Marhaba,
Finally, I am moved from the old flat to the new flat. Yesterday I called several movers to come over to give me an estimate. The first one to show up said he would do it for 70KD, but we settled on 55 KD. Odd that the previous mover started at 70 and settled on 55. I decided not to wait for the other mover to show up since this one had his crew with him already. So, I gave him the nod and they started grabbing furniture and maybe 2 hours later they had finished. Actually it was worth it because these guys were BIG! I was amazed, one fellow grabbed the refrigerator and carried it down the stairs on his back and then carried it up three flights of stairs on his back. I am so glad this move is OVER!!!
Now to get the boxes open and stuff put away. I still have a few items in the car that need to be moved in, but last night I was just too tired to climb the stairs again. I sure hope the elevator gets finished soon.
I was going to take a day off to get the flat organized, but then decided I would rather not burn a "V" day to do it since I have all the time I need after work. My social calendar here in Kuwait is currently empty, so I have no need to hurry up with anything.
Note to all: "when you move and pack your boxes, be sure to mark the contents on the box."
Granted, I am going to open all the boxes, but it would be easier to stage them in the appropriate area first. I can't believe how much stuff I have accumulated since I have gotten here. I arrived with two suitcase's, now it is the two suitcases and 20 boxes of stuff and I could not believe how much food I had in the fridge and freezer.
My next project will be to get the satellite dish installed and hooked up. The previous building had a central dish system, but this one does not. I bought my own dish and will get it installed eventually, no hurry there since TV is a distraction and currently I have seen everything that is on TV here since they run shows that are several years old. I think they are still playing Stargate SG-1, season one. But, I am glad I can get ALL my channels from one satellite, so setup should be a snap.
well , I guess that's all the news that's fit to print.
TTYL - Ma'assalama
Mike
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Moving...
Marhaba!
My god it is getting hot here. Not even 8 am and the temp is 95, the forecast high for today is 118 and even hotter tomorrow. I have been up and at it since 4 am today , boxing stuff up and then taking the boxes to the car. Yesterday I moved the wooden closet over piece by piece and got it setup and ready for my clothes, swept and mopped the floor and finished after 6 pm. I was planning to take more stuff over but I sat on the couch and could not find the energy to move. Then around 7:30 pm the house boy, Ramadan, started showing the flat to some prospective tenants, two Kuwaiti couples then an American couple, not to mention the two women that viewed the flat earlier in the day. Ramadan told me this morning that three of the four that have looked at the place want it, asking me what he should do. I said basically "money talks". Telling him the first to pay the lease and sign the contract would be the winners. He agreed.
I have a load of stuff to move over in the car, and was ready to go but Ramadan came by with his buckets and stuff and was going to wash the car while it was still cool, so I decide to take a short break while he does his thing. Looking around the flat I see more stuff that I can load in the car, since I still have room, so I will have a pretty full load when I do go over. It would not be so bad but my new flat is on the third floor and the lift is not finished. The building owner has been saying "10 days - Insha'alla (god willing)" since last month, which means maybe by the 12th, (of never).. so I guess I am getting plenty of cardio exercise. I had a mover look over the flats and got a quote for the big stuff, at first he said maybe 50 KD , but since I am on the 3rd flor at the new place and second floor in the old place, and my washer and dryer are on the 3 floor here, he said 70 KD. I haggled him back down to 55 KD but I sill think that is two much. But I have to do something. I will call the Realtor that handled the lease and see if he can find me a better price. Heck, for the commission I paid him he should move it all himself. They have a real scam going on here, as most all Realtors are freelance and the commision is 1/2 months rent, I guess they provide a service.
Well, Timeto get back to it!
Have a GREAT DAY! Ya'LL
TTYL, Ma'assalama
Mike
My god it is getting hot here. Not even 8 am and the temp is 95, the forecast high for today is 118 and even hotter tomorrow. I have been up and at it since 4 am today , boxing stuff up and then taking the boxes to the car. Yesterday I moved the wooden closet over piece by piece and got it setup and ready for my clothes, swept and mopped the floor and finished after 6 pm. I was planning to take more stuff over but I sat on the couch and could not find the energy to move. Then around 7:30 pm the house boy, Ramadan, started showing the flat to some prospective tenants, two Kuwaiti couples then an American couple, not to mention the two women that viewed the flat earlier in the day. Ramadan told me this morning that three of the four that have looked at the place want it, asking me what he should do. I said basically "money talks". Telling him the first to pay the lease and sign the contract would be the winners. He agreed.
