A rather unfortunate incident...

Whilst we can aim for a zero harm and incident-free life, the reality is that accidents and incidents do and will always happen. The best we can do is to focus on ensuring the risk, damage and frequency of such events is kept as low as possible, and with as minimal potential to cause damage or harm (the classic risk assessment approach).

Sadly one of the 'Twogotravelling duo' encountered a very unfortunate incident recently (I'm sure you can guess which one!) and both team members had very different opinions and ways of dealing with the fallout. Now I will warn you beforehand that blood (a teesy weensy amount!) is involved, accusations were made and threats of legal action were cited following this event to the other member....

But if a photo could speak a thousand words, then I think this one speaks volumes. You will note that one of R's digits is covered in this photo is covered in blood and almost falling off.. ..(*rolls eyes*)

The Scene

The plane has just arrived in Doha, it's about 7 pm in the evening. Our next steps are to get off the plane, get the eSim card in R's phone activated and then book a Grab taxi from the airport to the apartment.

The Incident

Travelling light with only cabin baggage means that when you are getting off the plane, it can be a little hectic as everyone is doing likewise and especially after quite a long flight. The weather is so much warmer than you are used to (and you're wearing your heaviest items to save weight in your bags too!), you're in a new country, and there is some trepidation on the next steps from the plan to your apartment.

So somehow in the process of exiting the aisle and plane (with all this baggage), R stumbled a little and to rebalance himself, he grabbed something, but in doing so, he managed to split his nail-yes, dear readers, you heard me right, his NAIL! At this stage, I was unaware of the damage caused and just noted a slight stumble and apologised to the person behind him (as I was in front of him). He later accused me of barging in front of him and thus inciting the incident (needless to say, this is highly contested on my part!).

On getting into arrivals, it was then discovered that the nail in question, which belonged to the right thumb, had some blood which, as it dried, looked worse than it was. However, this thumb now affected the biometric sensor on the phone, and of course, the humble thumb is important for this. Thankfully, R had had the foresight to ensure both thumbs work for his phone sensor. I'd like to say this was a deliberate risk management control, but I think it was more a case of luck! So, at least the eSim (my phone is too old for an eSim) could be activated, and the Grab cab request was successfully made.

In the hours, days (and who knows weeks & months to come?) following this incident, not only did I not hear the end of it but we were involved in a series of missions to assist in alleviating the inconveniences of this 'split nail' which was catching on 'everything' (R's take on this but watching him trying to tie his shoelaces was funny - even though I did offer to help!). Let me explain the somewhat abbreviated order of events:

1. The nail had been trimmed and cleaned as much as possible with nail clippers.

2. The plasters in the First Aid kit (kindly supplied by safety work colleagues) were deemed insufficient as they "don't stick very well" (especially with frequent showers & hand washing). A point in the argument that I was willing to accept.

3. We were dispatched to several pharmacies to seek out a medical or surgical tape of some sort that would stick better than the plasters. We got this fine in Boots.

4. Then we had to seek out a file as the 'nail bits' were catching on 'everything'. We managed to get this too.

5. Then we were looking for a thumb covering. We proceeded to buy a pack of finger cots, which subsequently were never utilised (I wonder why?), although the reason given by R was that they were latex, and I was trying to give him a latex allergy? (he was the one who suggested them!). I should also add that he was looking at a bright orange rubber thumb cot thingy, which I put my foot down at and said no to as it looked completely ridiculous (I now realise where the term "sticking out like a sore thumb" comes from).

6. Then the subject of should I buy a pack of those 'false nails' to cover my damaged one came up as we browsed yet another nail section in another shop. To which I informed R that he'd need to buy the toenail ones if that was the case, as his thumb was too big for the hand nail sets on display.

7. After this, he advised that perhaps he should just get some glue to cover it as that would stop it catching.

Now I'm sure that some of you can imagine my verbal and non-verbal responses to all of this shenanigans! Even though I had suggested that he just go into one of the very many nail salons everywhere and ask one of the ladies if they could assist and do something with his damaged nail, he was reluctant. I'm not sure if this was a step too far, he was not ready to embrace his feminine side, or he was shy, they would laugh at him, but I was ready to split his head, never mind his nail by this stage!!

The Investigation

A simple accident, no real damage other than a temporary split nail and a little inconvenience caused. No available witnesses to corroborate the event or the victim's recollection of the event. The photographic evidence is very limited, as he would not even let me photograph the damaged nail for fear of it being too graphic! I think that tells you all you need to know, dear readers. I rest my case that R may be exhibiting signs of hypochondriacism.

Conclusion

R is a walking disaster, and accidents and events are out to get him. Following the 'nail incident' and in the short space of time that we have bee here, R has sadly succumbed to several further incidents, these include a chilli seed tried to kill him and gave him a third degree burn to his oesophagus; a cacti 'stabbed him' as he watered it; the heat is making his legs 'itchy'. I could go on, but I think you get my point, I am dealing with a lot and I'm not sure if we (or R) will survive this trip.... pray for me!