On strikes and containers not arriving - or so they say

So, I'm sleeping in my apartment - got some bed linen from Paola and Enrico, it's very clean. I spent 6 hours yesterday getting it ready for the arrival of my container today. But, early signals were given yesterday that all is not well in Genoa. Some strike or other and someone not willing to sign some papers releasing my container. But we were all being optimistic about it. Things were supposed to solve themselves out this morning.

Got up in the morning, it was raining, I think it still is. The people with the elevator car were there waiting early in the morning. Standing under big umbrellas. Very patient. and we waited. I put some things in closets, cupboards, etc. But, nothing happened. No news from Genoa. The guy signing the papers there was not doing his thing this morning. or so we were told. Time passed. I went to the office. At some point Michela said, let's see who we know in the customs (because the claim was that they were on strike). Finally, she got up to a very highly ranked colonel who promised to help (for those who didn't read the previous chapters or know Michela - she was the one who got the bank to cash a bankers' check for me by calling the corporate manager, she can move mountains when necessary). He did help, and we got the papers signed or whatever, but by this time - it seems the movers had had enough for one day (it was three by then) and wanted to go back home for a hot meal and some rest. So, the container is supposed to come on Monday. At least, like Michela said, we got to know some high ranking officials in the Italian Customs Authority....

How am I managing in the apartment you might be wondering? (my father says this is like in the great TV show - 'allo 'allo, to quote Rene - you might be wondering what I'm doing here....) Like camping out. Had good training in the scouts and in the army. Things are OK really, it's very quiet - no TV, no computer, and empty, there's an echo from the walls, I've got a cup and a plate, and some plastic cutlery. A pot to heat some water for coffee and tea, a big supermarket (the biggest in Milan, it seems) about 5 min. walk away from me, I've got electric appliances, an i-pod thanks to my uncle and some friendly neighbors down below. Not too bad, really. It would have been nicer with my stuff, but I'll have to live with things as they are. I I really need to do a wash. wonder where I'll hang the clothes......

I got to experience two strikes this week - one, at the airport, following which I arrived back in Milan at 3 a.m. in the morning from Rome and now this. I'm not so sure what happened today was absolutely unavoidable. Probably, just the Italian Bureaucracy at its best.

More luck in the future. Hopefully. I'm signing off here. Do write.