Well, folks, it’s been some morning.
After numerous back-and-forths with the Guangzhou China Shipping Company agent for the last 3 days, my things from China finally arrived.

They left Chengdu on July 11, arrived into Laos on July 21 (Sunday) and landed in Vientiane yesterday. My Chinese exchange with the China representative had him wanting to deliver on my phone call, immediately, at 5:30 p.m., while I was sitting leisurely in the office with Santi and Khamxay.

“NO!” I adamantly said. “Tomorrow. Wednesday. 11 a.m.”

I was asked to link him to my apartment building’s location, which I did, and was OKed for time and place. I prepared my apartment space with care and was ready to go!

On time. . . Somewhat

At 11 a.m. ,when I got the call from the Laos driver, I had not a clue what he was saying. I had to hang up on the poor man, send his number to Santi (one of my staff in the office who serves as translator), have him call back and figure out what was going on.

“They are at the Chinese Embassy,” Santi reported back to me.

What?!! Why at the Chinese Embassy?

Obviously, the agent in China didn’t send them my location. And the fact that my address was typed and clearly stated IN ENGLISH didn’t help. (How are these delivery haulers, who haven’t had much education beyond grade school, supposed to read an English address?)

Since the stuff was coming from China, they assumed it might be a Chinese embassy new arrival, thus the stop in front of the Chinese embassy.

“Don’t worry,” Santi quickly piped up to my moans and groans. “I will lead them to your apartment.”

And lead away he did! (See us below)

At 11:35, the truck pulled up. Four Laos workers descended from the vehicle’s cabin to begin unloading. Under my direction, we made very quick progress.

Making Someone’s Day

It is not the custom here to tip but I have always been one who knows how such gestures brighten a person’s day.

I knew it would be a challenge to get across my requirements for this move. I had a system and a plan in my head to make a smooth transition of the entire enterprise. Getting it translated well enough so as not to cause annoyance was another story but Santi did a great job.

The 4 workers were not too thrilled with my plan that we open the boxes quickly to make sure other boxes weren’t inside. The shipping company reboxed some of my previously boxed and labeled items, meaning that I wanted to get rid of excess cardboard as soon as possible. Easier to do that outside than in my apartment.

When Santi made this request, I could see the bemused looks on all their faces, including eyeing one another with a very readable, “What is this foreigner thinking?! We are going to unpack her things and put them away for her? She’s nuts.”

Santi and I worked together to explain just a quick knife-slice of the tape, peek-a-boo inside to see if already boxed or not and then immediate carry-in was all I desired. I furthermore added I’d help if they’d like, after presenting them with my kitchen parring knives to add further ease to the ask.

Once we had that established, and started in with this whiz-bang approach, they were a lot happier. It went very fast and included me handing out candies from my candy bowl as they did their back-and-forth journeys.

The discarded boxes, wooden crate materials and bubble wrap were gleefully stacked and hauled away by my apartment caretaker. He will be making quite a bit of money off of those with our neighborhood recycle guy who pays by the pound for paper and other products.

When all was finished, and my signature on the release form, I gave one last request: Come into my home so we could take a picture together.

It was obvious that they just wanted to get on their way but 3 of them were actually quite eager to have our photo taken together, a first for them with a client.

Santi did the honors with my camera . . . .

And then I did the honors with my purse.

Talk about surprise and appreciation! They were so happy to get a little extra added in, something not expected. It wasn’t much, equivalent of $4, but enough to fill a motorbike tank full of gas and a meal.

A Third Floor Moving Story

Thank goodness I didn’t live on the 2nd or 3rd floor, like my Korean neighbors. Their things were brought in 2 truckloads and the poor Laos handlers had to carry not only boxes but furniture, and an upright piano (!), to the 3rd floor.

I know for a fact they didn’t get a tip. They certainly should have.
I still remember watching 8 Laos men struggling to get that piano up the stairs to each landing

It was a scary moment when it looked as if it would slip. As I watched with great concern for their safety (forget the piano — it was dangerous to lift that thing on slippery tile!), my Korean neighbor was chuckling.

“You see how many Lao workers are carrying that,” he somewhat scoffed. With arrogant pride, he added, “In Korea, two men only to move my piano.”

That didn’t sit well with me.

“In Korea,” I shot back, “I doubt they had to carry it up 3 flights of stairs.”

Didn’t get a response to that one.

Welcome to Your New Home

It’ll be at least a few week’s task unpacking and sorting through things: tossing, keeping, giving away, recyling (loose papers, folders, unwanted books are included in those heavy bags lining the wall) and then pondering more if I want certain items tossed or kept or given away . . .

Still not sure what emotions will follow as I come to grips with this very personal move.

One chapter of my life closing; another opening up.

Signing off for now,

Connie in Laos