Dulcet Tones
I had to order some t-shirts printed the other day. My week has been one frustration after another. I’ve been lied to, fobbed off, avoided, lied to, and ignored by various people from the Ministries of Education and Home Affairs since first thing Monday morning, and so when the man on the other end of the phone told me that he couldn’t have them ready by Friday, I had a bit of a snip at him; I thought we’d ordered them in time, and we hadn’t. My bad.
He is, for some reason, doing me a huge favour and sorting them out for me in time for Sunday, when the youth group for whom they are destined will be departing, with me, for next week’s tour of the Omaheke region*.
However, the panic over whether or not they can manage the order by tomorrow seems to have resulted in a great deal of telephone flirtation. I have no idea who this guy is, or what he looks like, but it’s sort of fun. I think everyone needs to be greeted with the words ‘Hello Beautiful’ at least once every day.
It matters not that I could be a moose, with a face like the back of a truck. The fact that someone other than me loves the sound of my voice is good for my still smarting soul.
*If you have’t already read about it, you can sample my previous youth group tour experiences here, here and here, if you so wish… I’ll be back a week on Monday, with or without my sanity.
June 17th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Have a good trip — you’re an old hand at them now, aren’t you?
June 17th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Hi Rach
Just caught up with your last few posts. Very entertaining, well written as ever and…I love the double and single entendres.
Like others your description of feeling lost and alone in an airport in 1994 brought back memories. I can’t wait to go somewhere exotic again - but not easy with a strict annual leave quota - and in my case it would mean going back to NE India.
It would be good to catch up properly, will try to send you an email before long
I think you are doing brilliantly
Martin
June 18th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Hello, Beautiful!
Ah. And I’ve just finished reading all of your prior posts, I think, via Blogger. Your new look is much more attractive, and I hope easier for you. Great fun for me to read of your experiences, but more important educational. You break up the immensity of your work with the bits of humor (humour, I know) and humanity that make it a story a person can follow without falling into hopelessness or depression. VSO really ought to publish stories in this way. Not glossied, but the truth of adapting first-world concepts of charity and good works to the reality of places where they are needed. So thank you for the truth, and for the laughs along the way! Oh, and for the fabulous images, too.
June 19th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Been in similar situations myself and have to say I don’t envy you - I hope you have invested in a good pair of earplugs? Good luck!
June 20th, 2006 at 10:42 am
I love the new look. I have been trying to figure out how to swap too, but it seems complicated. Did you do it yourself or are there clever clogs out there who will do it for you?
June 20th, 2006 at 10:59 am
I also love the new blog look. Very classy and pleasant to browse. Have updated the link as well.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
Ria - old hand? Yeah, because it always gives me grey hairs.
Hi Martin - sorry - I’ve been very slack too. Will be in touch soon!
Bill - why thanks! See, that cheered me up immensely. I’m glad you like the blog, although sometimes I think that I’m a bit too negative. I can’t help it though - frustrating situations always make me want to laugh afterwards because they’re sometimes so ridiculous.
Nicki - indeed, someone did do it for me. He helped me a great deal.
Elizabeth - thanks!