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November 22, 2003
On My Way
In just a few hours, I will leave for the airport for the ungodly (and un-Allah like) 3 AM flight to Frankfurt. Then again, many Muslims get up around that hour to pray, so perhaps it makes sense. After a 5 hour flight, I have to wait another 7 hours, and then take a 9 hour flight to DC. I expect to be a rag when I arrive.
I'm ready to go. I'm tired of struggling with a camera, tripod, batteries and microphones (try filming birds off a moving boat--ugh....) I'm tired of wearing the same 4 shirts and two pants and washing them out in the sink. The detergent is gone, the shampoo is almost gone. I've downed at least 60 Advils. And needless to say, I'll be the first to strip off this silly scarf and hot coat I have to wear.
Then again, I'm not ready to go. I'm still meeting great people (including a man whose wife I met on an airplane yesterday. He's one of Iran's great mountaineers and visited me in the hotel tonight.) I could use another couple weeks to really get the story right, but I'd definitely need a videographer because I'm tired.
But I'm also not ready to go because I really love this place. It's often a drag and a half to be here, dealing with air and noise pollution, traffic, short working hours and nothing to do after hours. But that challenge also means a certain "high" when you accomplish your tasks and even surpass them.
And the people, food and culture are so rich; there's so many ironies wherever you turn. I know I will shed tears at the airport and when I get home as I miss the new friends I've made and the experiences I've had. "Inshallah" I will return to write another chapter....
Posted by MJF at November 22, 2003 10:28 PM