Well, once again it is always better not to say anything until it is definitely happening.
As someone very close to us observed we are waiting for God to grant us his/her favour; and it certainly feels like it.
Our allusive package, the same one that has been giving us so much hassle is now held up at the DHL office here in Las Palmas!
Yesterday we spent a while trying to find out what was going on and when we did finally get through to their help line, with help of one of our friends here (who speak Spanish) they informed us that they were wishing to get in touch as there was a problem with the information on the package and by the way a 210 euros payment was required – to release the parcel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (The phone itself only cost us 400 euros, we paid for the DHL delivery, once again – how is this possible?!).
We then spent a huge amount of time trying to convince them that as a yacht in transit surely we shouldn’t need to pay this tax.. Eventually, after speaking to many people (was it 7, 8?) we were again, finally (clearly the word of this post) passed on to a supervisor (presumably), who bargained us down to a 100 euro pick-up fee. What could we do? But this does not feel or sound right. Bargaining for the fee? With DHL? And how easy it was to reduce the 210 euro fee down to 100 euros? All very odd but we are now getting quite desperate to leave this place and head on and this package is the only thing (and the wind) preventing us from going,and so we agreed to the 100 euro fee ( better anyway than 210).
So, with all likelihood we will now finally, finally receive our satellite phone tomorrow! But for once let me not get ahead of myself – let’s see.
As it happens the wind has (surprisingly for this time of year) changed directions (to an unfavourable one for us) and is forecasted to remain in this direction until the weekend so either way we will be staying here until it changes back around.
Las Palmas feels like a hole that sucks you in and only if you are fully prepared or have the strength to dig yourself out are you able (allowed?) to leave. There are several boats here who planned to leave but found themselves stuck, some for years. A scary thought, though I don’t dislike it here I do however now really wish to leave!
So, all I can say is that we will be leaving soon enough, when the Gods give us their ( his / her – however the word God works, or does not, for you) – give us their / his/ her/ blessing and favour.
Perhaps this weekend?
Here in the meantime are a few photos of the girls helping to prepare all our produce for the journey:..
Rather a lot of food!
