Ringing in the New Year in the Western Hemisphere?: Pipe Dream de Jour

The above refers to a notion we've been kicking around El Casa Americano. You see, the replacement teachers don't have visas yet. Why you ask? Because they were denied. Oops! It's not like they're supposed to arrive in 12 days or anything. Anyway, we've all been mulling precisely what would happen if those visas never do come. We can't operate with only three teachers. Secretly, we all confessed that we would be delighted if the school had to close and send us all home. It turned out we had all constructed very elaborate fantasies of how we all could be going home. They all started with us ringing in the New Year atop the 101 in a massive party and leaving Taiwan the next day either for America or Thailand (because when can you see Bangkok if not at 3 am?). It will never, ever happen (except the Bangkok 3 am bit for Audra and Bridget and maybe the 101 party if we get the day off instead of Christmas Eve because the new teachers won't be arriving ontime), but it sure is fun to think about. I feel downright giddy now.

I know I shouldn't feel so gleeful about the new teachers' visas being denied, but it's hard not to because they were denied because of their own stupidity. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if you apply for a tourist visa and check any box that doesn't say "tourism" in the purpose of visit section, you're not going to get a visa. Also, one of them is Belgian and I despise all Belgians on the grounds that our apartment is El Casa Americano, not El Casa Americano es Belga. It just doesn't roll off the tongue. Also, I'm not sure Belgians should be abroad at this time of national crisis. (That part is true--the crisis anyway--although I have difficulty taking it seriously. If Belgium were to disappear tomorrow, I feel civilization would somehow find the strength to bravely soldier on.)

Well, I should go rouse Paul. Someone must go to the water station. We've been out for two days now, but Paul stands firm on the idea that it cannot be our turn again until the roommate before us takes a single turn. I argee, but I would rather get the water ourselves and have it, and then mentally curse the slacking roommate for the next week. Thank goodness we have a private supply of water.