9 days

Nine days ago, i took Emerson into the mechanic. i knew there were several problems and wanted to give the mechanics as much time as i could to have them work on it. But, Master told them the car had to be ready by Tuesday, that would give them 6 days to work. There was an oil leak, the oil pan needed replacing. We went out to Jarha looking for a carburator for Emerson, no joy there, but did find an excellent used oil pan. The person who changed the oil pan didn't look it over well enough. When the mechanic thought he had the car finished, he took it for a test drive(a rarity in this country) and found a knock that wasn't there before. The oil pan had to be removed and repaired. i think each time the oil pan was removed, it involved taking out the whole motor from the body of the car. Then they were to fix a couple of noises in the back end of the car. From this they discovered the brakes shoes needed replacing. i had expected that, brakes last about 1 year in this country. Go ahead and repair the brakes. They promised the car would be ready by Wednesday. We called Thursday, and it wasn't finished yet. They said they were going to work on it on Friday, and would call when it was finished. Foolish me, i thought that meant they would call when it was finished on Friday. they didn't call, and they weren't answering Master's cell phone when He'd call. Fortunately Master had work in the office to do this morning before going up north. He took me to school. Unfortunately i was teaching on two campuses today. About 10 last night i finally got in touch with a colleague who also was at the Nursing school today. He picked me up from the boys' side and took me to Shuweikh campus. Master called me about 10:30 this morning saying they promised the car would be done this afternoon. When does afternoon end and evening begin? It's now nearly 7 pm. i still don't have my car. i called the mechanic about 2, after i got home. A 24$ cab ride. The head mechanic said call back in 30 minutes, his son was out getting the parts for my car. i called back at 3. Talked to the son. Another problem was found with the car. i asked him to please just tell me, yes or no, was the car going to be finished today or not. He waffled all over the place. i almost wanted him to say no, just so i could stop worrying about it. Now i'm looking at another 24$ taxi ride to the mechanic's shop to pick up my car. Master called the shop about 5 tonight, and got the father to promise my car would be done tonight, even if i had to go to pick it up at 10pm this evening. wow! i'm looking forward to that oh boy you betcha! Taxi at night, to one of the worst parts of Kuwait. To drive home a car that has taken 9 days to repair. i'm not complaining about the amount or even the cost, i knew it needed some work. i'm complaining about the time and the inconsiderate attitude the mechanics have. Why,when they say they will call, they don't? or it is just another cultural mix-up?



***The phone rang about 7 pm last night. Alberto, calling to tell me the car was finished. There is one noise that is still there, but Master says He doesn't think it is a worrisome noise. Master was just about right on the money for cost of repairs. A lot more than we had guessed before we took it in, and a whole lot less than i was beginning to think about. i guess i was estimating on the number of days, not on the work done.