Inshallah #1

Alden strolled up to the Syrian embassy this afternoon; he arrives at three o'clock sharp.  It is exactly 16 minutes away from his apartment on foot.  Dutifully producing his raffle ticket to claim his passport (and hopefully visa!), Alden was asked, "When were you told to pick up your passport?"  

Alden relies, "Today, after three o'clock." 

Alden recognizes the embassy staffer; it was the same one who had taken his application, passport, and blank money order last week.  The staffer glances at the clock, and notes how very exactly on time Alden has arrived.  He then retreats towards a phone and makes a hushed phone call in Arabic, mostly out of earshot.  Alden is really proud of himself when he recognizes his raffle ticket number being read in Arabic, especially since numbers aren't exactly his strong point.  

(Side note:  Alden needs to get better with numbers before attempting to bargain for a custom made dishdasha in Syria.  Oh yeah- Alden is totally getting a dishdasha!)

(Side note #2:  Alden has been wondering, is the expression, "Going native," offensive?  Because this is Alden's plan, but perhaps he ought not to use such colonial-era terminology?  Anyways, he is three weeks into a beard, and it is looking GOOD.)

Back to the story: the staffer returns to the window and informs Alden that his passport "ought to be ready tomorrow, Inshallah!"  

Literal translation: Your passport will be ready tomorrow, IF ALLAH WILLS IT!

Possible translation #1: We didn't get around to it... too busy enjoying Memorial Day BBQs! (Can't blame them- it was beautiful this weekend!)

Possible translation #2: We need a little more time to steal your identity to fund our proxy wars.  

Should Alden be worried?  We really hope it is option number one.  And it probably is...

Alden asked if he should return tomorrow morning or afternoon.  He was told, in a rather confused tone, as if there was any choice: "definitely afternoon."

This is the first of the probably MANY Inshallahs that Alden will hear this summer.  Alden needs to get used to the fact that many parts of the world do not operate on Alden's "Gringo Time."  So, Alden will try to get his passport again tomorrow, inshallah!