Before I start, here are a few last photos of Paris. On Saturday morning we went past the Paris Apple shop and there were some poignant and gently funny and sweet tributes to Steve Jobs
And here is Lenny in front of the comic shop, Diable Blank - does this mean the Blank Devil, and is it a reference to some comic hero? someone help me out here. We visited twice, and we bought three Transformers comic books, which Lenny promptly devoured. We must remember to go back there next time - the guy there was so friendly, and helpful, especially to Lenny.
Right, a bit behind again, due to a hell journey from Paris to Kuwait via Doha - warning - DO NOT FLY VIA DOHA AT THE MOMENT - wait until they have built the new airport. At the moment there seems to be just a massive hole in the ground, so I wouldn't hold your breath.
So I am writing this at the Al Corniche club in Kuwait - once again, a big thanks to Michael for having the forsight to join this club - it saves me just when I think I can't stand another minute here, it is an oasis of calm, comfort and really nice friendly staff. Lenny and I have been here since 10.30am and it is now 4.30. I have had a long talk to Yilpi on skype, listened to her new wonderful song, written emails, and watched the ukuladies rehearsal live, in Singapore, via skype!!! Oh, it made me so homesick for Singapore and my lovely friends, and there seem to be hundreds of women in the new Ukeladies Orchestra of Singapore. I am all a mix of jealousy, longing, loss, pride, love - the voices sounded wonderful together, and it is so great with the ukes....
it is Monday, apparently, the 10th of October, and the last time I wrote the blog was Friday, our second last day in Paris.
All I can say from this (very comfy) couch is that going to Paris was probably a wonderful mistake - entirely because I had to return to Kuwait. Lenny and I had the journey from hell - packed planes, rude, unhelpful staff on Qatar - not keen to fly Qatar again - especially via Desperate Doha. We had to disembark (down stairs onto the tarmac), get on a bus that practically drove to Paris - get off, stand in a queue forever, have our baggage xrayed, then wait for another packed plane to Paris. Doha seems to be a massive transit airport for the whole of India, Africa and the Middle East, and interpid adventurous (young) Europeans for that matter. And that was just getting there. Returning, arrived in Doha at 1am, same deal but this time with a sleeping 7 year old, and a 2 and a half hour wait, then another (late) flight to Kuwait, where the airline (Qatar, if you didn't already notice), in their wisdom (read laziness, or just plain mean-ness) refuses to give out head phones ('sorry madam, we don't give headphones for short trips' - I could have watched a whole entire episode of 30 Rock before the plane even started moving) despite the fact that the screens were all working, and despite the fact that the plane was LATE taking off. So I had to watch 30 Rock - which is my therapy and sanity in any difficult and trying circumstance at the moment - and lip read the dialogue.
Arrived in Kuwait at 3am, and had to buy 2 visas at 3KD each. Which is not a problem, especially at 3am, when there are no queues - but I was so tired, and there were about 12 guys (customs officers) sitting, smoking, joking, talking, as I walked to the machine for visas, realised I needed small notes,dragged Lenny to the bank, then back again when I still didn't have anough small money - the machine only takes 1,or 2 KD notes, gives no change. Noone helped me, just watched, and smoked and laughed and talked as I dragged Lenny and my luggage back and forth. Then , when I had finally worked out how to get the money in and the visa stamps out - one of the guys grunted 'Open'. 'I beg your pardon?'....'Open' was his only word in English - and I realised that the visa stamps were in little envelopes, and they wanted me to open them and take the stamps out. I was so angry that not one of these officials could be bothered opening them for me, it was all I could do to restrain myself - not a good idea to get angry at 3am trying to get a visa in Kuwait. Read below for more information...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-01-13/kuwait-ordeal-continues-for-sydney-family/265110
We finally got out, and Amir the trusty taxi driver was there (in a tie no less) to pick us up. I have to admit, dear readers, that I cried all the way back to our apartment - 12 hours of travel really did me in, and the Kuwaiti customs officers were the final straw. When I got home, I was a bit hysterical, until I finally fell asleep at 5am. My hysteria rendered poor old Michael and Lenny speechless and still - waiting for me to get through it. Not pretty.
The next night (Sunday night), amidst the buzzing on G, the water stopped - all the water for the whole building. We also have no gas - so now washing and cooking are not possible. Welcome back to Kuwait.
Hi J,M&L
I really appreciate your writing Janet, and the photos. I love Michael's jacket - where did he buy that?
Well, you'll be over the travel traumas by now I hope. I reckon you should make the Club your home and just go "home" to sleep!
I can envisage "Choir at the Club" up and running soon!
Fingers crossed for Numama Bangalow. Starts tomorrow. Mama has been to the hairdresser's and looks wonderful.
My website is having a difficult birth, but check it out - there are some developments today.
All back to school here. Hope Lenny's new school is terrific.
Lulla's news is great too! Keep well, Love Papa
Posted by: Papa | Tuesday, 11 October 2011 at 02:30 AM
Janet, I feel so, so bad for you. Our thoughts are with you and we are hoping today was OK, tomorrow better.
Trace and Ethan
Posted by: Tracey Lees | Tuesday, 11 October 2011 at 10:54 AM