Indecision City
Trip Start
May 09, 2005
1
26
53
Trip End
Aug 01, 2005
Dahab,
Egypt
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
So after failing to find a job here in Dahab, I've had to take serious stock of my financial situation...and not to mention my physical, emotional and psychological state. The finances are more than okay, but that's for HERE. In the back of my mind are the costs I will be up against once back stateside, and that money will dwindle away quite quickly. The rest of my 'state' is okay. I get a bit down during the day when it's 100+ degrees and there is no wind. But as night descends, I turn into a different person and Dahab comes alive and can't imagine leaving. Then, today, a lovely breeze comes through and the entire day is a happy one.
I had finally made the decision that I was returning back to the states about 2 months ahead of time. Then the evil and misleading airline and travel industry decided to tell me otherwise. Very long story short...Expedia is telling me that I may not make any changes to my current itinerary and guess what--I lose my ticket completely should I not fly home on my original date. Apparently I have been away from the English language too long to not understand what "nonrefundable" means. I thought this meant that you may not get your money back should you not use your tickets. I especially found myself bewildered as these very words were then followed by the statement that changes to the itinerary would incur change fees. Okay, no problem. May I please change my ticket and pay the penalties? Nope, sorry, this ticket is nonrefundable. And they are unable to answer me as to why this ungodly word is followed by instructions on how to change your ticket. No reply.
So here I sit, asking myself if I book the $700 one-way ticket out of Egypt and back to NYC and enjoy my last few weeks diving and seeing a bit more of Egypt? Or do I wait out the next few months, instead spending the $700 on living in Dahab. Let the cost-benefit analysis begin!! I've been at it for the past 3 days and my poor mother and Vanessa have been at the brunt of it all (sorry guys). I had planned to fight Expedia one day more and then just pay out for the new ticket because I am just plain tired.
Then, of course, what do you know: I have three follow-up interviews land in my lap tonight for jobs. Word also got around that I was looking at the prices for the 4 day open water PADI course and had negotiated a great 'Egyptian' price that I was satisfied with. So one potential employer in particular tried to bribe me saying that if I work for him (which is at a big dive resort), my courses and diving will be free.
I ask myself, where were you guys weeks ago when I was desperately seeking a job? Is this just a ploy by Anwar to try and get me to stay longer (as when I told him I had to leave, he ran around to every known contact to try and find me a job ASAP)? In any case, I am currently checked out of Dahab and officially in Indecision City. Each day I tell myself, tomorrow I will finalize my plans and make a decision. What is there to go 'home' to in CA will be there in 2 and 3 more months. But at what price am I willing to put off reality?
