We made it back. After two trips for both Honey and I, and one additional trip for just me, we have gotten all of our possessions and belongings back to the States. We needed that many trips to get everything back due to restrictions by the airlines regarding the number of check-in items we were allowed per flight. We have an apartment in New Tampa, an area north of Tampa that is growing leaps and bounds. We are excited about our new living space and are anxious to get moved in. Just waiting for maintenance to do their thing following the previous tenant's move out. We will be in by mid-February, at the latest.
Honey and I spent a week in Tampa in Mid-January to search out and secure an apartment, to buy furniture and household items in addition to a car, and locate a storage unit. Wow, what a whirlwind seven days that was. But we got most of it accomplished.
We left the DR, for good, on January 26th even though we could not get into our apartment until February 14th. Honey's parents have been gracious and kind enough to allow us to be house guests for those two weeks.
Honey has started sending out resumes. We anticipate that she will be a member of the working class again very shortly. If anyone knows of a firm or company in this area that needs a great administraive assistant, or executive secretary, or legal assistant please let them know there is a great one here looking for a job.
Here is an interesting thought. There is absolutely no reason or rhyme as to what an airline charges for excess baggage. Leaving the DR, we were told the first check-in bag was free, the second was a nominal charge, and bags three through five were large fees. In actuality, they charged something different each time we flew - all three trips. No matter how we calculated, we could not figure out why they charged what they charged. We just knew it was less than what we anticipated. In addition to that, bags over 50 pounds have an additional charge. Guess what? that happened only once. The first two trips, the airlines did not even weigh the baggage. We could never figure out what to anticipate.
Besides that, what TSA checked varied each time also. Twice they opened boxes in Miami, but not the third time. Twice they opened and rummaged through carry-on luggage, but not the third time. Everyone has to remove their shoes? Not true. The last time coming through Miami, we had to remove shoes, but the family behind us had children that did not. Not infants, buts kids in the 12 - 14 years old range. Go figure. We had an item in our carry-on that TSA allowed once, but the second time they confiscated it.
Each trip was about a three hour flight time, but took ten hours each time. All I can you is that we are finished with flying for a very long time.
We are now just finishing up some shopping that is needed so we can set up our household again. We also spent yesterday just playing. There is so much to see and do in the Tampa/St Pete area that we are excited about. I will definitely continue to post as we explore and discover and visit places and things. I will also get photos of interesting places to post.
AH, life is good again.
