How Are You?

Last week was rough traffic wise.  My friend Joy texted me with, "I'm OK but just got hit on my way home."  My friend Lori also got hit while driving home.  She was fine, but disappointed because it ruined her 8 year streak of no accidents over here! Lori was rear ended by a Sudanese man who told her to follow him to the police station so they could get their police reports taken care of. Only he didn't know where the station was and they meandered for quite awhile before Lori made him follow her.  Made for a long day for Lori but eventually they got the required documents. (In order to have any repair work done on your car over here a police report is required.  Even if it is damage from driving too fast over a speed bump or dune bashing in the desert and losing a bumper...) It can be quite draining to locate the correct police station and then communicate the problem.

Joy's story was a bit different. An Iraqi woman hit her and they remained at the location until the police arrived and until Joy's husband arrived with an Arabic speaking coworker.  Apparently, as told to Joy, the woman repeatedly argued with the officer that it wasn't her fault because..."I didn't see her."  Over and over again she tried to convince the officer and ,according to the translator , he told her several different times that she was crazy.  I'm pretty sure he used different words but then maybe not.  Finally the woman  stopped arguing, kissed Joy on the cheek and said, "you take me home now."  Really, I cannot make this up. (Joy and Curt did take her home. They are very nice people.)

My friend Jen also needed a police report recently. Her dad, while visiting, noticed a strange sound when they were driving and told her to get it looked at.  So off she went to the police station.  After finding the correct one, she went to the counter and was greeted with "How are you?" Jen smiled and began describing her problem. "How are you?"  Oops. Limited English. Looking at the guy one chair over, "Can you help me?" "

Yes, madam.  One car or two car accident?

 Ummm. One car

Tomorrow, madam. 10 am.

Oh no. but I am a teacher. Can you help me today?

Tomorrow.

But I have the children. Please can you help today? Is there anyone who can give me the paper today? I cannot come tomorrow. I have school. Is anyone here today?

And then she hears... How are you ?  Big smile from the first guy. Who then proceeded to fill out the paperwork. Hooray! No return trip necessary or time off work. The next morning
Jen's phone dings with a message... How are you?  

Thankful that no one had an accident like this one...but it happens here, a lot!