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Tryst With Footballing Destiny
Oct. 25th, 2008 04:30 pmAway tickets to watch Fulham at Anfield on November 22 go on sale on October 30. I hope I don't forget to book them...
Oct. 25th, 2008
I'm at a loss for words. The Humberside dream run continues. It's enough to make even the strongest-willed football fan giddy. This is what the Beautiful Game is all about. Only the small matter of Chelsea and Manchester United next. I wish I was a kid again. I'd've chosen the Tigers as my club. I know it's not too late but you can only switch allegiances so many times. It's better than any underdog Cup run. Keep it up guys. It's not often you can put it across the Gunners and the Red Devils. Mixing it with the big boys. I love it, I love it, I love it...
Just got off the phone with me maam. Apparently the Emiratis have now hiked the tourist visas for Indians and Pakistanis from RO10 ($26) to RO18 ($47) per person. And what's more? They've added an iris photo check to the immigration procedure. Iris what? Who does that shit? It's fucking ridiculous. There were no visas less than five years ago. British citizens still don't need visas. It's absolute hell traveling by road from Oman to Dubai via Hatta. There's a shit portacabin with airconditioning for those working inside but everybody who needs a visa (ie, all the Indians and Pakistanis) has to stand outside in the hot sun. There's little or no shade and if you're especially lucky, you'll be waiting in line keeping company with a swarm of flies. Compare this to Indians and Pakistanis visiting Oman? A mere RO3 ($8) visa and a palatial-like entrance. It really angers me that they're taking advantage of us South Asians and we sit around like statues doing nothing about it. Fuck you UAE. My parents began losing interest in visiting Dubai when they introduced the visas. It got worse when they saw the poor border facilities put up by the Emiratis. This is the final nail in the coffin. I wish Indians would stop traveling to UAE. Boycott anybody? :)
Meanwhile, my mum also informs me of a new and fascinating feature that has been added to Immigration at Muscat International Airport. There is now something called an E-Gate which has this electronic card reader which you can run your civil card through upon arrival and proceed immediately to picking up your luggage. You don't need to wait in line and get your passport stamped. It's only for citizens and residents, but it's a start. The civil card is a nasty thing to have, as its only purpose appears to be to raise useful income for the government. It costs $26 per person. And heaven forbid if you lose it (as I found out). Without wasta, the replacement process involves getting signatures from seven different police stations and other kinds of meshugaas. At least they've found some useful purpose for it.
Meanwhile, my mum also informs me of a new and fascinating feature that has been added to Immigration at Muscat International Airport. There is now something called an E-Gate which has this electronic card reader which you can run your civil card through upon arrival and proceed immediately to picking up your luggage. You don't need to wait in line and get your passport stamped. It's only for citizens and residents, but it's a start. The civil card is a nasty thing to have, as its only purpose appears to be to raise useful income for the government. It costs $26 per person. And heaven forbid if you lose it (as I found out). Without wasta, the replacement process involves getting signatures from seven different police stations and other kinds of meshugaas. At least they've found some useful purpose for it.