ANXIETY KICKS IN!
Standard
Getting off the plane in Riyadh to take a domestic flight to Jeddah was another ordeal for me. I was anxious because I was not familiar to the place and the language… and honestly… I was scared of the people (watching too much television, he he he). I got off the plane confidently and then when I came close to the end of the tunnel, I saw two men in white polo shirts (Saudi nationals) who were calling out to us saying “Jed-dah! Dam-mam!”. I was about to stop and ask them where I would go to have my plane ride to Jeddah, but I noticed the people just passing by them… and so I did the same. Then, I didn't know what to do or where to go next when I saw people getting in line with what seems to be the Immigration. I had to read what was written above those cubicles because I wouldn't want to join the wrong cue. I saw the sign “New Entry/Visitors” and so that was where I went. I was one of the first to get out of the plane, so I got to the cue early on and was about 3 to 4 people behind the immigration line. I noticed that the line was getting longer and I have not moved an inch. Some were saying that there was a problem with the computer or something and the people who were in the other line were entertained first. I started to remember that I was not given the long strip of paper that was usually submitted to the Immigration officer… so I looked behind, looked at my watch and bravely decided to step out of the line to go look for that paper… or if I could be brave enough, ask someone where I could get it. The line was very long as I passed looking for that paper… Then finally, I noticed a table at the back with papers scattered all over. I grabbed one piece and took out my pen. I decided then to get back in line and fill up the form. I didn't care staying at the end of the cue though, as long as I get to fill up my paper first. As I was about to join the cue, a man stopped me in my tracks and asked me with a loud angry-like voice, where I was going. I told him that I was going to join the line. Then he said “NO! Where are you going?” with his Middle East accent. Then I finally understood and said that I was going to Jeddah. I showed him my passport and he said to me “No, no , no. Come.” I thought I was in trouble or something, but he lead me to a shorter line with the sign GCC above it. I didn't know then what that GCC stands for, but I obliged and stood on the cue waiting for my turn as there was a couple who where ahead of me. And when it was my turn, 2 women covered with their tarha and abaya walked passed me. I was stunned because they didn't care to join the line…or even wait for their turn. I did not bother then since it would be my turn anyway. There were a couple of people behind me who were fully covered in black but I made sure that I move forward or else they’ll cut me again.
So, I got through immigration and I had to look for my box and luggage. I looked to my left and to my right, but I couldn't see where the conveyor was. So I had to wait for a few people to get out of the immigration and then I followed them. I immediately saw my stuff all on the floor, including the guitar that my brother asked me to buy and bring over. Good thing I had the baggage trolley with me, it was not easy to put my box on it for lack of handles (something I have to take note next time). Then I place my apple green luggage on top of the box, carried the guitar over my shoulder and then my hand carry bag. As I was to leave the area, I had to carry all my stuff over the x-ray conveyor again. So one by one, I carried and place the stuff on the conveyor. The male security did not care to help me at all. As I remember, there were 3 of them just chatting. Then I was followed by a male Filipino and thought I could ask him where the domestic airport was. He pointed towards the right direction, then suddenly one of the male security called our attention. The Filipino man explained that I was just asking for directions, but the security didn't want to hear any explanation and asked for our passports. My “Kababayan” (as what Filipinos call each other here) just told me to show my passport and left me in haste. I was scared, but I obliged anyway just so that I won’t put myself in deeper trouble. I handed my passport and the man looked at each page. He looked at me and asked “You have family here?”, “Yes” I replied. Then he began to laugh. It scared me honestly. He was just looking at my passport and laughing. Then after he handed it back to me, I immediately turned my back and left him. I was still shaking after that incident and at the same time scared of not knowing where to go next. I didn't want to walk around the huge airport just looking for the domestic area. So I decided to ask the next security I saw for directions. He told me to go to the left and walk straight till the end (The Filipino guy told me it was on the right side???). Trusting the security guy, I followed his directions. And so, I started that long walk to the domestic side.
