Here I am. You’d think after so much planning and preparation it would have been more climactic. Arrival here was quite uneventful, a quiet dinner with friends, and a few formalities. Though I’d been in country 3 days before actually arriving here, jet lag seemed to hit me late. It didn’t hit me until about the 4th day and came with a vengeance. Feeling a bit under the weather and tired from jet lag, I endeavored to tackle one major task a day.
Day 1. I registered with the police. One sheet of paper, a signature, and a stamp is all I needed. 5 minutes worth of work. 4 different offices, a slew of people, and 90 minutes later I got my coveted registration card. I was official. I went and took a nap. I got a haircut and a shave and got ripped off; probably paid double what I should. Thank you, Mr. Barber for welcoming me so kindly.
Day 2. I took my registration to my school and got a key to the dorm I’ll be staying in for about a month. After moving my things in I decided it was time for another nap. Jet lag had a mind of its own and kept me from real sleep. A friend woke me up to let me know about a ‘rummage sale’ of sorts. An expat family was leaving and giving away or selling most of their belongings. I walked into a complete stranger’s apartment and began rummaging through books, clothes, and piles of kitchen utensils in a half-asleep-stupor. “Who’s house is this?” I kept asking. Thirty minutes later I finally met the wife. She was nice. She gave me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I walked out with a stack of books including one by my favorite author, Chaim Potok. I also got a few ties and shirts. Whoever that guy was, he had good taste in clothes and books. I’m bummed he’s leaving because I think we could have been good friends.
Day 3. I submitted my application to the university I’ll be studying at. That really tired me out so I went back to my room to catch a nap. Then. My bed collapsed. Thankfully there was another bed in the room. Then. It collapsed too. Classic. I’m a big guy. I didn’t think I was that big. To my credit, they are crappy beds to begin with. I asked for a new one.
Day 4. I called my local friend. Since I didn’t tell him I was coming, he was surprised to hear from me. “Wow! I will come and see you and then I will hold you.” I think he meant ‘hug’. On a subsequent phone call he called me ‘darling’. I have made it my goal to help him use English slang and idioms more correctly. Still sleeping on the floor. I predict my new bed will arrive just in time for me to move out in July.