Remarkable Tao

Saturday was the big move and it started off a little shakey. Our movers arrived at 9:30 as scheduled, but could only find parking down the street. This was because another moving van had arrived and parked right infront of our building. These movers were also using our moving elevator! Apparently, the building double booked us.

At least, that's what the OTHER guy claimed (I'm still a little skeptical - our office team is usually very organized). So we took at least 30minutes sorting this out, parking the trucks and fighting for the moving elevator. Because the other guys were there first, they claimed it. But Gary refused to take the 'regular' elevator and lukily, the doorman agreed with us. Whether they double booked or not, it's OUR NAME on the forms. So we got the moving elevator (which is must better as it opens up to the back entrance to the moving room with ramp to truck).

We got more hassle at noon to return the elevators. Again, Gary put his foot down (thank goodness he was there! he's much better at dealing with this than I am). We started a half hour late, we should get the elevator longer. We ended up using it until 12:20, but then we had to give it up. The 12 - 3 movers had arrived for another unit.

But besides the shakey start, the move went very, very well. And our movers were a big part of it. Mr. Tao and his crew were amazing. I think they should be dubbed, Remarkable Tao & Co.

They were also remarkable because they only knew 3 english phrases and we still got along fine.
They arrived and took so much care of our stuff. If we helped them move anything, they told US to "be careful!!" (phrase 1). They thanked me (phrase 2) for everything - opening a door, moving a box out of the way, letting them use the bathroom. And all their hand gestures ended with, 'Okay?'

ha ha - they did speak mandarine, but I had a very hard time understanding. It's not similar to Cantonese at all! They did claim to my mom that they understood me.. but then again, I've always been good with charades. :)