The beaming light which seals the night pains

by Busisiwe Acetile Muholi (South Africa)

A leap into the unknown United Arab Emirates

A little girl out of me always had dreams and admiration from walking in the fields... Gazing at the lie skies and watching the Blue skies I will hear a deep Wavey Breeze as Airbus elevates itself to hide beneath the white clouds and all my heart will sing with the warm feeling " One day, and someday and another day I would afford to take myself on a journey to an unknown space with diverse culture beliefs and adapt in such a community as though it was my own. A journey to a thousand miles begins with a mere thought, and desire and Faith. Little background about me... I come from background of extreme poverty in the country controlled and colonized by Greed and Power by the wealthy elites and certain government entities where the rich get richer to and the poor becomes poorer unless they find the missing link of financial literacy... Precision planning and management skills. I heard a lot of stories about Islamic religion and growing up as a Christian myself I felt I had to explore this religion one day in its country and witness for myself the Good, the Bad and the Ugly that embroidered in my fantasy space. Fast forward to my first flight to UAE in 2011 I was excited but super scared of what's there on the other side for me yet I encourage myself to travel with Ethiopian Airline, holding Emirates Visa and wasn't aware how my first flight, but I first ever travel out of South Africa could prove daunting like that experience. The flight left Johannesburg at 8AM to Addis for 3hours... I was terrified so I drank sleeping medication prior to my flight to kick in as I was Airborne, never Ate or drank anything as I was in a deep Nap for an intense 3hour period and as we arrived in Addis we were told flight to Dubai is delayed for four hours and please keep in mind I was travelling on extreme budget measures that even in transit I didn't buy anything in Ethiopia yet I was amused by seeing the country for the first time and one Travel companion advised this is where they hold African European Union meetings where all our heads of states meet to discuss the outcomes of countries diversities and improvements. I nodded my head and smiled saying inside "Must be nice" I was terrified to stay alone as I heard too that pirates that adapt Travelers were from this place so my heartbeat went from 20kbps to 100kbps, I wanted to be out of there as soon as possible. It got weird for me as during the waiting period to transit we were scanned one by one and advised to remove our shoes, belts, and any shiny objects... Physically we got searched too after the machine scans which we were advised it a protocol for travelling beings to Dubai. Finally flight came to take us another 5 hours to Final destination yet now I was more doubtful if I wanted to proceed with this journey or chicken out to revert home. As I boarded the Aircraft I quickly ran to the restroom to kneel down n Pray again seeking protection, Guidance and tranquility. Fortunately I wasn't sleepy on last journey and managed to eat and drank one Glass of Chandonnay to calm me down. As we landed in Dubai we were at Terminal3 Everyone spoke Arabic who worked at the airport and the guy assisting me said all Emirates visa holders must disembark at Terminal 1...Looked and ran around the Airport seeking an English speaker that worked there n possibly for Emirates to help and translate for me that I was to please disembark at current terminal as the person picking me up had been waiting for hours n after receiving the help finally I was depressed to hear my Sister is in Exile as her Work permit n visa expired and she had to go wait outside of Dubai for 1month and with limited support structure. 3days after my arrival she calls me crying saying it's hard to seek a better life out here n I cried too.