So, I was under contract for the future home of Crespaço! I started drawing layouts on graph paper, consulting various professionals, talking to people in the community, and working on a business plan (yes, I bought the building before doing this- my gut told me the horse would catch up to the cart). The floor plan evolved and changed as I considered my overall plan and learned more about the needs of artists and the community.
At the same time, I started getting emails saying my ship was coming in- literally! I had sent five (yes, five) crates with the last of my earthly belongings from the U.S. in March.
I expected them to arrive relatively soon after I did, but alas, that didn’t happen thanks to its departure port shutting down for a month. The week before closing I finally got the coveted update saying my pallets were on a truck from Rotterdam and headed my way. The movers I’d hired to schlep everything from the parking garage up to my flat could bring the things that needed to go to Crespaço over there directly- perfect!
But then…
Bemoaning Portuguese bureaucracy is a favorite pastime, especially in the expat Facebook groups. Since I’m from New York, and apparently lucky, I didn’t really get it. Until now. I had been lighting candles and dancing in my living room to appease the Banking Deities, in hopes of hastening the painfully slow-moving funds transfer that I needed for the building purchase that week, along with some cursing. This was followed by a lot of crying over my bank balance on the other side of the Currency Exchange Funnel. Still, it was there, just in time.
Then my agent called.
Turns out, we had plenty of time. So much time in fact, that the exchange rate improved. But the money was already converted. The fact I don’t have a crystal ball helped stave off a second round of Funnel induced tears. It was a close call though. Anyway, my agent said the sellers were still waiting on a document from the city. Okay, no worries. There’s time.
Several weeks went by and we started getting the story in little dribbles. Whoever was in charge of the document accidentally drew up the paperwork for part of the building, instead of the whole thing. Then they went on vacation. Another week or so later, we were told this person would sign the paper when they got back on the following Monday. My agent booked the notaría with all of our fingers crossed. Great!
Nope. Now three other people needed to sign the paper. With August looming, apparently everyone slides into sloth mode, especially under the record breaking heat. “Augh!” I exclaimed in frustration to my agent. I explained my shipment was due that week and I had hoped to close before it arrived, so I wouldn’t have extraneous boxes camped in my living room and could avoid having to pay to move them twice. “Ah, ok” she said, “Let me see.”
She called back later and said “Okay, the seller will meet you there on Wednesday and give you the keys.” What?!?
A lot of expats roll their eyes, and some even get angry, at the mere mention of the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun.” We’re not getting into that. But you know the scene where Francis stands dumbfounded as she’s handed the keys to her house? “Before the paperwork is done? Just like that?” she asks. “Its a house- what are you going to do, steal it?” she’s told with a shrug and hand wave. I met the seller at the building that Wednesday. And he gave me the keys, just like that. He also gave me the grand tour, showing me how to operate various things throughout the building. He apologized for his wife not being there, and we hugged.
I’m incredibly grateful to the seller for his kindness. Here we are, still waiting to close. His lawyer is camped at city hall to keep things moving. In the meantime, the movers were able to deliver the boxes without an expensive detour to my flat. I’ve been able to do walk-throughs with a parade of various contractors to get estimates for the renovations, so when we do close the work will be scheduled to start right away. I’ve had more conversations leading to new ideas and information about important details I hadn’t thought of from people interested in using the space. And if you’ve ever designed a layout before, you know things may line up pretty on paper, but not work at all in real life. This time has allowed me to think more deeply about the space and how best to use it- while actually in it, instead of just on paper. Which isn’t the same at all.
What are you moving from paper to life this week? I’d love to hear about it- please let me know in the comments!
I anticipated a sad story but it had a fairytale ending complete with Luna’s approving smile! Congrats! Can’t wait to see it in full swing!!