moving in

Bartek and Piotr graciously agreed to go to IKEA with me on Saturday July 14th (the day after I got my keys). They are currently living in a temporary furnished apartment, so it was kind of a scouting trip for them. Thank goodness they were there with me. I could have never lifted all the heavy boxes and pushed both carts that I loaded down with purchases. Piotr then drove the van I rented back (because he really misses driving and because it was a manual, which I was not up to driving).

Lise met us at my apartment when we got back. Again, I cannot thank the three of them enough. We carried all the heavy boxes up all the stairs (no elevator). What a workout!! While Piotr and I drove the van back to IKEA, Lise and Bartek got started on putting furniture together.

Thanks to all the help we had a couch, bed, two end tables, dresser, and wardrobe put together by about 11pm. Lise left a little after 10pm to catch the train back to Basel. Me and the guys celebrated our accomplishments of the day by drinking a beer on the roof. It was a great end to a busy busy day. Here are some pictures while the furniture building was in process:

My shipment from the US was delivered on Monday morning. The mover arrived 15 minutes early and we had everything in the apartment and unpacked in about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, I need to do some rearranging in order to make all my clothes that I sent over fit into the wardrobe/dresser/drawers underneath the bed.

I still have some things to buy (plates, silverware, and corkscrew are high on the list), still have some things to put together (bookshelf), still have some things to hang (light fixtures most importantly); but all in all, I'm in the apartment and finally able to get settled!