Dolphin Address 01
January 9th 2007
Some effects are always accompanied by the same cause. Others vary. And then of course there is the paradise where one stumbles into darkness.
And a lot of darkness there was this Christmas. I did write between the lines about not being too happy I had to drive all the way to Holland just because my bus had to have an APK (MOT) check. The money for the ferry fare and the diesel too I would rather have spent on some extra service for the bus and the effort was not too attractive either.
But maybe there was some wisdom contained in the car check and indeed it was time to have myself checked as well. Anyway, there were two grisly court orders waiting for me at my old home address because for some sinister reason one cannot be a member of the ANWB (ADAC), if one lives abroad. My direct future creaked open like a prison gate and combined with temporarily living on a desolate parking place wasn’t very much of a warm welcome either.
Lack of sleep and a fast food diet began to undermine me and when I finally left for Oldenburg my initially festive mood had sunk into a spiral that even the very kind reception of my friends could not really reverse. Nevertheless I gave it as good a go as I could and put my hope in a Christmas hop-over to Ireland invited by my sweet friend Sarah.
I drove from Oldenburg to Eindhoven Airport mostly bumper clinging on to lorries and it is a sheer miracle I arrived there in one piece. That night I stayed in my car at the long term parking place and woke through a bitter cold and awkwardly lonely night.
The next day, waiting in the queue for the check-in of Ryan Air I had a double collapse and came to in a wheel chair. Consequently I was transported by ambulance to the Catharina hospital where I am being set up on a new medication.
I do admit to be surprised and very happy with all the wishing wells from so many people. My warmest thanks go to all of you. It may take some time before I’ll be back in Fanore but invisible hard labour is being put in a hopefully better New Year!
Jan Ploeg, Eindhoven, January 9th 2007
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