Tears

I haven't posted anything in awhile because I still don't have wifi at my house. I've written a few short posts on my laptop, so they'll get posted on the blog eventually. Today, however, I am writing this on my phone so I can post it. Because something significant happened today: for the first time since I moved to the island, I cried.

I can't go in to all the background information, which, trust me, is more than reasonable grounds for a few tears, but the gist of it is this: I have been looking for a car since I arrived on the island in mid-November. I finally found one at dealership in Guam and negotiated a good price that included shipping the car to Saipan (about 150 miles). At the time that we settled the deal, the salesman told me that he could get the car to me on Dec. 24, which was about a week later. Obviously, that didn't happen. Then he gave me another date: December 31. Again, the car never left Guam. This happened four times. Each time, he assured me it would be here, and each time, I relied on that in arranging rides to work, holding off on grocery shopping and taking my laundry in, etc. After the fourth time, I was ready to cancel the whole deal (which sucked because it was a damn good deal). 

I sent an email basically saying that either they rent a car for me until my car arrives or cancel the sale. Fortunately, this got the attention of the owner of the dealership, who immediately called me to apologize and started working her butt off to get the car here. (Turns out, the salesman was new and never asked for help.) The owner was very professional and I immediately felt better after talking to her. She assured me that she would do everything in her (well-connected) power to make sure I get this car on the next shipment, Jan. 14.

Then today, Jan. 13, arrives, and I don't hear from her all day. I tried calling the dealership and her cell phone. I tried emailing and texting. Nothing. 

Finally, around 4:00 this afternoon, she called. I asked if the car would be here tomorrow. She wouldn't give me a straight answer. Or couldn't. I didn't know, but whatever her reason, I just couldn't take it anymore. She said she'd call back when she had the bill of lading. 

An hour or so later, and after I'd sent text messages telling her that I was basically losing faith in humanity because of this experience (btw, it SUCKS not having a car here, but that's another post altogether), she finally called back. Yes, the car would ship tomorrow. No, the car will not arrive tomorrow. (This was around the time I started crying). But it will arrive on Friday, the 15th. For sure, barring an act of God. And she had proof: the bill of lading. (This is when I stopped crying).

I realize this story is not particularly interesting, but it will make more sense when I provide more context. And I will, in a highly anticipated (by my single digit followers) post on the difficulties of moving to a tropical island. Yes, there are some. Consider this a preview.

And, in case you're wondering, I bought a 2011 sage green Suburu Forrester with AWD, zero problems, mechanical or otherwise, and 24,000 miles on it. It's not the Mercedes I sold before I moved here, but it's exactly what I need. Here is a photo:

More posts to come, whenever I get wifi (in and of itself a harrowing story).