We have begun to look for a house, a home and hearth, a castle, a room to call one’s own. So far, not so good. But honestly, that’s what I expected. I expect to look at many houses that are too big, too small, too expensive, too well-used, too gross, and too overwhelming before we find anyplace that we could actually imagine ourselves living. I think this is true anywhere, but it seems to be especially true in Africa. Last time we had to look for a house on this continent, we looked at over 100 houses and it took 2 months of living in Tim and Debbie‘s guest room. I’m hoping for something a bit less painful this time around, but my hopes aren’t high–according to the real estate agent (a profession not known for their honesty), there has recently been an enormous influx of Europeans into this city, and they all want to live in the same area that we do! What a coincidence. When we told one that we wanted to reflect on the apartment he had just shown us, he said, “Yes, take your time, but be quick about it!”
On Thursday, Donn went to look at an apartment. He took Elliot with him (long story; because we were coming home from school with all 3 very heavy backpacks so the twins and I caught a taxi home). It was very dramatic. Oh not the apartment, which only had 2 bedrooms plus had a decomposing rat just out side the kitchen, which I feel is rather off-putting for potential renters of the American persuasion.
On the way back, stopped in traffic, Donn saw someone attack a policeman with a large stick. Yikes! Other cops came running, and it took 3 or 4 to subdue him, in the course of which they all slammed against the car Donn and Elliot were in. Meanwhile, hundreds of people were surrounding the car, angling for a better view of what was going on.
Afterwards, Donn asked Elliot what he thought about what had just happened. Elliot replied thoughtfully, “I’m trying to decide if that was more violent than a Bourne movie.”
Today we saw another apartment, one that actually has some potential, especially if we give up our dream of having a guest room and a garden, and indulge our new dream of a rooftop garden and a teensy tiny view of the sea in the distance, and of making all 3 kids share a tiny room so that I could have that one breezy corner room as my office. It was on the top floor, but the building has, exceptionally, an elevator.
Now elevators don’t usually excite me all that much, but I have to say this one was remarkable. To begin with, it was tiny. 3 of us, Donn and I and the owner, squeezed in. He shut the swinging door to the hall. I expected, when he pressed the button in the pitch black, that another door would slide shut, locking us into the elevator and preventing me from catching my fingers in between floors. Nope. No door. No lights. Just a slow silent swooshing up 4 flights of stairs. I passed the time indulging my morbid imagination and picturing how much fun this would be with curious two-year-old twins, for example.
Tomorrow, we’ll contact someone’s landlord, who might have a place. We’ll see; I’m sure we’ll see lots. I’ll keep you posted.
8 comments
September 14, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Eric Hundin
I found your blog on MSN Search. Nice writing. I will check back to read more.
Eric Hundin
September 14, 2008 at 7:03 pm
LIB
Elliot’s comment about the Bourne movie is TOO FUNNY. The big difference being that what was happening outside his taxi was REAL and unscripted.
I’ll be thinking of you as you house hunt!
September 14, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Mary-LUE
There’s something that happens to you when you are a longtime renter. Even after 14 years (!!!!) in the same house, I always check out For Rent signs on a house. Always.
I hope your description of what you anticipate is not as bad as the reality!
P.S. I know I wasn’t the only person who said she would be willing to send books… Would you consider a book wish list?
September 15, 2008 at 5:14 am
Kit
Good luck finding somewhere nice – I hope it doesn’t take too long.
September 15, 2008 at 8:41 am
TJ Hirst
This experience puts American house hunting into perspective. Maybe we all need to go through, even if only vicariously through you.
September 15, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Beck
Dead rat! EW! EW! I should forward this to a friend who keeps sending me horrified text messages that she’s being shown houses with OAK cupboards.
September 17, 2008 at 11:56 am
All Rileyed Up
My friends bought a house that was inspected and everything and only after they moved in did they discover the place to be INFESTED with mice. They had to tear out even the cabinet lining to clean mouse poop out from under it.
Um…
I’m not sure how that story was supposed to help you.
Good luck!
September 18, 2008 at 9:30 am
Shalee
But think of what a coversation piece that rat would be…
Oh well, your loss. Perhaps you’ll have something equally fascinating to consider as an icebreaker, but if not, at least you’ll have lots of blog fodder.