Moving is expensive, at least internationally, but I’ve never complained. Lucky us to have the government behind us, helping to cover some of the fees – moving the bed, shipping the car, and possibly reimbursing my flight. They also offer to pay us back for a 10-day hotel stay of my choosing, the cheapest being $88 per night in San Diego, but after I’d still have needed 3 – 7 weeks till our stuff arrives.

Caleb was able to get 12 movers out to our flat in Bahrain on May 24th to make sure our goods were on the next boat out. We dropped the car off in the desert after three washes, on June 6th, and picked up a rental car, a yellow Picanto, for our last week in the country, or so we thought. I would get two more – one after a guy ran a red light and the other when my window wouldn’t go back up.

Short version here:

I was driving through an intersection around 5:30 pm, during Ramadan, when a guy popped my headlight out and dented the bumper into my tire. I was able to reverse and put the car in the dirt where it would stay until the police showed up at 1 am – that’s right, seven hours later. Grandpa called his 40-year-old son, who brought his high school-age son with him to help handle this. The driver called his friend too. We went to two police stations, had dinner, and had tea on the roadside.

Everything worked out – I got added as a driver for the report and insurance, went to the police station to cut in line after waiting for a couple of guys and going to a few different offices, only to find out the case was going to court and I wasn’t needed. The rental company gave me a discount while charging me at a higher rate as well. I hadn’t planned on being here a month, but that’s the cost of moving.

Back to moving:

I’ve always enjoyed saving money, even when moving or on vacation, so sometimes I see the fees as a bit extraneous, but I am grateful that I can afford them and the memories that come from these experiences. I’ve gotten lucky that I didn’t need a hotel in Bahrain and that I’m not having to worry about a place in the States, but it makes running errands with dogs tricky.

I had stopped by the SDSU campus and paid over $110 for not being in my car while it was in the wrong direction without a parking pass. I drove to the next building I thought I needed and called the parking number of the garage to be told that I had to park further away and walk across campus while the dogs wait in the car. I wasn’t the only one upset about this decision. The guy who gave them water would make a snide comment about a dog sitter, but I promised him I wouldn’t be long, and 70 degrees in the shade should buy me some time.

I grabbed the info I needed and passed it to my helpful husband so he could get things sorted. As I write this, I’m wondering why I didn’t go through the motions myself and how much better this was written the first time (before I lost my draft). Oh well, Caleb is currently in school himself, which is why he’s been absent on my Facebook and Instagram. He landed in Norfolk, visited with his brother and met his second nephew, and bought a Mazda 3 to tour the mountains before reaching the big city of Chicago, where he’ll be for two months (only two weeks left).

The Post’s Title:

I got called back from San Diego (on my way there) after two days in Los Angeles and three in Phoenix to spend 18 days, roughly 170 hours, selling Kwality Ice Cream. Most of the customers come over after eating at Krua Thai restaurant next door; hearing praise from family, friends, and co-workers; or finding it online via Google and Yelp. I enjoy the variety of customers: one who ordered three scoops, then didn’t want to pay, only two have used the toilet and not bought something, a little girl dropped her scoop on the floor, and one guy thought his scoop wasn’t big enough.

But let’s not focus on them. Let’s remember the great parent/child relationships that I get to witness as they’re encouraged to be respectful, playful, and interesting. They’re allowed to ask questions, not finish their ice cream, and help count the change. Some people come in and only want vanilla, not wanting to try the rose, rajbhog, sugar-free pistachio, and blue mango, amongst others, though that’s what the chocolate and butterscotch flavors are for. Some stay to chat (those are my favorite) about travel, the store, the book I’m reading, school, and life in general.

My dad is my favorite customer and keeps me company on occasion. My grandma stopped by for almost an hour the other day. And let me not forget to mention Sonal’s family, who have made sure I’ve got something other than ice cream to eat, mostly her eldest daughter, as their mom’s away planning the wedding of her second daughter. I appreciate the opportunity to help and have a sense of purpose during my transition back to the States while I wait for everything to come together.

Update:

This post is all over the place, as was my mind upon return. I’ve now been stateside for nine weeks, and I’m not promising the writing will get better, only that it will be more frequent. Caleb wants to know how all my country trips ended (as I left most unfinished) and more about my transition between countries. I’ve got others curious as well as to what filled all of my time while over there… and how I enjoyed it. Those details to come as I get into classes, pick up my hobbies again, and finally have the strength to deal with my mother’s passing – to go through her notes, pictures, and memorabilia – with limited tears, as the pain never goes away, but time has made it easier to cope.