Spending Money

Hi All
5a Sunday, May 31


I'm taking today off and Christine and I will get over to the villa early for a swim then out for some more Spend-O-Rama. We are narrowing down the list as we tick off items. Yesterday was another big Ikea day. Bought a matching leather love seat and recliner as well as sheets, pillows duvet, towels, lamps and a few kitchen items. I knew all the bedclothes were not a cheap proposition but until we started looking - from thread count that you could see through to over the top and luxurious, I really didn't have any idea as to quality and cost. Glad Christine was along to guide me as she was in her element. I also stopped and picked up another wicker chair - sitting on the tile floor is not recommended.

Prior to the Ikea trip, we had gone out to the villa and in route I called the service desk as we had a few repairs - water leak and A/C. Well as I'm pulling up, so did the troops. Discovered that the water valve into the house was off and when finally located - in the kitchen ceiling and also found that all bathrooms have a zone valve too. So got the water on, and got the various leaks repaired when the pressure was built up in the line. The A/C guy fixed what ever the problem was for 2 of the bedrooms and also the maids room. Although this ate up about 1 1/2 hr's it was well worth getting it done before the big delivery day which is Tuesday. I also climbed to the roof with the technicians and saw all the A/C and water tank set up so am now familiar with that as well - but remind me not to do this in 105 degree temps again.

For the past few days Christine and I have also been looking for some good pots and pans. As most know I am a fairly decent cook and the tools are important to me. The most common here are cheap aluminium pots w/ plastic handles - none of which could withstand the temps and abuse a cook gives. We had seen some good quality Celphalon products at a speciality store and so after we had mule hauled the Ikea booty out to the car - parked in 115 degree weather, in the shade, we went back into the mall and purchased the the 8-piece set. We had the clerk help us out to the car with it and it was back to the hotel for a well deserved rest and cocktail. That accomplished, we went out to get dinner - a whole rotisserie chicken with flat bread. pickled veggies, hummus and labenth - a yogurt which is tangy. - all for $8.10 US. We brought it back and ate in the room. With moving out of the city, I am going to have to find all new locations to get food like this, dry cleaner, liquor store etc. - Yet another adventure.

Today's adventure includes more shopping for the smaller items on the list plus a trip to Toyota and the US Embassy. This is after we go to the villa , I have some admin stuff to work with the rental office and a nice swim. Tomorrow it's back to work but not really. I have to go to a meeting at another hospital that is 1 1/2 hr's away - in the desert - so Christine is going with me. The hospital driver is taking us so I will have him take her around town shopping and then come and pick me up when the meeting is over. We'll get back to the hospital for a few hours for me and I will have the driver take Christine over to the villa where I will collect her at the end of the day. This way I can get caught up on some emails before going back to work on Tuesday.

Well that wraps it up for today. More later.

Love to all.
Scott

Record Holder

My Villa, directly behind me is a small park.

Zone 8 Unit 80 - Front door, front bedroom, middle window is living area and back window is master bedroom .

The pool and clubhouse. Lower level is aerobic gym, upper floor has machines and weights. Locker rooms are are behind me w/ jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Two squash courts are also available and a game room with pool table fuzzball etc. In the distance are two tennis courts.

The pool wraps around the areobic gym and is 25 meters in length for a good workout - only one problem - no lane lines so the kids may get in the way - but after I mow them down a few times , they get the point !

The 23 hour ownership accident. Pisses me off.

Hi All,

5a, Sat. May 30,

Well yesterday was FANTASTIC Christine and I were up up had breakfast and out the door by 8:30. We drove out to Sas Al Nakhl Village and went to the clubhouse where we swam,( I got in 500 meters and am out of shape) sunned and met another American, Jay from Phoenix. He's here with wife and 2 daughters one(16) who was going to the Prom that evening so he had to run after about a 10 minute conversation. We left shortly after and went to the villa where we measured for curtains and got a better look at the villa . It needs a few repairs and that list was started.

We left there about 11:30 and headed over to Cary and Shauna's. They still have a few things to sell -curtains being one item as well as a computer desk, stereo, DVD/CD changer and a ladder. On the way there we drove past the US Embassy - It is quite an impressive building and we're going to go back on Sunday ( remember that is our Monday) to register in the country and to find out about taxes- Although it's tax free to live here , I still am obligated to pay some US taxes above a certain amount - so hence my inquiries. I don't want to be the guy who thinks he's smarter than the IRS and a few years later ends up owing more in penalties than the tax owed.

