Chest X-Ray and a Shisha Pipe

A much better day.

First thing, to a hospital in the city to get chest x-rays for our residence permits. We were met there by, (I'll call him) Reza, our local admin person. (I called him Mr Fix-It the other day, but that's probably a trifle patronising - he seems to know his onions.)

Reza took in the paperwork to the hospital reception, and then we had to wait outside where the x-rays were being conducted in a big old van - the sort that used to go around the UK in the 60s, like on Alfie. The two women (T2 and DoS's wife) went off to a different place for theirs. There was a bit of a melee. There was a group of what looked like Philippinos, who all went together, a handful of black Africans, a troupe of boiler-suited Chinese workers and the rest were Arabs. Somebody in the van would shout out names, and you'd ascend a short metal staircase into the van. We waited less than an hour. It was all over in seconds, no nonsense about taking off jewellery or changing into a humiliating wee tie-up-the-back gown. In, clunk, out.

Whilst we were there a little old local was shouting at one of the Chinese. I wish I'd known what for, what he was saying. There's still active talk of Arabic lessons, and it would be great not to feel dumbstruck.

Then we went shopping in town, and KST and I searched first the Old City, and then a main street for Shisha pipes. Something in my subconscious must have eventually guided us to a shop in a side street, perhaps I'd been there on my earlier trip. Anyway, it was perfect. Two friendly, helpful old guys, gave us all the gen on a good pipe: the clue is in the weight of the metal part - pay a little bit more and it's twice as heavy. We ended up paying the equivalent of about £12 per pipe with all the trimmings. Most excellent.

Then we met up with LM and T2 at a restaurant near the main square. Ages to get the waiters' attention, perhaps because the place was swamped by posh sounding British tourists (there are a lot of them here).

Taxi home, and some constructive lesson planning for next week. (We're to get a day in lieu because we've given up a Saturday for the x-rays and the planning). T2 far less weird. I'm to teach two classes next week, which we're calling "Induction Week", pending the arrival of T3 in a week's time (visa permitting). It sounds good. Getting to know the students (who are all teachers in their own right), getting their feedback on the placement test, and negotiating with them on the course of their learning over the next few weeks.

But tomorrow's a holiday. We were to go and see a major Roman site, but we've put it off until T3 arrives. Anyway, I plan to go to Church - for all the usual reasons, of course, but it will be pleasant to get away from everyone for a couple of hours.