The story of a box that was almost an allegory

Screwing some of the boards together

We decided to bring some things over with us in a large wooden box. Books, toys for the children and kitchen things are mostly what filled this large homemade crate. LaRae's father and I worked on building the crate or lift van in New Mexico. We made the bottom and the top, then put the bottom in the back of his pick-up truck and build the rest of it while in the back of the truck.

In the back of the truck

LaRae's dad is in the process of building his house and has quite a bit of experience in building. I like to help where I can, but don't count myself as knowing a whole lot so was happy to be able to have someone who knew what they were doing at the head of the project. The box took shape and in no time it was finished and ready for us to start to put our cardboard boxes inside. Thankfully the movers who packed us up in Beirut gave us some nice new boxes, so the packing was a bit easier and looked a lot better. :)

Filling up with stuff

We drove the box out to California, as it was cheaper for us to send it from Los Angeles than to have the company pick it up from the house in New Mexico. It was also a nice excuse to see friends from our time in Beirut, Loma Linda, etc. We also were able to connect with extended family. It is always nice when you can fit in many things into one trip.

Taking the box to the shipping company was an experience. The company's warehouse is in Compton, all I could think about was the gang warfare and other unsavory things that I had heard about from Compton. The closer we got to the warehouse the more we knew we were in the right place as so many trucks were around us with shipping containers on them. Thankfully we were in the business area of Compton and all we had to worry about was to stay clear of the big trucks and not the gangs.

Getting ready to put it on the truck in Cali

Our lift van stayed in LA for a bit then traveled all over the place to finally arrive in Dakar. We were in Dakar for a few weeks before it arrived in the port. We were excited to hear about its arrival and were in contact with a company to help us get it out of the port. One fine day they said that it was cleared and that it would be delivered that day. We had decided to put our things out in the country where our friend, Sister Deborah, has property.

On the truck and ready to go to the port

So we left where we are staying in Dakar and drove in a borrowed car out to the property. We waited all day long in anticipation of the arrival of the box with all of our things. Sadly it did not come. When we called we found that there was a small problem with customs. So we waited, and called every little bit to find out if it was free or not from customs only to find out that it still needed more time. Then one day we had the joyous call that it had cleared customs and that we just had to pay. So early one Monday morning we went down and payed money that we didn't really want to part with to the company for their services and to deliver the box. We learned that the box would be delivered that day so after paying we went again to the country to wait.

Clean bathroom!

The truck with our box

Looking at the job at hand

In order to go and wait in the country we had to drive out there. Normally from where we are living in Dakar it is not too difficult. But from the warehouse it turned out to be a different story. We thought we could find an on ramp to the new toll road and drive comfortably out to the village. Sadly we didn't find an on ramp to the toll road, only congested roads and an angry police officer when we made an illegal turn. Not finding an onramp we drove down the old Rufisque road, not a happy choice as it is congested and slow, but the only choice we had. We thought that there would be another chance to enter the toll road. When we saw signs to the toll road we took a left and drove through some lovely garden areas only to find that the on ramps were not open for the way we needed to go. So back again to the old road all the way to the village.

Working with the pallet jack

Yet again something happened and the box was not delivered. We had a nice, pleasant stay in the village, but had to return to the city. Thankfully this time the on ramps were in our favor and we were able to get on the toll road without any problems. Almost home little L decided that she needed to use the facilities. It just so happened that we were near a toll station and there was a nice bathroom available. We pulled in and tried out the bathrooms, much to our joy they were clean and well taken care of! The previous trip to the village we had stopped at a gas station with a similar errand and found the facilities to be less than desirable. There are silver linings to every journey.

Getting there

Then the next day we got the news mid morning that the liftvan had left the warehouse! There was just one slight problem, Sister Deborah had her car with her at work. How were we do drive out there? We texted and called all to no avail. We packed up what we would need for the day and waited hoping that she would message us. Then we saw her drive up and we knew we were saved. We quickly loaded up and drove off to the village.

Finally on the ground

Throughout the trip we were looking for the truck with our box, but since the truck had a 30 minute start on us we didn't see it on the road. Boaz's stomach was in knots with questions whether it really would be there or not. Wouldn't you know it as we drove in there was no truck at the house. But much to our relief within a few minutes an old blue Renault truck drove into sight. The gates for the compound were opened and the truck drove in. With some difficulty the truck drove into place and the back gate was opened. There was our box! Then the questions started to form in our heads, where was the crane that
was promised? This was a closed in truck. How were they going to get it out? Where was the forklift? The box had been taken off the truck in California by a real forklift and almost tipped it over with all it's weight. So?

Finally in place

A humble pallet jack was brought forth and inserted under the box. Very little room was available between the top of the box and the bottom of the roof of the truck. But with much effort the box started to move. Finally the box was at the door of the truck and then it moved out. There was a lip at the door that would catch on the wheels of the

Emptying the box

pallet jack causing untold problems and much conversation in Wolof. The box was then finally balanced half in and half out on the hydraulic lift that makes up the back door. Sadly the hydraulic lift was not in good shape and was not able to stay up with the weight of the box on it. Rocks and wood was placed under the feet of the box to help with leverage. Then these same items got stuck under the box and more confusion ensued. Finally with the last rock under the box gave way and the box fell out of the
truck, thankfully it landed on some blocks we had put in place and thankfully it did not crush the truck driver who caught the corner of the box with his hand.

Hopefully safe from termites

We placed blocks under the corners of the box 9with help of the car jack) and said good bye to the truck. Then we ate some lunch and offloaded our things into a small guest room. We did this so that the local termites would not get the chance to eat our things while we were gone to the south to pick up little Lika. We were glad that everything seemed to be in place and in good shape for the most part. We look forward to having our own place where we can properly unpack and start our new life here in Senegal.

~~Boaz