Now the Record Holder Story - Nine years ago Wesley ( our son) got his drivers licence on one day and the very next day, I got a call from Alex (our 2nd son) that some one had called him to report that Wes had spun out in his car and was in a ditch. By the time I got there, he had gotten a tow out and was gone. Had the caller not ratted him out, I doubt Wes would have shared this information with us. After leaving the US Embassy, we were at the traffic light , 3rd in line waiting at the light. Suddenly, the guy in front of me puts his SUV into reverse and slams into my front end. I had the car less than 23 hours and I'm already involved in an accident - ONE FREEK'N DAY My first word getting out of the car as the driver is approaching me were "One day , One day I bought this car yesterday. " Well the police were called, (Mandatory in the UAE as ANY repair work to your car requires a police report - even if you hit your wall in your own garage), he had us move the vehicles to a shady area and he collected the statements. LUCKILY the other guy admitted his guilt, and we were on our way in 1/2 hr. Bumper, grill and hood will need repaired/replaced. The Toyota dealer is right near the US Embassy and since I have to go to my insurance company to get it repaired, guess our Sunday plans just got more complicated.

Well we hooked up with Cary and Shauna(teachers at the American International School) - Actually I called Cary when the accident occurred and he walked over to assist if he could. We had a nice visit and ended up buying the aforementioned items and we arranged for delivery and install. Both Cary and Shauna had things to get done - Cary was playing tympani for the Abu Dhabi Symphony that evening up in Dubai and Shauna was going to act as a chaperon at the Prom that night - OMG we had just met Jay - could it be? Yes it was. Shauna was to pass on our hello's to Jay that evening. What a coincidence.

We left there, went to Carrefores bought a few more items - looking for some good pots and pans - they didn't have any, just the cheap stuff - then drove over to the Fish Market - Christine and I got some huge prawns and then drove around the dhow harbor - (the fishing boats) where we saw all the fisherman prepping for that evenings' run. They use a 2 meter wide x 1 1/2 meter high half dome wire mesh net contraption and all the dhows had them hanging from every surface.

It was back to the hotel, and the valet's immediately noticed the damage. They also knew I had just gotten the car. Christine and I relaxed with some cocktails and made seafood pasta with the prawns - which was delicious.

Today is to be a repeat of yesterday - minus the accident - ONE FREEK'N DAY ARGHHHHHHH - Tippy Toes, Tippy Toes(family code word for "Chill Scott)

Love to All

Scott

WOW What a Day

Hi All- Thursday, 10p May 28
Well the past week has been a whirlwind with Christine arriving , me ordering a car, getting the villa " warmed up" with utilities, cleaned. and on top of that, work has been screamingly insane with workload over the top. I was to get my car yesterday and had a nasty interchange with my sales rep who over promised and under delivered last night. Well today I get a call at 11:15a car is ready and come and get it. About 1 1/2 hr's later I pull into the hospital in my new 2009 Camary. Color White - too damn hot to consider any other color. Today was 46c or 114F hot but just beginning to be summer. Fear it? - I do.
I got back to the hotel at about 4p and picked up Christine. We drove over to Ikea and we bought a bed, 2 night stands, dining room table, 4 chairs, and a kitchen island. This on top of a dinnerware set and other sundries.
Next stop was Carrefores - Huge upscale Walmart where we bought stove , refrigerator, washer/dryer and microwave - I passed on the dishwasher until I can find what I want. Also got a flat screen TV and then went and got satellite TV service with Tivo.
Now all of this is going to be installed/ delivered on Tuesday June 1. Christine has the duty to watch over all this so before we left Ikea , she insisted on a wicker chair to rest in while the minions delivered and installed. I gratefully complied.
Following our shopping spree, and after dinner at Fudruckers (Christine was about to gnaw her arm off - or better yet, my head if I didn't feed and water her), we drove out to my villa - well I got lost x2 on the way there but finally got situated and dropped off all the booty. Came back to the hotel , paid the valet less than $4 and he will have my car ready for me at 8a in front of the hotel as requested.
Our plan for tomorrow is to go out to the villa, swim at the club house, return to town at 12 to visit Cary and Shauna and to buy their sofa and love seat, computer desk and other items. They are leaving for India soon via Colorado for a months vacation. After that it's back to the stores to get more booty to outfit the villa. As I said WOW what a day. More later
Love to all
Scott and Christine

