Sooo, “welfare” is a word that definitely means something different in Amsterdam. And then there’s the quotation marks… You know, that bread is made from cardboard, you only THOUGHT there was something organic about it. As for the packaging… well, in nine hundred years, you WILL find it in a landfill…! This gave us a good laugh at the Schiphol Airport while we were running around trying to find lunch before our connecting Glasgow flight.
House Update: Last night we gave in to the inevitable, and moved bedrooms – because it looks like the ceiling of our former bedroom may soon be torn up. The flue for the boiler exits through the top of the bedroom closet and out of the house above that window. We’re taking steps to protect our clothes and things BEFORE the plaster starts to fly, knowing that the inconvenience could last for months. Now, mind you, *we* figured this flue thing out; the plumber dude, who has been here for an hour total in the span of two days, is somewhat clueless about what the problem could be. Also: in his dubious enthusiasm for his job, he tends to barge into rooms with closed doors, and has had a tour of our bedroom while T. was down for a nap. There’s nothing like waking up to a strange man saying, “Och, sorry, sorry,” and backing out of one’s room.
ANYWAY. We’ll just draw a veil over that.
The chaos is coming. The question of how long we should put up with it — when we really like this place — is a hard one. We don’t want to move again, but we don’t want to put up with a.) three months of no hot water b.) six months of holes in the wall, curious workmen, and dusty plaster. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt.
Everyone has been so kind – and so full of worry for us – that we want to reiterate: we’re okay! We will survive! It’s only cold. We have a roof, we have food, we have a bed. We have our trusty space heater from the LAST time Scottish Gas cut off our power, and the property manager has loaned us a second one, and in his own sweet time will bring us more. Our electric bill is going to be astronomical, but we’re okay. Unlike so many – we’re alive, and our basic needs are met. And at the moment, it’s only 39° – so it’s getting warmer all the time.
Courage!
Courage!
Paz
Daytime or Nighttime is 39? And is that the interior temp? 😉 Not that it matters too much. It all still just sucks.
It just boggles my mind to read of the nonchalant attitude of the service guys. Is it always this way or just because the landlord/property-owner isn’t personally invested (beyond monetarily) and doesn’t try to have the work completed quickly?
Chin up. Don’t take any wooden bread loaves from strangers. Snuggle for warmth when the service guy isn’t stomping around. Hang some bright curtains in front of the door to keep the dust in and give you something better to look at. And bake as much as you can!!
There seems to be a little construction fairy following you from flat to flat. First the destruction of the bowling alley, then the other boiler, now this boiler and pipes. Hmmm….