And the Saga Continues

Well folks, 71 days now here in Russia and still no furniture. For those of you short on memory here's a recap. The moving company pushed us to have our furniture packed in NYC earlier than we had wanted (5/23 to be exact) under the guise that our shipment would arrive in Russia and be delivered within 10 weeks. Since that initial time quote the moving company has been able to consistently set time lines and expectations to which they have come nowhere close to meeting. After they packed our furniture they then informed us that there is a worldwide shortage of shipping containers and that our shipment would arrive in St. Petersburg on 7/23 (about 9 weeks, which is within the quoted 10 weeks). Shipment makes an unexpected stop in Hamburg, Germany and does not hit St. Pete until 8/5 (now outside 10 weeks).

We have been informed that our furniture is still in St. Pete and that it should arrive in Moscow on Thursday. Two days to clear Moscow customs (I don't even want to ask them about why it has to clear customs again once it hits Moscow) and then it will be delivered at 9AM Saturday morning. If they actually manage to hit that date it will have been 86 days since they picked up our stuff in NYC. Ten weeks? I think not.

It is quite important that we receive our shipment prior to August 19th, as this is when we begin our well-deserved vacation! I came to this country with three goals. First, to learn the language and the culture. Second, to find a job with a Russian company. Third, get as many stamps in my passport as I can from countries in Europe, Asia and Africa before returning to the US. I'm making some progress on the first goal, although Olga may have a different view on that. Haven't even begun to work on item number two. Will add Germany and the Czech Republic to my passport this month for item three! Our plan is to hit Berlin, Prague, Munich and then back to Berlin before returning to Moscow on the 28th.

After that it's back to work for Olga and on to the US for me. That's right folks, I'll be taking a tour of three US cities on my 14 or so day jaunt. First to NYC on 8/31 for that all-important new visa! Then to Chicago on 9/3 to see some old friends, hopefully catch a baseball game and enjoy some good wine. From there it's on to good ol' DSM, IA on 9/7 to see the family and more friends. Back to NYC on 9/14 and then back home to Moscow sometime shortly thereafter. I'd love to see as many friends as possible on the return trip to the US, so feel free to email me to let me know if you will be available during my time in any of the three cities.