Crates Ahoy!

The 2 crates of belongings have arrived and it was quite a flurry of activity. We did not get as much notice as we expected. We hoped they would bring them up the plaza near the actual building but it was not to be. But it all worked out in the end.

My wife was fine transferring the contents of the pallets herself, with a little help from me and a dolly. I carried some items but wasn’t unloading so much as keeping watch over the belongings. We did it in phases. First, up the plaza and the first set of stairs, next to the building. Then, into the lobby, up a few more stairs, and in the elevator into the apartment.

Our building supervisor kept nervous watch and warned us (in Portuguese and mime) to carry up the items that weren’t in boxes and bins because they would be easy for someone to carry off. An American neighbor in our building helped with the last few boxes. A neighbor on our floor was angry that we left the lobby door open while we were in the process of moving the bins. Fechado! Fechado!

Our apartment has now exploded with stuff. It is a little nerve-wracking for me as I was truly enjoying the open, empty space. I know it is just temporary.

• 2:41 pm – the first call from the delivery driver. UPakWeShip told us we would get a call to schedule the delivery. Instead, the driver called about and hour before he was to arrive. He asked if we were at the apartment now, and I was able to understand that and answer yes. When I told him my Portuguese wasn’t very good and asked if we could text or use WhatsApp, he asked me to wait and hung up. (The hanging up wasn’t a problem, and I didn’t take it that way).
• 2:46 pm – An English speaking person calls me from the delivery service to tell me the driver will be there in half an hour. I try to talk to her about possibility of getting the truck closer to the building but its not working. I tell her we will wait at the street for the truck. I download TaskRabbit app.
• Paula and I frantically run around, trying to get the key card for the outside parking area, which is up a ramp and through a gate arm and be down at the street. I text our American neighbor and he will let us borrow it. I’m upset because Paula won’t meet the neighbor where I told him she would be and I’m trying to stay at the street to meet the truck. Paula finds the apartment super. The American neighbor finds me. Texting and running about ensue.
• 3:15 pm – The delivery truck finds Paula; it is too big to go up the ramp. We’ve had a mere 30 minutes to prepare for the arrival. The truck has to go around the block to get a good entry way (our street is a two-way that becomes a one-way right near our building). The truck pulls into position just off the sidewalk. I’ve thought about using TaskRabbit to arrange for people to help with the pallet. But I can’t get TaskRabbit app to work, despite the fact that I’ve heard it is available in Portugal, and IKEA uses it to assemble furniture. Yes, this is poor planning.
• 3:25 – 3:30 pm – The pallets are dropped about 2 meters from the street, and many, many meters from the stairs to our building.

3:30 – about 4:00 pm – We start opening up the crates, which is strong cardboard with a lid, attached to a pallet, wrapped in thick plastic wrap and packing belts. Paula uses the dolly to carry stuff up away from the sidewalk and up near our building. I start cutting the cardboard down to size, walking a few lighter items up. The building super is watching over the items. He wants to help, but he is older and Paula won’t let him.

It is a busy time with schools letting out and people stare at the crates. We are right next to the metro station and a bus stop. We are also next to the recycling and trash bins for the neighborhood. Most of them are full and there are bags of recyclables sitting around. I put the huge sheets of cardboard behind the cardboard recycling bin. I worry about how to separate the wood from the cardboard from the plastic sheeting. Our super indicates we can leave it where it is.

• 4:00 to 5:00 pm – We dolly and carry the stuff up to the apartment. The elevators are very tiny. The neighbor complains to me. Someone in another building walks by when about 8 bins are left and asks the super “que é isso” (what is that)? I start wondering what they think is so strange. Don’t people change apartments and move their belongings around here? Our American neighbor arrives from his errand and helps us finish up.
• 5:00 – 5:30 – We start unpacking bins in the apartment. We decide I will walk to the store to get a frozen pizza and some snacks.

5:40 pm – I walk downstairs and all the trash is gone. I’m astounded. It must have been trash day and they just took it all.

Whew! All of our belongings are now all safe and sound in our unit, and most of the plastic bins and boxes have disgorged their contents into various areas of the apartment. Yet another tie to our old life has been severed.

I’m enjoying life in Portugal, despite the rare frantic and urgent occurrence!