Nuremberg Tour 6
Two days later, an official airmail letter arrives from Israel. Checking the postmark, it was mailed before my meeting with the officers. I am informed in longwinded bureaucratese that the record shows me to be former fiancee of the late Sam M. As such, I have acquired his draft obligation. I am ordered to get in touch with the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa ASAP.
I send the Col an email, bemoaning bureaucracy.
His reply is well less than helpful. Sam had a right to name whomever as fiancee. Since he's now dead, it is impossible to check with him, possibly it's true. He goes on to advise it could be unwise to vacation there, as there could be a warrant out for my arrest.
As I reread this nonsense, I spot the tongue in cheek, brother pushing sister's buttons.
So I send the other mil a similar email.
This worthy is most helpful. He will sort it out for me, I need not fear. However, I do have the option to simply allow the record to stand. I then become, ipso facto, a Lieutenant in the Paras. May as well go for prestige, he asserts. He will amend the record after I reply.
If Israel itself is dangerous, then any rational person would agree that being Lt in Paras increases one's level of mathematical risk. I reply, telling him to correct the record.
I hear nothing for a week, just assume everything is ok.
My hand shakes as I read his reply. Further investigation shows Sam M made this statement under oath, therefore it is unalterable. They have no legal authority over me here in Canada, but advise against travel there.
A week later, a further email. It appears someone higher up has intervened on my behalf. Three guesses who.
While my draft obligation cannot be cancelled, it being carved in stone, it can be altered. As of now, I am accepted for training in the radar tech program.
That's a little more livable, but still. I reply.
The final answer comes. The obligation is not immediate, can be deferred up to one year. But only if I enrol in a Hebrew course at JCC. Must send proof of registration to the Israeli Embassy, blah blah.
Upon finding it only costs $50, I opt to take it anyway. You never know.
And so it is, the Israeli Embassy and myself live in a state of peace, as long as I attend course every week.
Ariel settles into a pattern of inviting me for coffee once a fortnight.
Nothing changes, he is so full of himself I simply never get a chance to speak.
Still, he is a nice guy, I like him a lot. His stories are always interesting, often funny, an insight into his world.
I just wish he would lighten up a little. So I keep going, hoping for the best.
I send the Col an email, bemoaning bureaucracy.
His reply is well less than helpful. Sam had a right to name whomever as fiancee. Since he's now dead, it is impossible to check with him, possibly it's true. He goes on to advise it could be unwise to vacation there, as there could be a warrant out for my arrest.
As I reread this nonsense, I spot the tongue in cheek, brother pushing sister's buttons.
So I send the other mil a similar email.
This worthy is most helpful. He will sort it out for me, I need not fear. However, I do have the option to simply allow the record to stand. I then become, ipso facto, a Lieutenant in the Paras. May as well go for prestige, he asserts. He will amend the record after I reply.
If Israel itself is dangerous, then any rational person would agree that being Lt in Paras increases one's level of mathematical risk. I reply, telling him to correct the record.
I hear nothing for a week, just assume everything is ok.
My hand shakes as I read his reply. Further investigation shows Sam M made this statement under oath, therefore it is unalterable. They have no legal authority over me here in Canada, but advise against travel there.
A week later, a further email. It appears someone higher up has intervened on my behalf. Three guesses who.
While my draft obligation cannot be cancelled, it being carved in stone, it can be altered. As of now, I am accepted for training in the radar tech program.
That's a little more livable, but still. I reply.
The final answer comes. The obligation is not immediate, can be deferred up to one year. But only if I enrol in a Hebrew course at JCC. Must send proof of registration to the Israeli Embassy, blah blah.
Upon finding it only costs $50, I opt to take it anyway. You never know.
And so it is, the Israeli Embassy and myself live in a state of peace, as long as I attend course every week.
Ariel settles into a pattern of inviting me for coffee once a fortnight.
Nothing changes, he is so full of himself I simply never get a chance to speak.
Still, he is a nice guy, I like him a lot. His stories are always interesting, often funny, an insight into his world.
I just wish he would lighten up a little. So I keep going, hoping for the best.
posted by afghangirlscifi @ 8:01 AM
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