Having written at least three “catchup” posts which are in various stages of completion, maybe this one will be published before it self-destructs.

Patience.

Remember when I said one of the reasons for moving to another country, out of my comfort zone, was to learn to be patient? Well, my patience is stretched to the limits everyday. Never ask for something unless you really know you want it. Starting with move-in day, photos are far better than words. However, let me set the stage.

The apartment is in a 15th century building almost in the center of the historic district of Uzes. As most residences here, the ground floor doesn’t count so the floors start on two (etage 2). My apartment is on etage 3. All in all, there are 55 steps from the ground floor.

Now imagine “two men and a truck” carrying two 7′ x 5′ armoires; two 4’x3′ Victorian chests (one with a marble top — detachable, thank goodness!); a 36″ round table; and four chairs up the steps and spiral staircase. The good news? The armoires could be disassembled. Nevertheless!

What’s so hard about this?

Hauling furniture up the winding steps to the “tower”

At last!

Now imagine another “two men and a truck” crew arriving with a king-size bed mattress.  A feat of imagination, ingenuity, and brawn. One of the men, after the third climb to the top, nicknamed the apartment “the ascension.”