Looks as if I'l be a little busier than I have been, waiting ever so patiently for an elusive Turkish Visa, hanging out at home for far too long. I see I'm booked into a hotel in West Africa, somewhere rated by Time magazine as "Thee Most Expensive City in the World", smack dab on the equator on Africa's coast, flying the Super Puma L2 offshore. Often referred to as Africa's Eden, with low population density and massive resources, offshore petroleum has driven prices for everything through the roof. It's considered one of the most prosperous countries in sub-Saharan Africa. A former French colony, I'm sure my fluent French will come in handy. I'm glad I took that job in Northern Quebec in the eighties! Nothing like total immersion to learn a language, but I'm now trying to read some French novels to tighten up my grammar. My French came in handy in North Africa last year as well, as my Arabic is pretty much relegated to short greetings. I'm not sure why my travel arrangements haven't come in yet. I'm hoping I don't have to get myself there, as I'd soon find myself down at the port in Halifax trying to find work on a steamer bound for Africa, but I'm pretty sure flights will be forthcoming. It could be a great gig, and should keep me busy for awhile, if they don't pull me out for something else. There are some very interesting tours into the jungles to see gorillas, and possibly forest elephants, but the cost is daunting. Perhaps I can shenagle some sort of deal once I'm in country and make some contacts.
I still haven't heard anything about Turkey, nor why there's such a delay securing a VISA. I figured it may have been easier to get me into Syria and I could hook up with Kurdish refugees and smuggle myself across the border, then work my way over land to Istanbul, but it seems like a lot of effort for a job. I imagine it might have made a good book though!
It's been a very long haul, as today is exactly 107 days since I actually flew (in Suriname with an ex-U.S. Marine) though I shouldn't complain about being home and relaxing, but it's been a tad unnerving not knowing what's next. I packed a few times for various jobs, and missed out on an Approved Check Pilot recurrent course out West, and some maintenance starts on a Super Puma in Vancouver, plus a few other things, while waiting patiently for that damn Turkish VISA that still hasn't arrived.
Now I have to go through the daunting task of what to pack for six weeks into one 23 kilogram bag (actually it takes me about thirty minutes to pack for a tour). You would not believe the selection of knives I have, even after giving away a bunch last year. I'm thinking my new DPX HEFT 4 (it's a pretty kick ass survival knife!). I still have almost two weeks to decide, and to put a few more miles on my Norco, and catch some more trout.....
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