Christine's Initial Impressions

Hi All , Christine here, Tuesday 8p May 26
Okay - let's get this clear: It is Hot, Hot and Hotter in UAE, the people and food are varied and wonderful AND things are done in a very specific and official manner. I arrived late on Saturday and immediately made a mistake (showed a copy of my resident VISA) ---- Oops, you go to the back of the line. I was taken from office to office, person to person and I was still in the airport! Ever heard of the Tom Hanks movie"Terminal"? One man finally took pity on me and let me thru, where Scott was waiting for me (surprise and so welcome a sight AND he brought me flowers...). I had to go back into the terminal and see the nice man and he stamped my real visa with a big stamp (stamps are huge here). Scott and I were driven to Abu Dhabi and then we took my first walk outside. This is a huge city - think NYC and you cannot understand a word anyone is saying. Just like NYC !

Sunday (work day for Scott) and I stayed in bed to relax. Scott took half a day to show me some sights. We went to a large and luxurious mall --- mostly I looked at the people. All shapes, sizes, colors and degrees of being covered. Many women are really covered from head to toe in black robes called abaya's. Before coming here I assumed that all the abaya's were solid black - NOT correct: they are embroidered, decorative stitched, embellished and beautiful. Many women have a head scarf and some have an attachment that covers all but their eyes. Lots of local men were a robe over their clothes - mostly white, but some other light colors. I commented to Scott that I noticed that the women wore the heat absorbing color! People, men included, wear mostly sandals. The malls and streets are full no matter when we go out and it is warm (very) even at 3:30a in the morning. Driving is crazy and fast; lots of taxis & many drivers want to talk with you. Food is so different - not at much meat and many spices. We have had something like a gyro two nights and a broasted chicken one night - The grocery stores have so many choices of fresh fruit (which I have been having for breakfast - mostly because someone else had to peel and cut it up).

Scott's villa is on track - saw it this afternoon. Big developement called Sas Al Nakhl - this translates to "area of trees" - Scott and I think it means the trees are on a purchase order and are on a boat somewhere and may be planted at some point in the future.... possibly. The cleaning crew (all men) was there this afternoon. We looked at appliances on Monday. Will have them delivered one day when I can be there for the installation. Heavy, sun resistant drapes will have to be installed. We also saw the Toyota dealer and Scott's white camry should be ready a little later this week - hope to have it for our weekend jaunts.

Went to Mafraq Hospital today with Scott. Had to have my medical exam. The doctor is of Indian descent but grew up and went to college in Michigan. We had 2 meetings (remember things are done in a specific pattern and all papers have to be stamped and made "official" We spent 4-5 hours getting the proper stamps on my papers for me to get my meds and appts for cortisone injections..... I still have neither!

Scott is a person to be dealt with here - people get up when he walks into the room! Swear he introducted me to half of the administrative staff at the hospital today. This is an uphill battle, sort of like the cosmos of "the way it has always been done' Scott has been using his combination of humor and tenacity to get things changed. Heard many positive comments about Scott's efforts to improve central stores AND he has an official stamp too!

After three days my utmost thoughts are how wonderful it is to be together and my luggage was on the same plane with me.
Love to you and thanks for your concern, Christine

A ADNOC petrol station - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company - the one and ONLY gas station brand in the country - owned by the government from the ground to the pump- hence the reason for no taxes.

Note the snazzy dressed attendants at the pump.

Even the lube oil business is a monopoly-unless you are a car dealership -there are no JiffyLubes

Shauna with 2 year old Athena - no picture of Cary - he's in the witness protection program - not really, he's just shy about pics

Never one to be shy - here I am with Shauna and Athena

Hi all,

Saturday 9 am May 16

Two wonderful - All American -experiences yesterday.

Experience #1

I walked over to the Abu Dhabi Mall - 2 blocks away- to buy a cooler to tote some beers to experience #2. Instead of taking my regular route, I exited the mall via a different entrance and was stopped on the street by a young man - about 28 - when he said - Nice Shirt!

I had on my USNA Class of 2010 t-shirt. I turned and met Brent Dial, West Point Class of 2002

He's the business development director for a defense firm in Columbia MD. Well we chatted it up for 10 min and I departed with a huge smile.

