Had to rush to town, got a call from my travel agent saying that Air Niugini has cancelled its direct flights to Sydney - bloody airline. But since trip was unscheduled, didn’t have a choice but to join the town run, a regular daily trip to town for banking, shopping and everything. Ok, no choice but to go “raun-raun” (round and round). Got dropped off at the travel agency and business done in no time, now what? Asked driver to drop me off at the Filipino-owned bakeshop to pass time, had tinolang manok (chicken stew with green papaya and chili leaves) with rice and pan de coco (bread with sweetened coconut meat, swit tumas) for dessert and of course a can of Coke Zero – burp! An hour passes, food digested, still no sign of my ride - damn. Decided to pop into a nearby pharmacy to hook up with a friend and instructed security guard and a wantok of my whereabouts before leaving. Walked towards the nearby pharmacy, met pharmacist friend. Stories finished, another hour passes, still no sign of my ride – arrrghh!! Tried to ring the office to see if they have returned without me – “Network Busy.” Got a connection after several attempts and was informed rest of the party should still be in town. Perhaps office clerk is stuck in a long queue at the bank. Asked office to contact driver, was told “driver no gat redio.” Wait ed some more, invisible smoke now coming out from both nostrils. Another hour passes, still no sign of my ride. Tried to ring the bank to see if office clerk is stuck in queue – “Network Busy” – got through after several attempts. Bank personnel promises to call back. Friends shift at the pharmacy over, had to leave too. Decided to return to bakeshop and was informed driver showed up about an hour ago but was told where to pick me up. Got call from office. Was informed vehicle has returned to base and will drive back to town to pick me up – arrrgghhh!! Decided to go to meeting place, waited for another 30 minutes, driver shows up finally. Driver gets scolded. Driver pretends to be deaf.
That entire ordeal for a mere 20-minute errand.
1 comment:
Better buy a pair of walkie talkie: one for you and one for the driver. Install also an outdoor antenna so the drivers would always be reachable. I am sure no more "busy network". You'd even jam other walkie talkie signals. Over and out. kzzzt.
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