Movin’ on up!

As is the case in most of Europe, here you are responsible for furnishing your own kitchen- including cabinets and appliances. The only thing that is built into the house is generally a countertop and sink; anything else you want you need to provide.  I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get a small refrigerator, two-burner stove (my family now only has one burner and it’s a pain in the butt!), a small oven (something between a toaster and convection oven- some even have built in rotisseries) and some decent pots and pans.

Aside from the kitchen, there’s not much more that I’ll need to get furniture-wise. There are already two bamboo bench type couch things and a small table.  That leaves me a bed, kitchen table and a few chairs to buy.  I’ve started browsing around local stores trying to get an idea of what prices are, but it’s been more than a little bit frustrating due to the ridiculous “sales tactics” of the store clerks. Mainly, I try to look as quickly as possible while dodging the salesperson who will follow me around the store staring at me and saying “yes ma’am?” despite all assurances that I don’t need any help. The other day I actually had to tell the sales girl to stop following me, that she was making me nervous. There was no visual or vocal response, so I just walked away- but at least she didn’t follow me.

Today when I did a walkthrough with my supervisor, she said that we could just get some of the students to help me move/clean. You know, when they have free time. (sigh) I tried to impress upon her that I didn’t want to pull the students away from school to help me move and that I could really do it myself with no problems. I didn’t mention that I’m not at all comfortable with the idea of having school kids in my home, touching all my stuff and cleaning for me. I’m afraid this is going to be a bit of a battle to do this on my own, but this isn’t a negotiable thing.

Nevertheless, I’m excited about moving.  Here’s hoping that things will be much quieter in my new digs, definitely more peaceful and no feeling of intruding on the family every time I leave my room.