Experience #2

I had asked my pal Scott Hamrick for a friends email but he didn't have it but directed me to another friend from our college days - Peg. So I emailed Peg and she responded but also included that she knew someone in Abu Dhabi. Follow me here . Our Youngstown crew includes Ray Runge - who married Valerie ( never met her) who has a daughter who now lives here with her husband Cary and daughter Athena. Well We hooked up yesterday - I provided the beers we just had a great time telling stories about all the commonly known people. They are leaving the UAE for India via Colorado in 4 weeks and they are selling their car and some household goods so I looked them over too. Needless to say, It was wonderful catching up on my college friends thru the eyes of a 3rd party and just getting a chance to ask questions about living in the UAE. It was a great All American Experience.

Are You Experienced?

Love to all

Scott

Pictures in Dubai

The cheese counter in modern supermarket called Carrefours

Bulk spices

Hulk and I get busy at the Virgin Record Store

Tony ( son of Dr. who went on the trip with us) ( Egyptian) at the ice rink at the Dubai Mall Jumbotron is behind me. We had fun together while her mother( the docotr) and Noorand -the person who arranged the trip from HR - shopped

Old Dhow on the Dubai Creek - note the rudder and tiller set up.

More Dubai Pictures

Ski Dubai- when you have buckets of money - anything is possible - even indoor skiing in the desert.

Detail of the Water Wall

The Water Wall

Shaky picture of the aquarium - note the scale w/ people in for front.

Fake Date Palm tree complete with ripe dates which is actually a cell tower. note antenna and ladder on trunk.

Dubai Trip

Attacked by "The Falcon" in the Gold Souk

Entrance to the Gold Souk

Water taxi on the Dubai Creek

Thr tallest building in the world - I believe it's called The Dubai Tower

Hani and his family, ( right rear w/ wife Nada - means Dew in Hindi w/ daughter), brother parents and sister.

Hi All,

Tuesday 8p May 12,

This past week and a half has been hard on the ol' Scott. Focus at work has turned it's bright light on the issues in my departments and although not responsible for the fiasco I walked into, I am responsible for fixing the fiasco. I'm up to the challenge and have no doubt it can be done, it's just a LONG climb to the top. But enough about work - let's talk fun things.

Last Thursday I discovered that one of my pals - Marcel - pictured in one of the earlier blogs was sent packing back to the USA. His performance was superior and his staff was heartbroken to have lost him. - Seems he had an undiagnosed case of Hepatitis C - as a carrier - not even active - but here in the UAE -your gone - not permitted to stay in the country.

Friday evening - Hani invited Amr and myself to his daughter's 1 year birthday - I've included some pics of that too. About 70 family and friends were in attendance . He rented out the dining room for the evening and had a WONDERFUL array of Indian and Arabic dishes in abundance - well there went the diet for the evening and I ate my fill on some of the best delicacies the chiefs served up. I'm telling you - it was awesome -lamb dishes and chops ,chicken and enough sweets to send a diabetic into a coma. All the woman were in their finest Indian garb - sari's (sp) quite a unique and privileged experience. Next day Dubai.

Dubai is about 75 min up the coast and is filled with sights the entire way - even camels - I admit I jumped out of my seat when I saw them grazing by the fence used to keep them from wandering onto the freeway. - Like deer back home - only MUCH bigger.

So we get to Dubai - 4 of us and a driver - and we go to the "creek" where Dubai originated and took the water taxi over to the old downtown - but since it was too hot, about 105, we opted to head on back and go the Dubai Mall which makes Mall St Mathews look like a pimple. This mall has a aquarium. ice skating rink w/ a huge jumbotron and a gold souk (market) Store after store after store of jewelry sales . I did notice that the stores were empty except for the clerks - downturn hits the disposable income market. Plus a really neat water wall - pictures above.

We left there and drove over to Mall of the Emirates - Another huge mall about 6 times Mall St. M size but smaller than the Dubai mall. Well this is the place that has the indoor ski slope. Yes you may have seen pictures and mine don't go it justice. Weird seeing a guy in a tee shirt, shorts and flip flops walking thru the mall with his snow ski's over his shoulder . Just doesn't calculate ! Well it was getting on in the afternoon and we decided to head on back to Abu Dhabi. But before we leave I take several pictures of the tallest building in the world. What ever it is called, you can call it TALL.

