Tuesday, October 1, 2013

anxiety for naught

A thirteen hour flight is manageable with a few items at your disposal and with some luck:  a few vicodine and two glasses of white wine, no one sitting next to you, and hundreds of movies to choose.  The new Star Trek and a perennial favorite, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest took off at least 3+ hours.

Upon arrival in Muscat I waited three hours before a driver showed up and off we went back to Buraimi, another three hours.  The road you turn left off of the coastal road was at one time a two lane carnival ride, a place madhatter drivers try to pass each other in hairpin turns in the mountains required Led Zepplin and supplemental nerve softener that made this trip memorably necessary.  No more.  A four lane divided highway has been built, cutting corners and making the drive very safe and gee, almost boring. 

A three day crash at a dry hotel and I was glad to finally sleep in my own place last night but what a dump though I'll give the dude a month, why, I don't know, such kindness is necessary when the bathroom drains don't work and the air conditioners buzz and rattle.

I cleared the medical test yesterday and proceeded to get the coveted labor card but oh last night I worried and anxiety like I've never known, all because I peed in a cup and combined with serious jet lag left me without a wink.  In God's name all was ok, but sadly all did not go well for the Australian bloke who, in his own words, was a google search away from knowing in this country if you have hepatitis C, you will not be given a labor card.  He has it and off he will return to his country.  Stay well my friend.  I think he knew before he came it could happen but I think he was hoping he could slide past the test. 

So we begin another chapter in a life that sputters along.  Is this it, can I stay here for a while?  If I don't I will have something lined up.  Of course I must have something lined up if I leave, but I don't want to leave.  I have a clean office, most of the students are females and they are easy to manage.  The flat is a disappointment but the door has been left open to look elsewhere.  I think the manager of the building is aware it's a dump.  What to do but still be thankful.  We are.

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