Grrrr. Today dad turned down my application to take the jeep to Hamilton Traffic Department and Testing Ground (to test to what extent people can have meltdowns), but said he would take me instead. Nice one, except immediately after I needed to go to Petro for Physio. So I first went to Petro and really did some unusual Pilates-type (I believe) stretching. Liza and Colleen are definitely sorting out some physical weaknesses that really have needed attention for some time. Perhaps the snail like approach to the elephantine Ironman is actually the best way. I do feel really anxious to get some dino workouts in. I STILL have not hit 100km in the cycle.
After the Physio I cycled to Hamilton, and the road basically approaches the busy-ness and chaos and near-miss-ness of Korea. The roads are also shocking - full of cracks, gravel, potholes, glass and I have to say quite a few bumpers shaved the narrow space of air between my calf and their car. Thanks. I made it all the way out to Vista University (basically where there are no more buildings left, that means Bloemfontein ohp-say-yoh, finished, gone). So I unclicked off the pedals, walked over to a quieter road just inside off the Highway area, and asked for directions. The place has translocated (is that the right word, 'cos it's not transferred) to adjacent to the Coke factory.
I got there and met with a fris tannie who informed me, out of the luxuriousness of her sofa-like seating arrangement, that I simply had to fill in all the necessary documents downstairs (aka do everything I've already done twice again)and then they could whip out a temporary license immediately.
Immediately? I gasped, unable to believe that the Traffic Department would ever dare utter that beautiful word aloud.
Immediately. Yes.
Great. So where do I go? Downstairs?
Yes.
And I can do all this now? I asked, practically bursting with newfound vigor.
Ag nee. No man it's juss gone one 'o clock hey. They've juss closed. Yoo'll haf to cahm bek tomorrah.
I basically launched my campaign to update my driver's license on the 4th of January. For the record, your honor, let it be shown here that the date today is the 26th. 3 weeks to basically convert an old license, an old valid license with absolutely no violations of any sort, to a new, legal, nationally accepted one. My crime was to leave the country and return.
I have been passed from pillar to post, have made about a hundred phone calls to a Mrs van ven Berg in Humansdorp, 5 of which she actually took and spoke to me. I've also had to get a fax sent to me from my employer in Korea, with his signature, which, if you know my ex-boss, is no mean feat in itself.
I know a license to drive boils down to a license to kill in this country, but at this rate, of not getting one, I may find myself earning that license anyway, without a car, if you get my meaning.
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