It seems some updates hold more news than others and this is one of them. Our visit to Yemen came to an abrupt halt when we reached our airport’s passport control and discovered Dave’s resident visa had just expired and we could not leave the country. It seems that I can’t get into countries (Syria) and Dave can’t get out (UAE). We were in a holding pattern for two weeks as we awaited paper work. Then we were off to Lebanon to lead a three-day workshop and visit with those living under such stressful conditions, especially in the south where Lebanon and Israel occasionally fire shots at each other.
We then returned home to make a quick turn around and head to Yemen (once again) and Ethiopia but were delayed again. This detour came at the doctor’s office. Tests showed that Dave is diabetic. It will take about a month to find the right balance of medication and diet to maintain his blood sugars at a healthy level. My man is becoming a walking pharmacy. I don’t think of Dave as having a sweet tooth but if he did he could probably arrange to have it pulled when he visits the dentist this week for a root canal. Sometimes, I feel like the enemy is turning us into a dartboard. Thankfully, I am in fairly good health with the exception of ‘tennis elbow’ (a flattering diagnosis), which has me in an unattractive elbow support and on painkillers for two weeks. We think it’s more likely ‘luggage arm’. I am also in the early stages of osteoporosis and now enjoy a high-octane drink each evening to combat the degenerative aspects of being me.
So, we are sidelined once more. As our change of plans was shared in Yemen, we were copied on an email that promised new comers that we actually did exist. We’re becoming urban legends in our own time. We really don’t want to be out of the game but truthfully, I am grateful for a break from the airlines. Air travel is, ‘No Country for Old Men’. Flying is challenging and it’s own kind of purgatory. You’re neither here nor there but uncomfortably stuck between. However, ‘stuck’ seems to be stalking us of late wherever we are.
So requests seem to fall into five categories: our health, friends living under very unfriendly conditions, training dates that have been derailed, visits with those who will now go unvisited and prayers for a cranky old lady who felt like throwing something this week if her arm hadn’t hurt so much. On the brighter side, we did enjoy time with dear friends who came to Dubai (for vacation!) and shared in our doctor’s visits. I haven’t told them about our AIDS test yet. (Kidding) Well, that about wraps it up (to use an orthopedic phrase). Thanks for remembering us, Sara for Dave too
PS-pictures are of Roman ruins and coastline in Tyre
