’t?

On the Bright Side,

Shanna

Lucky #28

It just so happens that 28 is one of my lucky numbers.  It is my “ideal” age, if anyone asks.  It is also the year I went to Italy for a 3 week vacation – a trip which inspired me to live abroad, travel, etc.  28 was a good year.

In Hanoi, it was the 28th apartment I viewed which brought me luck.  I just finished my meeting with the owner and HR Director for my company – I GOT IT!!!

I will be living right in the neighborhood I’ve been hoping for, behind the Sheraton and Intercontinental hotels.  I have a brand-spanking-new apartment. In fact, they are still finishing construction. It is 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, top floor, furnished and nice, bright and beautiful.  Very open floor plan and comfortable.

The owner, Mr. Thien, said the apartment will be ready December 25th.  Merry Christmas to me!  Woo Hoo!!!

On the Bright Side,

Shanna

Two More Days

Here I am with my 10 boxes, three check-ins and one carry-on.  Not sure if it’s good or bad that my life is so compact!  Of course, we can’t see my 8 bins in the storage shed!  This photo was taken yesterday, just before my dad and I hauled all those boxes to the Post Office.

While I have often commented that everything in life is negotiable, I can confidently inform you that that rule does not apply to shipping fees.  I tried my best to get a “well prepared” discount, as some dude didn’t even have his boxes taped up.  I pleaded for a holiday discount.  I posed a “good helper” discount, as my dad and I helped stamp documents and put stickers on boxes.  Discount for 10 boxes?  Cuz we’re nice?  Pretty please?  Veronica just smiled and shook her head.  Not negotiable.  Bummer!  I just hope that the staff member I get at the airline counter in two days will be more lenient with baggage fees.  Fingers crossed.

Two more days.  In between today and my departure is Thanksgiving.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy time spent with your loved ones.  I’m especially thinking of my friends Bobby and Jeff…I hope they know how much they are loved, how many people are supporting them, are thinking about them and are thankful for them.  They are two incredibly special people.

The next time you hear from me, I will have landed in Hanoi, started my exciting and already-busy, new job and hopefully will be settled into an apartment or house.  Let the adventurous blogging resume!

Safe, healthy and happy holidays to you!

On the Bright Side,

Shanna

Two More Weeks!

If moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do, then moving overseas must take the cake! In just two weeks from today, I will be landing in Hanoi, ready to start a new job and a new life adventure.  I can’t wait!

The living room is an absolute mess right now.  I have boxes of things which need to be sent on the right side of the room and then all of the things I hope to pack and take with me on the left.  On the big chair is a pile of clothes I’d like to pack, but if there is no space, I can live without the items the 6-8 weeks it will take to get there.  The dining room table is full of projects I’m trying to complete before I go; letters to my kids and friends in Japan, mostly.

The biggest headache of moving overseas is actually dealing with the airlines and baggage restrictions.  I bought two HUGE duffle bags, but have since learned that they are just too big and that each bag would incur a $110 fee for being oversize.  If they were the correct size, but over 50lbs, then it’s just a $50 fee.  If I pack a 3rd bag, within 62 inches and 50lbs, then it’s $110.  All this does is make me feel like I’m in math class trying to solve a problem.  So frustrating!

I’ve started to have strange dreams about my job.  I’ve had the dreams where I’ve slept in and am late to work, that I didn’t do something right, or that I can’t meet a challenge presented to me.  For all my fervor for stepping back into the professional world, there’s a wee part of me which is scared to death!  I want so much to hit the ground sprinting, to bring this company success and prestige, and exceed expectations.  I just need to stop worrying, step up to the plate and knock it out of the park!

My flight lands on 11/29 about 10:30pm.  I’ll be greeted by the Press Club driver, Hun, and will be taken to a hotel near the office.  I’ll have Sunday on my own to recover and take a walk around the city, or call Mr. Tang and motorbike my way around a bit.  Thank goodness the city is still fresh in my memory.  I also want to see where the flood areas were.  (Note to self: Second floor or higher apartment would be a good idea.)

I start my job on Monday, December 1st.  That will be spent looking for a home with an agent and getting a health check, required for my work permits. I’m excited to be able to choose my home (within budget) and really hope I find something immediately. (I’m gearing for 2+ bedrooms, as I hope for and expect lots of visitors!)   The next day, I will go to the Press Club and meet all of my coworkers.  Kurt will be back from Bangkok and he and I will begin to create our strategy of how we will “kick ass.” (He’s giving me until Christmas to get up to speed, feel ‘comfi’ and get settled. Then we must “kick ass.”)

Tonight I’m getting together with a few friends to say farewell.  That aspect hasn’t quite hit  me yet either.  It’s been so fun this past year to be able to speak on the phone and visit friends more frequently.  Heck, my friend Sara even came to Cambodia with me on her vacation!!!  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time with my family, Friday and Sunday nights with my 2nd family, and especially my new little niece.  While I successfully kept up with people while in Japan, I have taken for granted in this last year my ability to give people a hug and actually SEE you!  That won’t hit me until I’m on the plane, or perhaps the day I move into my new home.  But it will hit hard – that’s for sure.

Well, it’s time to go get ready for that party and take another look at the mess in the living room – I’ll try once more to visualize how it will all fit neatly into my suitcases!   Ha ha ha!

On the Bright Side,

Shanna

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