Emundi Markets! Of course. That’s where we’ll find a unique gift with a local flavour. We didn’t but we did find inspiration. Ash Devine is a friend of Jenna and Joel’s and does beautiful work. We called Jenna and set it up, all I had to do was provide some photos. It would be ready Wednesday. The rendezvous was set. We would pick it up on the way to the airport.

 There was just one problem. I hadn’t really checked the dimensions and just assumed. Well I was out, by about two centimetres but it would be significant.

John and I discussed posting it. It would arrive in time but where’s the fun in that. We discussed dismantling it but that seemed a bit extreme. It was settled. I’d take it as far as Munich then maybe post it from there. Of course it had to be babysat on the plane and I was very impressed with the crew for recognizing my dilemma and on each flight volunteering to step up and keep it safe. We arrived in Munich together, safe and sound.

To Erding. The the response I got from a few locals re posting, was off putting. I decided my gift would see more of the world.

While this is a beautiful little town it’s surprisingly… German. Well I know… but it means finding something a bit odd to protect my gift from the harsh realities of travel, presented a conundrum. It had to be more portable, more protected but still obvious as to what it was. I had already been taken aside by ‘border force’ and given a grilling. Well not really. I think she was just bored and curious.

It was raining but my inanimate new friend needed attention. I discovered ‘dm’ ..drogerie markt… a cornucopia of stuff! I was inspired! I bought the packing tape and sized up the gift beside the blue garbage bag the shelf packing staff had attached to their sorting trolley. Throwing caution to the wind and braving provincial distrust of strangers I approached a young person and asked for a blue garbage bag. Of course she was discombobulated. An old woman seemingly reasonably presented begging for a garbage bag! She called her supervisor. A discussion ensued. A shake of the head and a ‘Humph..’ and it was ‘in the bag’.. So to speak.

Back at the hotel I carefully taped and protected my friend’s more vulnerable parts and then worked on creating a carry bag. Swelled with pride with my creativity I immediately shared images with my better half. He responded appropriately…luckily!

Our first test..tomorrow… to Baku!