Sylvia's Journal

It’s getting cold now in the morning and there is, according to Axel, hoarfrost on the ground: tiny solid depositions of water vapor from saturated air which occurs when the temperature of the surface is below freezing. It occurs generally with clear skies. This reminds me of flying: rime ice is not a good thing when you are flying; I learned that from my private pilot exam book which is better than learning from experience.

I am still programmed to look up at the sky when I hear a small plane going overhead. I can’t help myself. I miss flying and wonder whether there will be any time to fly during my short stay in the US.

We received our passports which probably meant that a threat was made to go public with the petty bribery attempts. It seems that the threats and the giving in are part of a ritual that happens over and over again. Someone must be thinking that one day the trick will work. It is of course the big bribe cases that tend to be more successful and go unpunished. Even though the major of Kabul is indicted he still goes to work every day. Some heavyweight must be protecting him and publicity apparently made no difference. Power always wins.

While I was trying to tie various loose strings together, Axel has started his Christmas vacation now that the language school has closed. He went into town for some Christmas shopping, something I don’t particularly like to do. I am enjoying living in a Christmas free zone, although there are signs of Christmas here and there. I did receive my first Christmas gift (a local candy called Antique Gaz) today from one of my (female) staff with a real Christmas card attached. Since this is not a local holiday I was very much touched by this gesture.

Now that everyone around me seems to have been through one form of flu or another I am afraid it is my turn. I can say in Dari that my throat hurts and ask for salt to gargle. I am drinking copious amounts of hot water which is a little problematic given the dearth and state of most female bathrooms. Luckily it is weekend now and I can sleep long and late and have my own bathroom, two actually, close at hand.