New Digs
We finally moved from the Staff House into our own apartments. While the laundry service, cooked meals and cleaning crew had been a nice perk, we’re not shedding any tears about leaving the dorm life behind.
At the end of June, I had casually mentioned to a friend I play soccer with—a Lebanese guy who is the accountant for the local grocery/hardware/electronics/whatever-container-fell-off-the-ship store—that we were looking for an apartment. He actually knew of a few places and gave me the number for one of the landlords.
“It’s a nice place, a few blocks away. Clean. Hot water. There’s a billiard table and games.”
Billiards? Games? Yeah, right.
I took the number.
The next day around lunchtime I was all set to call this landlord when my phone rang. It was Kelli: “Paulino is taking us to look at apartments today! You want to come?”
Crazy. After eight months of asking and pleading (begging?) for our own place, we were finally going to look at apartments! Somehow by just asking around and putting the intention out there, we were finally seeing some movement.
We drove over to the first place, which was on one of our favorite streets. When we stepped through the locked gate, everything seemed OK, but after opening the front door, our hearts sank: dirty, dark, no furniture, no appliances.
Ah man … maybe this is going to be harder than we thought. Maybe the next place will be better?
As were heading back to the truck, I looked at Paulino:
– Hey, Paulino. Do you know someone named Jorge Castro? He used to work at Chevron? I guess he has a few apartments for rent.
Hmm. Jorge Castro? YEEEeesssss. I know Jorge Castro! Let’s go!
Whoa wait … What? Kelli and I looked at each other. Don’t you think we should call him first? Maybe ask about the place before just showing up at his door?
Three minutes later we were pulling into Jorge’s parking lot, ten minutes later we were slapping our foreheads at the billiards table (yes billiards!),1 and twenty minutes later we were on our way back to the Staff House knowing we had just found our apartments.
Two apartments, over six bedrooms, five bathrooms or something like that … It’s probably too much space for the three of us, but at this point we’re not going to be picky. They’re in a safe neighborhood, clean, fully equipped with pretty much everything we need, and they have water and electricity 24/7. Plus the two apartments together cost $1000 less than the two bedroom place the program had in Luanda.
That said, they’re not without their charms.
Upon closer examination our place is a bit on the run-down side with dirty, stained tiles, creaky doors and bathrooms that are rather … erm … fragrant.
Downstairs, Sarah has had to deal with electrical bursts, power outages and clogged sinks. She’s also been having an ongoing battle with cockroaches the size of rabbits.
But Jorge and crew live on the premises and they’ve been remarkably responsive to any of our problems.
We finally feel like we’re part of Cabinda, shopping, cooking and cleaning for ourselves. Cockroaches and strange smells are just part of the deal. And we’re just fine with that.2
Click on any image to zoom. Use arrows to navigate.
Thanks for the photos and your comments. Makes me kinda know what you’re going thru (and then again). The apartment looks big and charming in it’s own style. Even with the character stuff you mentioned. I l think I like your “office” the best and the view of sunset in the morning.
Talk later I hope.
Love, your mutti.
Pingback: fires and linen | Crab Sandwich
Pingback: Olympic Village | Crab Sandwich