Misery

Stiffling heat, all consuming humidity, visual desolation... ahhh all too unfortunately familiar. Land of sand again. Well to be honest those weren't the first clues that I was almost here.

While transiting through the terminal, as I passed thru the X-ray security bit in the airport the queue next to me had a big Japanese tour group. And being a group, as they cleared the X-ray, they gathered on the other side waiting for each other. When I cleared the machine, I knelt down putting my boots back on and by this time the group waiting was about 15 strong with around another 5 yet to go thru. Whilst quietly waiting for the stragglers to join up a local official strutted up to the tour group leader. And very loudly, gruffly and rudely barked, "MOVE! NOW!!! MOVE... NOW! MOVE, MOVE!!!"
The tour guide politely said she was waiting for the other 5members to make it across. But the local guy just kept yelling, "You move NOW! NOW, NOW, MOVE!" A lil taken aback but still trying to be polite she stated her case again but all she ever got back from him was," MOVE MOVE! YOU MOVE!" accompanied by yelling progressively closer to her face to intimidate her, as well as the accompanying flailing of arms and gestures. Luckily by then the rest of the group had made it across. Allowing the poor girl to escape his wrath. Needless to say, even with the limited Japanese I do understand, the whole group weren't saying very nice things about him or his kind as they moved on.

So, this is how they behave to paying guests, tourists, which the government here is desperately trying to coax over. Extolling the virtues of the regional hospitality. As I said before, stereotypes came about for a reason. And this chap sure perpetuates it.

Anyhow, back to work 2moro. Yet another thing I ain't looking forward 2. Plus the appartment is caked in dust/sand/ powder... annnnd the fridge is bare and devoid of food, annnnd wifey ain't around, so depression, gloom and general sadness all round. Good to be back eh...