Tuesday, November 17, 2020

I have been here so long


This week, I have to renew my diver's licence.  Here you are given a licence for five years and then you renew it.  I knew what I had to face in getting it and, even after 15 years here, I was stressed facing the prospect of what awaited me - big crowds at a government office where I will find all sorts of bureaucratic adventures.  And what good purpose does it all serve?  As far as I can see, it is primarily about seeing if the applicant can overcome every challenge put in their way.  .  

Anyway, here goes!

Notice of appointment for getting my new licence.

Surprise!  Surprise!  

On carefully, but bravely, approaching another exercise in Thai government bureaucracy, I never expected what happened.   Due to Covid-19 a new process was set in place for renewing your driver's licence.  You now had to make an appointment which I did, discovering that the next available appoibntment is in March next year - four months away.  Wow!  

As I always say about here, your life can completely turn around in 24 hours, or much less.  Another way of expressing this was given to me by a Thai parent who has his child preparing for First Penance at the cathedral.  At the last minute, he advised me that he and his family could nort come to a planned family meeting within the programme.  He asked me if I was not aware of the "Thai surprise"?  The Thai surprise is ever present.  

My Thailand is a funny place.  It shows how imperfect our world is, and thank God it is as it surely, always reminds me that I am not in control.  

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