“Out and About” Watercolor on paper. Copyright 2012 Totsymae/www.toshfombycom
To be honest with you, I don’t like thinking about Saudi Arabia. Yeah, I learned this and that but I rarely think about that place. Though, I would’ve stayed for the time I was committed but that’s a whole nother story. For your sake, and maybe ’cause I like y’all, I will periodically share the limited experiences I had.
As for me getting outta there, well, how can I put this in a way that makes me look good?…Okay. Here’s the unvarnished truth…
On my way out, while at the airport, the man who took care of employees’ visas didn’t know how to take care of employees’ visas. I didn’t know if my visa was good until I went through immigration at the airport. You’d think I’d know that prior to getting to the damn airport but I didn’t, nor did the fella who did the paperwork. I went to the Office of Immigration at the airport to check. First of all, I was pushed aside so that males who came to the window after me could get waited on. When I was called up again, the fella behind the window said, “What’s your problem?” in a scowling tone with the facial expression to match it. Stank Biaaaatch!
In the meantime, I’ve got other employees who were still at the compound constantly calling me to see if my visa’s any good cause they’ve got the same shit I do and I was the gineau pig since I was leaving before them. I also had Visa Guy calling, along with another Visa Guy out of Riyadh.
So. Like the bad ass I am, when I made it through immigration, I sent a text to Visa Guy in Al Jouf, where I was working. My text went like this:
U are so incompetent and a lazy liar. The inefficiency in which U handle simple business is so amazing. Prepare to cover your ass because I am not done.
This, folks, started Visa Guy to stalking me on my cell phone. He starting texting me every hour or so. I never responded. Shit, it was late and I was tired. Besides, I didn’t feel like acting a fool with him. I’d already done my part. He should’ve been in bed with his wife or enjoying Ramadan festivities, not bombarding me with text messages. Hell, I only sent him one and that should’ve been enough, right? And too, if he had done his job right, I’d never have sent him that message in the first place. His last message to me was:
My job tomorrow is how to teach you a lesson. U will be sorry ’cause u sent me indecent SMS. Get ready.
To give you a snippet of my response to that in an email to Visa Guy’s boss, I said:
Telling Mustafa (not his real name) that his work ethics and integrity was not indecent. It was necessary.
Anyhow folks, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, alright? My sister said Mustafa never had a woman talk to him in such a way but instead of being mad about it, he should get down on his knees and thank me. Seriously. I worked indirectly with his wife day in and day out but did I bother teaching her any of my tongue-lashing skills? Absolutely not, folks. And as far as I’m concerned, Mustafa should be thanking the shit outta me.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
The snippet from the email is killer, and the watercolour, mighty fine.
Thank you. Now, I shall give my mind a break from that fiasco.
Lordy Tots you know you likely gave this no-good man the lashing even his mama did not give him, ever in his life. He is now thinking about all the virgins he will have at death and how he will make them pay as well.
That dude lost it. Even during my layover in London, he was still texting me.
Please prepare of few things for another guest post if you care to participate again.
I’ll forward you something over this long weekend break coming up. Thank you. Now that you say this, I’ve come up with what I think may be a good idea for a blog post. Will get with ya.
I can see why you would rather not think of Saudi Arabia. Makes you appreciate America, flaws and all…
Yes, it does. I just hope Mitt Romney’s not one of those flaws we have to live with.
I am shuddering at the mere thought of him being a viable candidate. It wasn’t so long ago that even the Republicans thought he was unfit for the job!
We’re both shuddering.
GLAD YOU ARE HOME! Thank you he should. I am certain all his issue with your lack of a penis is only exacerbated by his. Ugh. Those with no integrity are always certain you are the problem when you point it out to them.
{HUGZ}
Red.
xxx
Thank you!
He’s probably somewhere lying now. Folks had told me how he was but no, I gave him the benefit of not believing them to the near detriment of losing my flight on account of mishandled paperwork. It’s a longer story than what I care to go into here. Nevertheless, I’m home and safe.
This country is so strange. When Alex was at Prince of Sultan Airbase, the US Security Forces were largely women. He said the Saudi men hated seeing and having to obey these women with guns. It was the ultimate insult to them. I don’t know how Saudi women stand it.
Strange indeed. In public, the women are whispering to their husbands as if they’re afraid to speak. I sure don’t miss seeing those black abayas everywhere. I guess they stand it ’cause it’s their normal. Sure glad it’s not mine.
Well, Totsy, I am glad you’re home. Glad that the text wasn’t premature — that he didn’t get it while he could still do you harm. I am so concerned about these boys who think they are the be-all and end-all. They ain’t. Grow up boys.
Thank you. So am I.
This guy really got carried away. What a shame that he used so many minutes on texting me. For once, some guy was thinking of me.
Creepy, creepy, Tots. Glad your home, safe and sound. I visited the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles yesterday, and here’s what I learned. The number one victim of hate crimes? Women, and most of these crimes occur in Africa and the Middle East. Glad your home.
I like snippy…..you go…..a the painting is just fab!
Now that you mention it, maybe Mustafa likes snippy too. The darnest things can turn a guy on. You just never know ’til your big toe’s in the water.
Great reply and welcome back….sorry about the delay in my comment but I have been battling that bastard Isaac….
No problem at all. Well understood. I didn’t know you were in Isaac’s route. He needs to calm down.
Tots! I just knew you couldn’t get out of there without getting yourself in at least some minor trouble. I dunno’ how you moved aside for the men at the window. That took some kind of self control. I had the same feeling as a young girl in Germany when a German woman literally shoved me aside as I was getting into a taxi. She took the taxi and I stood on the sidewalk gawking at the taillights! And, thinking, “Damn! That didn’t just happen, did it?! Ha Ha. I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe at your experience either. Thank goodness, you’re out of there. Something told me KSA was NOT a good idea!
Well, you may know me best. Maybe better than I know myself. I wasn’t thinking I’d encounter anymore run-ins after getting kicked outta the corner store. That was when I first got there. I guess it pretty much ended like it started.
Places like KSA are not for us, I’m afraid. Sometimes, I wonder whether there IS a place…
Happy to see ya back painting
That’s a old piece actually, but new to the blog.