Cretan Diary - Chapter 10 | |||
Bills, Papers and Rubber Stamps (Jenny)Jenny's version! Monday, September 23, 2009 We knew we had to get a Residence Permit before we could buy a car. Unfortunately, Mike, with his knack of doing things backwards found a car he wanted before we had started collecting the relevant paperwork. That was on Monday. Tuesday, early we went to the local photographer's to get passport sized photographs done. The shop was closed. Mike asked at the shop opposite and was told the photographer's new baby dictated opening hours and no one knew when the shop would next be open. OK. We shelved that idea for the time being. We got in touch with Georgios who wanted to see us to present us with lots of bills to be paid, great. I was given a huge file with all the documents relating to the purchase of the land and building of our house. Not needed at present, but useful if, or when we sell the house in the future. We were also given the telephone details which needed to be changed into our name, but could not be done until we had the permit from the police. The only bill we got was the water bill ¤34.44 not bad. Georgios told us that as well as the photographs we needed to take to the police station our tax registration forms and proof of ownership of the house, all of which he had just given us. The shops in the city re-open at 6pm for 3 hours and he advised us to go that evening. We could get the photos taken and attend to some other jobs, all within 100 metres of the car park. Even we couldn't get lost. However Georgio doesn't trust us so he said he'd meet us at the car park and direct us to the right shops, which he did. One strange thing: when we went to the photographers and asked for photographs for passports, we were asked, "Which country?" That has never happened before. Maybe we looked like illegal immigrants.
Thursday - We went to the bank to draw out the money for the car we can't buy yet. I drove into the city and back and Mike nearly ruptured himself with the effort of not screaming. Friday morning I had to set the alarm, as our appointment with the police was for 8.30am. Duly we presented ourselves and our photocopies and forms. Unfortunately we had forgotten to photocopy the new form so we were sent away again, with another appointment for 11am. On the way back to the car we stopped to pay the phone bill. The phone company rang us up the other evening demanding money with menaces. Ooops. The Internet is working, and we can receive calls, but can't make them, perhaps that is why. We did not have a bill, but gave them our phone number and they produced a bill for ¤152.00. We didn't have the permit so could not change the phone to our name. We phoned Georgio, who was worried about the delay with the police and said we could meet his brother in town with our tax forms and house documents and he would sort out the phone company for us. Of course we no longer had the tax forms and house contract on us, but never mind, we had to go home to finish the photocopying anyway. I am sure Georgio's brother was very helpful, and we are grateful, but after he had 'sorted things out' another bill was produced for ¤124.50! Hmm. The first was the connection charge, the second was the monthly rental and broadband since June. We waved goodbye to Georgio's brother and went to pay the water bill without his help, and we didn't have to pay any extra. It was nearly time for our third appointment with the police so off we trotted down the hill. It looked like break time at the police station, four hunky men in uniform were standing outside, eating, drinking and smoking. We went inside and were asked to wait outside while some ruffians were dealt with inside. This was no hardship. The young policemen kept us entertained after giving up their seats to us. If we got tired of looking at them (as if) there were the mountains to stare at. The policemen all carried guns and it was a bit strange to sit so close to them while they acted the fool with each other. One had a vicious looking knife, which his mate admired, then tried to steal! Mike offered a swap for his Swiss army knife. Then an angry, older policeman came out and shouted at one of the young men, who went to his car and came back wearing rubber gloves. Two of them disappeared to an inner room with one of the ruffians, and I swear I heard a high pitched scream. Meanwhile my papers were being processed by a woman police officer. She called me inside to verify the details as a young man was led out in handcuffs prior to being bundled into a car with 4 policemen to guard him. The others all followed in a second car. Goodness knows what he had done! It was very quiet then, and not so much fun, although it was nice and warm. At last we got our Residence Permits, which are permanent, good. Now we can buy that car. Firstly we had to go and see the hire car people to investigate the reason for the engine warning light being on, and to ask nicely for a wiper blade for the passenger side, as they forgot to put one on the windscreen wiper before giving us the car. That sorted, and the car newly washed (apparently we were giving them a bad name driving round in a mucky car) we set off to see if Mike could remember where he had seen the car he wanted. He could! Buying a car is a strange business in Greece. We had to hand over our new permits and passports for photocopying, and more forms were filled in. Then we were driven off in a showroom car to the notary public, who compared our faces with that on permit and passport then rubber stamped all the forms and we all signed them again. There was one sticky moment when the notary protested that two of the photos didn't match, but the nice man from the showroom pointed out that one was of Mike, and the other one was of me. Now we can buy the car. Work will start on it now and we can collect it next Friday. We asked about insurance. "I'll give you a call when you pick the car up". None of this getting it insured before you can drive it away nonsense. | |||
