Everything made it here, finally!
The (HHE) house hold effects (linens, clothes, kitchen stuff, and all those supplies!) were delivered to the apartment last week, the car is at the embassy awaiting final papers from the Cypriot equivalent of the DOT and I'm here! Amazing it all came together at the same time. Maybe God does know what (s)he is doing!!!
And I finally got here, although there was a doubt for about a half an hour. I flew from SJC to DCA on Saturday and spent the evening with a dear friend Valerie. The good news on her front is that the boutique is doing well and ecommerce may be coming soon!! See: http://www.coupdefoudrelingerie.com --Sunday morning I was able to share my last meal in the States for what could be a long time with Valerie, Sarah and Cindy, for brunch at the Mayflower (pics coming soon! --Sarah, can you pls email to me? thanks.) and then Cindy drove me through the worst hail storm I ever saw (having lived in Austin for 6 years that says a LOT!) to get me to IAD in perfect timing.
Walked inside, to find out my flight was canceled... nice... due to mechanical reasons. And while I'd rather be delayed than crash, it was a pain! While waiting in line for over 45 minutes to get to the ticket counter I called United on their customer service # and by the time I had my ticket issued, I had been re-routed. Instead of a 2-hour layover in LHR, getting me to LAR at 15:00 local time, I was now routed through CGD with an 8-hour (yes, eight hour) layover, getting me to LAR at 20:00 local time. The good news was that Nikki was able to ditch work for a hour+ and bought me coffee in a cute little cafe outside of her work, close to Gare De L'Est.
By the time I made to Cyprus, I was hungry, cranky, over-tired and just frankly dragging, big time. I don't know how Deana is going around the world like this!
My bags, of course, were the last 2 off the airplane, but Ralph was there waiting. He generously had a big hug and some much needed water for me. Nicosia is about a 45 minute drive from the Larnaca (the international airport), when I got to the apartment, I had a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers and a very much needed and lovely bottle of real French champagne chilled and waiting for me.
I finally hit the sack about 23:00 that night and was out! Tuesday was spent mostly putting away things and organizing, Ralph got about 9/10s of our ‘stuff' unpacked. Today, it's just fine-tuning and making a list of things I forgot, or need.
Went to the Embassy this morning, met so many people that I don't think I can remember all the names and faces correctly! And am really happy to have the rest of the day off and 1/2 of tomorrow!!! Got into the Sun server (more later on what a lucky girl I am to have such a killer job!) –so tomorrow afternoon I will be on line and ready to work again. Too cool!
Tomorrow morning, Ralph’s boss’s wife is taking me to the shopping part of the city. Should be interesting, will be on my best behavior ;) Hope to post pictures and more info soon.
Missing all of you very much!
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