SWEET & SOUR

by Muhammad Arif Barlas (Pakistan)

I didn't expect to find France

Any expedition is always a mixture of good and bad happenings. This happened to me at Charles DE Gaul Airport. I was standing in a boarding queue at the airport, I put aside my hand bag and laptop to wait for my boarding card. As I got the card and get back to take my luggage, I was shocked to see that the Laptop was there but no Hand bag. All my valuable belongings were in that hands carry. I tried to find the lost & found section. They nodded their head showing a big NO and pointed me towards another counter. I was about to open my mouth she immediately cut my words and said No. The missing bag was not the only problem; the biggest problem was missing my flight. Missing flight means expiry of visa, Overstay means black mark on my travel history which i cannot afford. At last, i went to my Airline staff and told them about the worst situation I was suffering from.They arranged an announcement of my missing bag. An old woman appeared with my bag in his hand. I almost snatched my bag and ran towards the immigration counter. I was embarrassed to see that a long zigzag queue was staring at me. I begged everyone standing in front but nobody was ready to sacrifice. I pulled myself out of the queue and ran towards an Airline uniform person. I hardly utter the words, my flight 15 minutes. He understood my half broken words and brings me to the immigration officer. He stamped my passport and let me go to face another obstacle of security check. Put off belt, put off shoes, put off your watch, open this, open that, this drill took another 12 minutes. Leaving watch, belt and few other things in the basket I ran towards the gate and was shocked to see an empty lounge. Airline attendant was there. He said that doors are closed. Go and contact the Airline staff. I was half dead and about to fell down. Not only Visa validity was in danger but also I lost an amount of 37000 PKR. This was a big amount for a tourist. I ran towards the immigration counter again. I shouted with full voice, is anybody there to help me? One of Swedish passenger gave his turn to me and I was in front of the desk, got stamped and ran towards the Airline booth. A grim face girl was sitting. i told her about the missing of my flight and loss of my ticket, she said, lost is lost. Buy fresh. Having no choice i said OK, She simply said, No seat available before Monday. I said any alternative; she pointed me towards a local Airline counter. i went there. Seat was available but not for Manchester Airport. Only option was to land at London Airport or at Liverpool. She said, make a decision fast. Only last seat left. Just to get out of France legally, i said Liverpool OK Madam. She gave me ticket for a flight departure time 1155 PM. 5 Minutes before the visa expiry. I got a new lifeline and to enjoy this moment headed towards the exit to celebrate this by smoking a cigarette. The bad omen was still haunting . As i was about to exit the Airport building, a man in simple clothes appeared, showed me his card and asked me for a baggage search. I said but why at this moment? He showed me a video where i was looking embarrassed and arguing with the staff. Running from one corner to another. All the security staff is watching you since you entered the building. Meanwhile he was busy in searching my bag and i was busy in telling him my sad story. He found nothing but a notebook. When he read about the details of the places i visited, he said, are you a historian? i said no, i am a Writer, Researcher and a traveler. He said, Sorry Sir, It was my duty. When he said, SIR, all my tiredness and tension vanished and i felt the taste o this magical world till i reached Liverpool Airport.