Will I ever have access to the internet? There is no access at the office. They have ordered it but Omanis work on Omani time. Much like island time. There is DSL access at the house, but it is not hooked up/worked out yet. So in the mean time Eric got a little portable SIM card modem thing that plugs into a USB port. Now he and Val can use their laptops with it at home, but not me! When I plug it in my computer says I need a driver- click here to download! Of course I can’t download it; I can’t get online! Eric keeps saying he’ll bring one of those flash stick thingies home from the office so he can load it on there for me but he has not yet done it because they’re 6 year old son has been very sick. He has spent the last 3 days in the hospital on IV fluids and antibiotics. Severe diarrhea with stomach cramps. The lab results come back today. They think salmonella. Even when I can get online here at the house with my laptop I’ll still be sharing that modem thingie with Eric and Val and since they paid for it they keep it upstairs. I’ve read in the guide book that there are wireless locations scattered throughout the city. It gives a website to find out where. Sigh. Anyway, that is why I have not written to anyone. I have only managed to get online a few times since getting here and I always have to hurry.
Another issue is I don’t have a car yet so I am at everyone else’s mercy when it comes to getting around. Eric and Val’s house is on the far outskirts of the city, 20 minutes to work, which doesn’t seem far by Orcas, Seattle or Vancouver commute standards but to the people here I live in the boonies. And with Tristan in the hospital Firas has had to pick me up and drop me off each day for work. He wants to take me car shopping tomorrow. He wants me to get a new car and I want a used car. He says used cars are risky because people are so hard on them. I say I don’t want a large chunk of my salary going to a car payment. And I know that I’m leaving in one year, so a new car will mean a loss when I sell. He wants me to stay longer so a new car makes better sense to him. Don’t worry. I’ll win. I’ll find a used car, a couple of years old and have Eric’s shop inspect it. Eric is the regional manager for a bunch of car repair/oil change shops. Once I have a car I’ll be able to get out and explore. Yay!
Then I have to decide if I want to move closer to where the fun is. This is a nice house and I’m getting along well with Eric and Val so I could stay until they move in July or August. I’ve been looking for apts but it is tricky finding a 1 bedroom that is affordable. With so many expats here apts are difficult to find and they get snatched right up when they become available. I’m visualizing me in the perfect place. Perhaps I’m already in it.
Another issue is I don’t have a car yet so I am at everyone else’s mercy when it comes to getting around. Eric and Val’s house is on the far outskirts of the city, 20 minutes to work, which doesn’t seem far by Orcas, Seattle or Vancouver commute standards but to the people here I live in the boonies. And with Tristan in the hospital Firas has had to pick me up and drop me off each day for work. He wants to take me car shopping tomorrow. He wants me to get a new car and I want a used car. He says used cars are risky because people are so hard on them. I say I don’t want a large chunk of my salary going to a car payment. And I know that I’m leaving in one year, so a new car will mean a loss when I sell. He wants me to stay longer so a new car makes better sense to him. Don’t worry. I’ll win. I’ll find a used car, a couple of years old and have Eric’s shop inspect it. Eric is the regional manager for a bunch of car repair/oil change shops. Once I have a car I’ll be able to get out and explore. Yay!
Then I have to decide if I want to move closer to where the fun is. This is a nice house and I’m getting along well with Eric and Val so I could stay until they move in July or August. I’ve been looking for apts but it is tricky finding a 1 bedroom that is affordable. With so many expats here apts are difficult to find and they get snatched right up when they become available. I’m visualizing me in the perfect place. Perhaps I’m already in it.
Some goats on the side of the road as we were driving along. I’ve seen goats and camels roaming free. Check out the landscape behind them- yup, pretty barren.
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