I have a load of stuff to move over in the car, and was ready to go but Ramadan came by with his buckets and stuff and was going to wash the car while it was still cool, so I decide to take a short break while he does his thing. Looking around the flat I see more stuff that I can load in the car, since I still have room, so I will have a pretty full load when I do go over. It would not be so bad but my new flat is on the third floor and the lift is not finished. The building owner has been saying "10 days - Insha'alla (god willing)" since last month, which means maybe by the 12th, (of never).. so I guess I am getting plenty of cardio exercise. I had a mover look over the flats and got a quote for the big stuff, at first he said maybe 50 KD , but since I am on the 3rd flor at the new place and second floor in the old place, and my washer and dryer are on the 3 floor here, he said 70 KD. I haggled him back down to 55 KD but I sill think that is two much. But I have to do something. I will call the Realtor that handled the lease and see if he can find me a better price. Heck, for the commission I paid him he should move it all himself. They have a real scam going on here, as most all Realtors are freelance and the commision is 1/2 months rent, I guess they provide a service.
Well, Timeto get back to it!
Have a GREAT DAY! Ya'LL
TTYL, Ma'assalama
Mike
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sometimes "Time Flies"... other times it doesn't
Marhaba!
Today is May 11, 2009. I have been preparing to move to my new flat since signing the lease 2 weeks ago, the landlord has assured me it will be ready by the 15th or maybe the 20th :-( .I just wish I could start moving things over like the boxes of stuff already packed and some of the small furniture items. Since I am doing this move myself I would appreciate all the time I can get. Still have not figured out how I will get the bigger things moved yet. I was reading on a few blogs about moving in Kuwait and I have heard that it does not come cheap if you hire a professional company, but I will ask about and see who can help. The real estate agent said he would help? I wonder if he will help me find a mover or help physically. I will find out when it comes time to actually move. I will need someone with a truck, even though the new place is 1/2 km or less away (about a big city block). I will stop by today again and see what progress has been made. The biggest problem now is the kitchen needs the plumbing installed. Other than that, most of the work has been done. The landlord, last time we spoke, was still not sure if he was going to put the exterior storm shades on.
I have been trying to catch a photo of the native spiny tail lizards but when I have my camera I see no lizards and when I don't, I do. How do they know if I have it or not? I see a lot of dead ones on the road, they don't appear to be too bright, other than the bright yellow color. I have steered to miss several, they run out onto the road then stop and stare you down. But many drivers just plow them over, either for fun or just too lazy to steer clear of them. The weather is warm here but still cool enough that they come out of their burrows. Soon it will be too HOT even for the lizards
.
Update1: I went by the new flat after work and met with the landlord and looked around. things are looking really good and he again assured me that he would have the apartment finished in 5 days or so, storm shades and all, and that I could start moving things end by this coming week end. That is GREAT!!!
Update2: As I was leaving work I saw this character looking at me, and I had my camera so I was finally able to capture one in a picture! This one is not so yellow so it must be an older lizard. I think the young ones are bright yellow.. This one is pretty large, you can see a plastic shopping bag near it for comparison. I am not sure what they eat, but this one does not look like it has missed any meals. I have seen them eating the flower buds on the plants in the foreground.
Well have a Great Day!
Ma'assalama - TTYL
Mike
Today is May 11, 2009. I have been preparing to move to my new flat since signing the lease 2 weeks ago, the landlord has assured me it will be ready by the 15th or maybe the 20th :-( .I just wish I could start moving things over like the boxes of stuff already packed and some of the small furniture items. Since I am doing this move myself I would appreciate all the time I can get. Still have not figured out how I will get the bigger things moved yet. I was reading on a few blogs about moving in Kuwait and I have heard that it does not come cheap if you hire a professional company, but I will ask about and see who can help. The real estate agent said he would help? I wonder if he will help me find a mover or help physically. I will find out when it comes time to actually move. I will need someone with a truck, even though the new place is 1/2 km or less away (about a big city block). I will stop by today again and see what progress has been made. The biggest problem now is the kitchen needs the plumbing installed. Other than that, most of the work has been done. The landlord, last time we spoke, was still not sure if he was going to put the exterior storm shades on.
I have been trying to catch a photo of the native spiny tail lizards but when I have my camera I see no lizards and when I don't, I do. How do they know if I have it or not? I see a lot of dead ones on the road, they don't appear to be too bright, other than the bright yellow color. I have steered to miss several, they run out onto the road then stop and stare you down. But many drivers just plow them over, either for fun or just too lazy to steer clear of them. The weather is warm here but still cool enough that they come out of their burrows. Soon it will be too HOT even for the lizards
.Update1: I went by the new flat after work and met with the landlord and looked around. things are looking really good and he again assured me that he would have the apartment finished in 5 days or so, storm shades and all, and that I could start moving things end by this coming week end. That is GREAT!!!
Update2: As I was leaving work I saw this character looking at me, and I had my camera so I was finally able to capture one in a picture! This one is not so yellow so it must be an older lizard. I think the young ones are bright yellow.. This one is pretty large, you can see a plastic shopping bag near it for comparison. I am not sure what they eat, but this one does not look like it has missed any meals. I have seen them eating the flower buds on the plants in the foreground.
Well have a Great Day!
Ma'assalama - TTYL
Mike
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