Sylvia's Journal

The money we saved on taking the red eye to Kabul we spent on an extravagant last night out, before the midnight taxi took us to the airport.

We had cocktails on the roof of the Mirage (One & Only) hotel looking out over the manmade palm island before indulging in buffet that left me gasping for air. An Arabic version of Enya provided atmosphere at the roof while a Spanish guitarist accompanied our dinner on the ground.

The stitches are out, as is the verdict as to whether this medical trip accomplished its intended results for me. For Axel the inability to have a gallbladder infection from now on made the trip worthwhile even if my symptoms are still there.

We never got to see the flamingos; instead we returned, by way of an art supply store, to the hotel. Art supply and electronics stores are for Axel what fabric stores are for me. The only difference is that fabric stores are photogenic, and so Axel is happily occupied taking pictures, while art supply and electronics stores are simply boring to me. I try not to show it but Axel gets it and my bored presence depresses his enjoyment.

Axel uploaded mega gigabytes to what he calls ‘the cloud in the sky’ – this had to be done while still on a fast internet connection. Such things are more difficult back in Kabul. He also downloaded all sorts of movies so we are all set for the many long winter nights coming up. I took a nap while all this was happening.

And then we closed our suitcases and checked out of the world of luxury to return to our trench in Kabul.