Dubya Finger
I was in Amman last week visiting a customer. The trip was arranged at the start of November and it wasn't good news that it coincided with George W Bush being in town. The wife was convinced I could post pone the trip but it's never that easy.I stayed at my usual hotel which was busy with people "moved" from the hotel being used for Dubya. "I've been kicked out for Bush" someone told me. I felt sorry for the hotel staff because these guests were unhappy to be there and determined to feel hard done by.
On the evening Dubya was in town my driver took from the customer to the hotel a route I'd never been on before. Shortly after our turn off into unknown territory, for me, we came across a 3 car and small truck road accident. It was hard to see much as a crash is quickly the centre of attention for everyone within walking distance. All eager to give an opinion. My driver swerved towards the side of the road as if to park but thought better of it and made do with a comment to me in arabic. Realising I couldn't understand he made gestures with his fingers. I nodded approvingly hoping his hands would soon be back on the wheel.
The next accident we came across was a headon between a truck and a Mercedes. Both had come off badly along a road with fields either side. The truck looked wounded at 45 degrees in ditch and the Mercedes had the entire front inside the car. The third, and final crash also involved a Mercedes. this time it had ploughed along the side of a mini bus.
The centre of Amman was gridlocked and drivers were finding new, unfamiliar routes home.
Events
I flew back with Air France through Charles de Gaulle airport. We landed early despite taking off late. A few momments after we came to a stop it was obvious something was wrong. After an announcement in French, the voice told us " we have a technical problem.....the finger...we can't extend the finger".
posted by 21stCenturySocks @ 10:16 PM
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