My “day off “started with the joy of my daughter crawling into bed and giving me the biggest kiss. Then walking up stairs to find fresh coffee in the French Press. After pouring myself a large cup of dark rich coffee, I returned to the basement to do some reading, as I would spend the larger part of my Day OFF reading and resting. Until 8:30am when my driver informed me that the post office had called and we needed to go ASAP to get the box that had arrived. Since Id-e-Qurban starts (according to the post office in 45min) in reality tomorrow. I had to get dressed, and go out in the muddy rainy weather. Upon arrival the Postmaster was on the steps door locked behind him, and in his nicest English said “Late Why You Not Get here Soon” takes all I have to not trip him or something as he works to get the keep out of his pocket open the door and rush me inside. He brings out the book, that I must sign and then pay him the 5$ to take the box. (money due because it’s a larger than normal package) He then calls a young boy and sends us to the customs house. Now for those of you have never gotten a box from America in a supper conservative country let me just start by saying you have never had any fun>> Upon driving completely across town with the box the boy and the book from the Post office that is now officially closed for the holiday. I entered a small brick room in a wall out on the city limit area. Six men who just assumed I didn’t speak their language started talking about how crazy Americans are and all the junk we like. They then started talking about how I didn’t understand this and they should just open and eat some of the food, and keep the books so they could look at the pictures of the women ( Shortcuts Magazine, a Hair style book) WOW … After a few minutes of their insults I started in with the nicest form of their language, but you could see the shock on their face. The fun was on we argued and fought for what must have been 25 minutes over a box of peeps, Christmas candy, 2 magazines, a lamp, a flashlight and some cinnamon scented pine cones. It was really funny that I left the room without a black eye seeing how they all wanted something different for themselves out of the box. I did make it out with only relinquishing one pack of taco seasoning, and 6 hot tamales.
This all before 10am.
Some reading, Lunch and some email, and then a phone call from the wood stove manufacture. 2pm I started getting things ready in our home for the stove to go in our basement. This required taking out a window, cutting some wire to install a pipe, and then around 4:30pm driving over to pick up the stove, and 2 people to help move it from the Patrol (which the battery is working well thank you) and carry it to the basement. Then I installed the 30 ft of pipe to pull the wood smoke out, all before dinner @ 6:30, and then a skype conversation with my family.
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