"If this were easy" part 27

or, the saga of the Happy Hasher  (Michelle's term for this adventure.)

In January we received several bulk orders of Spikenard and sold almost all we have, We wrote our supplier here, before, and don't want to change sources, so we knew there might be a wait. Communications in the mountains of Nepal can be sketchy, at best.)

Freshly harvested Spikenard Root

producer requesting more.  (We've written about him

Early in February we heard from him, that he was in the States, receiving an award. (He still hasn't shared the details of that!)   And would be distilling our Spikenard upon his return to Nepal.

On February 12th he sent our invoice, for the Spikenard, and some other oils.  We made the international transfer (being warned by our bank that "Nepal is a 'slow pay country' and the transfer could be delayed.)

On Feb 15th he told us he was still in the mountains, distilling our oils, and hoped to ship them in two weeks.

 On March 3rd we were told of an electrical breakdown at the distilling site in the mountains, and that the oils should ship in another two weeks.

On March 13th,

Dear Marge,

I'm extremely sorry for the delay. Finally your oils has been picked by DHL. They will leave Nepal tomorrow. Hopefully towards the end of this week you will receive your oils.  I will send you the tracking number tomorrow.  By the way I was only able to distill 9.8 KG of Spikenard. I owe you 0.2 KG. I will add this in the next coming shipment. 

Best!

Kailash

APPLAUSE!

On March 19th:

Dear Marge,

I am so sorry. DHL picked up your goods on March 13, 2018 and now its on hold. Some drug lord tried to ship hashish the same day by DHL and the person was caught. Since then all inbound and outbound shipment of DHL has been stopped by the Narcotics Division. It is very very sad. We are hoping this will be sorted out soon and you will receive your oils.

This is totally unforeseen situation and its not in my control. Please find the attached shipment tracking record.

Sincerely,

Kailash

HASHISH????   

Much correspondence back and forth. We are not Kailash's only client and he had a LOT of orders 'on hold' We were all concerned that either the oils might never be returned to him, but impounded forever, or that they might all be opened and contaminated.

Finally, on March 22nd the shipments were all returned to him.  But on March 26th he wrote:

Dear Marge,

The oils are still under inspection and are being tested by the Department of Plants. Hopefully, we will get the papers by Friday and then it will be shipped to you.

Thank you for your patience and kind cooperation.

Best regards

Kailash Dixit

On April 5th, 
Dear Marge,

Attached is your shipping details of the oil. The oils were sent on Sunday. It should reach you soon.

Also note that DHL Nepal has been suspended from carrying on any further business.

We are really sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Have a beautiful day.

Best regards

The tracking number, with a shipping service in the United Kingdom that I have never heard of, does not bring up any record, but I am assured we will have the oils early this week.

Hashish?  Narcotics Division? Department of Plants? DHL is suspended from doing business in Nepal?  oh.  just... oh.

Our Spikenard and Palma Rosa have had a very adventurous journey!