Well Christine is due here in 11 days (Carole King's Anticipation comes to mind) and a car purchase is on my agenda - I'll fill you in on the car search in another blog. In the meantime , enjoy the pics.

Love to all

Scott

Car shopping, housing and a hummer.

The outside of the kitchen store with pots galore !

Check out the size of those turkey fryer pots or are they camel fryers! Huge and the - baskets take you pick.

Check out the "breast" shaped serving dishes - This is a private Morrow joke which I pulled on my Mom. Love you Mom - my nipples are so hard I can cut glass!

A dhow - check out how old this thing is - all hand built.

The one it the forefront has been emptied but the one in the back is awaiting to unload. Such a dichotomy - old world in front - modern skyscrapers in the background.

Their cargo - actually some nice pieces in there - except for the hideous deer statues on the right- and I do mean hideous!

And to fill up the pots - right next door is the plants and landscaping market - How convenient,

Or should I say how Emotional!

Hi All

Sunday 9p

Well today was a good day at work. FINALLY got Christine's tickets in hand. Plus talked to housing director - yes another Mohammad - and learned that the place Hanie and I want to move to may work out better than we thought as the hospital has already secured housing there for some of the doctors- well they have about 11 units "open" - so Hanie and I are making a full court press to get in on that deal as it will be cheaper with no automatic increase next year ( yes landlords are limited by law not to raise their rent by no more than 5% each year - so the standard IS to raise rents each year - even when the market won't bear it - hey go figure) We are working the deal and I will have more later.

Well yesterday - Saturday after breakfast and some time at the pool grooving to tunes on my iPod, I headed out to look for a car - UGH not my most favorite past time.

Oh but let me back up to 2 a.m. Sleeping soundly and suddenly this loud MMMMMMMM sound - I snap awake and listen to this MMMMMM sound waver in tone and intensity. It stops after 10 seconds THEN MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM get the picture?

Ok I get up now and it's coming from my bathroom ceiling - it's the sound of a pipe with water flowing thru a semi closed valve - we've all heard the sound. MMMMMMI call the front desk from the phone right by the toilet - how convenient - I'm talking to them and I'm holding the phone to the ceiling - and they are sending maintenance up.

OK throw on shirt and shorts. 2 m in later maintenance is at the door. He comes in and I escort him to the bedroom and bathroom MMMMMMM he tries the controls on the AC - nope ( I already tried that) He leaves and comes back with a ladder , pops the ceiling in the bathroom and feels around on all the pipes MMMMMMMmmmmmmmMMMMMMmmmmMMMMM Ah he finds the right pipe BUT discovers the problem is in 1202 - I'm 1203 - So now he calls the front desk and they talk - then they ask to talk to me - They want to move me - not for the night but kit and kaboodle - to another room - OH NO I say - wake them in 1202 and get it fixed - Oh no - we can't do that they are sleeping - WHAT??!! WANNA BET I'll call them - Oh no don't do that Ok we will move you only for the night so you can sleep - ok where to ? room 1302 - Don't you get it 1302 is right above 1202 do you THINK the sound may be transmitting up there too. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Deep breath - Ok now we have 3 maintenance guys out in the hall - they have woken up the 1202 people - nice couple from Sweden in their early 70's - and yes she is a blond and she is hot. (maybe I should check out Sweden for the next expat job if 70 yr olds look this good) yet I digress - so I hear him saying he's not going to move either - then the concierge comes in with my new room key for the night - down on the 2nd floor He apologizes for the trouble and hands me the the card key - THE INSTANT he hands me the key - The MMMMM stops - I gleefully exclaim the MMMM has stopped and since he just arrived, he hasn't heard the MMMMMM - so I take him into the bathroom and exclaim - No MMMMMM- remember this is all speaking stilted English with a crew of Burmese/Thai and Filipinos - How do you translate "No MMMMM" into English ?

Ok so back to bed - but I was able to relate the story to Christine on Skype and she she ends our talk with MMMMMMMMM to kid me - and I reply well that's a first - A Hummer over the Internet ! hahahaha

Ok back to the car story - I find a few cars and get some info and since I didn't need to by a car that day I go on my way. So I'm in the neighbor hood of the Fish Market - So I start to hoof it over there and on the way I come across the store with all the kitchen stuff - see photo and then to a market with pots and plants then the wharf where you see the dhow's - very interesting. Well made it to the fish market got some sea bass and shrimp huge shrimp and had them cleaned was on my way. Ended my day with some wonderful seafood pasta.

