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girlawhirl's doing an apartment swap These ground rules will keep it simple
Jun 2, 2008
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Girlawhirl's decided to take the plunge into alternative vacationing this summer by participating in a three-way apartment swap with two friends. While romantic thoughts – a la The Holiday – drift through their heads, they've decided to set a few ground rules to keep things simple… Since they're all friends, and intend to remain so, there's no need to lay down the law, but since one of the three has been known to enjoy a cigarette every now and then, a few “house rules” are in order.
• Everyone's making a list of absolutes: what must be done (lock the French doors leading to the balcony, which can be accessed from the alley behind the building), and what's not allowed (smoking in the bedroom).
• Each host has been informed of arrival and departure times for their guest, and all have agreed to schedule a cleaning after the guest departs. That way no one feels they have to get sheets and towels washed, beds made and floors swept up before they go – or when they get home.
• They've made a plan for key exchanges, whether it's leaving them with a doorman, neighbor or having them delivered beforehand. If the pick up is with a neighbor, a phone number has also been provided to prevent any meltdowns, and to allow the keeper of the key the ability to run out and do an errand if necessary. And said neighbor, doorman or another nearby friend has been informed of the arrangement and asked to be on call in case of an apartment emergency.
• They've left notes detailing the following types of information: -When the garbage is picked up, recycling days and the rules associated with them -Quick fixes or preventative medicine: not to run the dishwasher when someone's showering, or don't run the microwave and blender at the same time or a fuse is sure to blow. (And if it's a really old apartment, they've left spare glass fuses and a flashlight right there, on the counter). -Additional household specifics, especially when the care of pets is involved
• Girlawhirl's going just a little bit further for her guest. She's put extra sheets and towels in a basket on the foot of her bed (mostly because the closet in her tiny apartment is so full that she's not sure her guest would find them!). In addition she's leaving a short list of the best neighborhood spots: the café that makes the best cappuccino, where to stop for a gourmet-deli, bring-it-home dinner and other specialties. And of course her favorite pizza and Chinese delivery numbers are on the fridge. She's even leaving a “just in case you get turned around” card for her guest, with the address of her apartment and the phone number of that friendly neighbor on it.
On the other end, Girlawhirl aims to leave her friend's place a little nicer than she found it – remembering that once a Super Pal spent a week in another friend's mountain home and built a fire pit as a project and a thank you. While she has no intentions of hitting the local Home Depot, a lovely bottle of red or a gift certificate from a nearby shop – perhaps one that was recommended by her host as one she shouldn't miss – and goodies for weary travelers to snack on when they get home are all part of her plan. She might even leave a batch of her famous carrot muffins in the freezer.
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