Fortunately, Vicky was adept at both carrying the heavier box across the street where we got a cab, and putting the thing together once we got it home. After she left I thought I'd try putting together the chair on my own. But as it turns out, the chair package was missing a crucial part. So I'm going to have to take it back and explain the problem. That should be fun.
The next day it rains all day, and I can't face dragging this box down the street, so I decide to wait until Thursday. On Thursday I attempted to get the box into the elevator, only to have it fall apart. I realized I couldn't manage it on my own. I had plans to see Tatiana on Friday, so maybe she could take it in her car. I thought I'd take care of some other business, and went to the Post Office to pay my electric bill. The lady at the counter told me she couldn't do it today, that I should come back the following day.
So I return on Friday, and she tells me that yesterday was the deadline and I now owe a penalty fee. But I was here yesterday and you told me to come back today! She had no memory of this. Deep breath, ok, it's only money, these things happen. I stumble upon the Friday Market (there's a market of produce, household items and clothing every day in a different part of town), which I never knew was in my neighborhood. I bought some fresh broccoli, leeks, and curry powder (the stores tend to carry only cumin) and felt I had at least accomplished something.
When I got home I called Tatiana, and it turns out she's busy until about 4:30, and then her 5 year old daughter, Berivan, will be coming home with a friend. So I can visit her but she can't go out. Okay, no returning the chair today. So I decided to go to the beach for a couple of hours on the way to see Tatiana. It was the first thing I did right all week. The water was beautiful and I had a great swim. It reminded me why putting up with all these hassles is worth it. Note to friends planning to visit: October is the best time of year. The temperature is around 80 and the sea is warm from the long hot summer.
When I finished swimming I saw a text message from my friend Mahsun. "I found you a job" he wrote. Great, he must have found me a student. My good mood restored, I went to see Tatiana. Berivan and her friend dressed up in Disney princess costumes and were just adorable, but unfortunately Berivan doesn't like to have her picture taken.
I walked home feeling proud of myself for turning an annoying day into a nice one, only to find that my internet had disappeared. The signal was there, but it wasn't letting me on my own network. It asked for my password, but it wouldn't accept it. I started messing around with network diagnostics and stupidly followed the instruction to reset my modem. I guess I'd forgotten what "reset" means. It means, of course, that now the whole network and signal are gone and have to be set up again, which we've already established I can't do without a PC. Deep breath. I call Mahsun to find out about the "job" and it turns out he had the brilliant idea that I should open a laundrymat. Um, what?
First thing Saturday morning I go to TTnet, and they tell me Ahmet will come to my house to fix it. Eventually he does, and charges 20 TL for the service call. Oh well, it's only money. (This has become my mantra.) As soon as he leaves, the signal and network disappear again. I race down to the street to catch him but I don't, so I continue jogging to the TTnet office, where I explain that yes, Ahmet came, but no, I don't have internet. They say he'll come again. I go home, and internet has magically reappeared. So I call and let Ahmet know. A few minutes later, the TTnet error page comes up (the one I kept getting when trying to set up the network), so I call Ahmet again. While we are talking, the problem resolves itself and internet is restored. So there you have it- a whole week of two steps forward, one step back. Or is it only one forward and one back? I'm not sure yet.