Hope all enjoyed the 50 -1 odds winner at the Derby - wish I could have been there.

Love to all

Scott

Driver's License Lessons

Hanie and I at the $2.70 dinner

The dinner - Chicken Khardi - spicy with flat bread and a "salad" (already eaten) (Marcel's dinner was goat w/ rice)

My Pal's -Marcel from Ghana, Hanie from India and Amr from Egypt standing in front of a fruit/vegetable store.

The "Pill " building - was to be the headquarters for the F-1 racing teams - new race track is about 10k up the road on Yas Island. First race is Nov. 1 Looks like a big "Epcot" from a distance but then....

The closer you get you see it is a pill shape. The architecture here is so interesting - People with buckets of money hire the best architects and let them be creative.

Hi All,
May Day May 1, 4p
Well this week has been a blur, Started out the week by looking at more villa/town homes and found one I really liked - only down side - no clubhouse in the compound. Yesterday, Wed. went to another compound and they had a wonderful pool w/ lap lanes , gym etc. also is a place where a lot of the doctors I know live - but the price is higher and the construction quality and layout is less "favorable" BUT I think I've decided to stay there and will turn in my papers on Sunday to get the process started. need to get back in the water and start swimming and losing weight - A constant battle.
Well the drivers license story- LUCKILY I am an American - because if you are not the process is quite harder. evidently the UAE thinks we teach our drivers well and the process is straight forward - Well let's start from the beginning. Documents needed - copy of passport , copy of resident visa ( long drawn out process to get this) letter of no objection from your employer - not difficult but a hassle. ( yes your employer can prevent you from getting a license) a photo copy of your American drivers licence- no problem, your drivers license translated into Arabic - OK - but a hassle PLUS all the originals of the fore said documents and a passport photo.
OK got it all , Hanie ( director of patient finance and in some pics above I will post) He's Indian grew up in Kuwait and lived in Atlanta and Houston ( Methodist Hospital in Houston) before moving here. He has Indian passport and US driver's lic.
We head on over to the DMV on Monday and he tells the driver ( hospital provides cars and drivers for us) to take us to Mussaffa - I said we need to go into Murrujh (sp) - No this is a closer place - Ok so we get there and there is this big road course laid out with a control tower and people are taking their driving test in cars that look like a Beeline Courier bumble bee cars complete with blinking lights on top. The driver pulls up in front and there are HUNDREDS of people here - OH Geez - and they are all Paki or Indian - all trying to get a license so they can be a cab driver - ( this must be the training ground for all the NYC cabbies) . We go in and the place is packed - we make our way to an info booth - and are told to go down the hall and be seen there. We get there and I pull out all my papers and the guard says not here -Murrujh and I am now confused - isn't this a drivers license place - yes - but not for me is the final word - But Hanie - with his Indian passport is in the right place even though he has a American driver's license. He must take a class for 4 hours, then take the written test then get scheduled to do the driving test - he's LESS than thrilled.
Our hospital driver has split by the way as he wasn't going to wait for us as he knows the process is agonizing long. So we call the hospital driver back up, he returns and takes me to Murrujh - where I thought I had to go originally( and I was right) He take me into town , drops me off out front and says he will wait for me. OK ( I had asked another expat how this process went so I'm looking for some familiarity in the locale from her description) Lo and behold it's all falling into place. I go in, and go to the reception booth, the woman takes my papers, arranges them and give me a "Now Serving" number and points me to the eye test - I sit there for 3 minutes, they call my number, I go in and in 2 minutes I get my eye test done and pay 20AED ( $5.40 US) and I go back to the reception desk where she hands me another Now Serving number and points me to another area. I wait for 5 min. They call me up, take my papers, ask if I am married, take my cell phone number and I pay 200 AED ( $54 US) and they take my picture. 5 min later they hand me my license ! I'm stunned - fast efficient service. I ask is that it, am I done? She says Yes your done - Go ! I skip out of the building wondering why the rest of the bureaucracy can't be so efficient. The driver is waiting for me and we head back to the hospital as Hanie is still stuck taking a class.
I am now looking for cars to buy or lease. Will probably rent one for a month until I can find what I want.
All's good
Love to all
Scott