When I reached the end of the airport building, I didn't find the check-in counter for the domestic side. I was frantic… and was walking back and forth, not feeling the weight of the guitar and my bag on my shoulder. Good thing I saw the counter of the airport police. I slowly walk towards the counter and saw this big man in a police uniform. I spoke to him in English and asked him where the domestic airport was. He didn't get me at first so I showed him my passport and showed Jeddah. He finally understood me and showed me the second floor. I said thank you and then I walked to find for the way to go up. I did see the escalator, but with my box and luggage, I cannot use that way. I went back to the police man to ask for the elevator. He again did not understand me and then I showed him my trolley with the box and luggage. And then he said “Lift!”, I smiled and said “yes!”. I then thanked him as he led me to the elevator. As I reached the second floor, I immediately scanned the area for the check-in counter. But before I could reach it, I had to put my stuff in the x-ray conveyor again. And I had to enter a small room beside it to be checked by a female security. After a thorough check, I proceeded to get my stuff again. I was asking for the security to bring in a trolley since the check-in counter is about 15 meters away from where I was, but he said it’s not allowed. He then called for a porter to assist me. The man picked up my box and carried it up to the counter, as I wheeled my luggage, and now feeling the weight of the guitar and bag over my shoulder. As I was leaving the counter, the porter stood there waiting for me. I tried to ignore him, but he caught up with me and asked if I had money. I said that I didn't have any with me since I just arrived from the Philippines. He said, any amount will do. As I looked into my wallet, all I had was 3 thousand peso paper bills and 8 US dollars. I took out the $3 and handed it to him, but he said that it was not enough. I then brought out the $5 and gave it to him and he handed me the $3. He was even looking over my wallet to see if I had more, but I slipped it immediately inside my bag and walked fast to enter and proceed to the waiting area. Again, I had to put my hand carry and guitar on the x-ray conveyor (good thing my box and luggage were now checked-in). I had to enter another room for another thorough check. The female security moved her hands with the gadget from my legs to my pelvic, my abdomen, back, to breast. It was uncomfortable even if the security was a female. Anyways, I got through and collected my stuff again. I entered like a big hall with large sign boards indicating which gate it was. There were small areas for drinks and food… I was not really hungry that time, but I started to feel thirsty. I wanted to buy a drink, but I remembered that I didn’t have their currency yet. When I looked at my watch, I realized that I was 2 hours early for my flight. So I sat there, looked around and just sent text messages to my mother until the load was finished.
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So, when I entered the airplane, which was relatively smaller than what was used for international flights, I found my seat with the help of the Filipino flight attendant. I was having mixed emotions because I was a bit scared and amazed seeing that I was surrounded by the locals who where all covered. It was like seeing Biblical characters when I saw men in their tobe and head cover. I sat beside a pregnant woman who was all covered in black even with her hands covered with black gloves and her face totally covered. She was handing her child to the other lady in front of us but was in the other lane. I didn't know if I was allowed to hold her child, so I asked her in English if I’m allowed to hold the child because I was seated between them. I don’t know if the mother understood me, but she nodded just the same.
So, I got through immigration and I had to look for my box and luggage. I looked to my left and to my right, but I couldn't see where the conveyor was. So I had to wait for a few people to get out of the immigration and then I followed them. I immediately saw my stuff all on the floor, including the guitar that my brother asked me to buy and bring over. Good thing I had the baggage trolley with me, it was not easy to put my box on it for lack of handles (something I have to take note next time). Then I place my apple green luggage on top of the box, carried the guitar over my shoulder and then my hand carry bag. As I was to leave the area, I had to carry all my stuff over the x-ray conveyor again. So one by one, I carried and place the stuff on the conveyor. The male security did not care to help me at all. As I remember, there were 3 of them just chatting. Then I was followed by a male Filipino and thought I could ask him where the domestic airport was. He pointed towards the right direction, then suddenly one of the male security called our attention. The Filipino man explained that I was just asking for directions, but the security didn't want to hear any explanation and asked for our passports. My “Kababayan” (as what Filipinos call each other here) just told me to show my passport and left me in haste. I was scared, but I obliged anyway just so that I won’t put myself in deeper trouble. I handed my passport and the man looked at each page. He looked at me and asked “You have family here?”, “Yes” I replied. Then he began to laugh. It scared me honestly. He was just looking at my passport and laughing. Then after he handed it back to me, I immediately turned my back and left him. I was still shaking after that incident and at the same time scared of not knowing where to go next. I didn't want to walk around the huge airport just looking for the domestic area. So I decided to ask the next security I saw for directions. He told me to go to the left and walk straight till the end (The Filipino guy told me it was on the right side???). Trusting the security guy, I followed his directions. And so, I started that long walk to the domestic side.
When I reached the end of the airport building, I didn't find the check-in counter for the domestic side. I was frantic… and was walking back and forth, not feeling the weight of the guitar and my bag on my shoulder. Good thing I saw the counter of the airport police. I slowly walk towards the counter and saw this big man in a police uniform. I spoke to him in English and asked him where the domestic airport was. He didn't get me at first so I showed him my passport and showed Jeddah. He finally understood me and showed me the second floor. I said thank you and then I walked to find for the way to go up. I did see the escalator, but with my box and luggage, I cannot use that way. I went back to the police man to ask for the elevator. He again did not understand me and then I showed him my trolley with the box and luggage. And then he said “Lift!”, I smiled and said “yes!”. I then thanked him as he led me to the elevator. As I reached the second floor, I immediately scanned the area for the check-in counter. But before I could reach it, I had to put my stuff in the x-ray conveyor again. And I had to enter a small room beside it to be checked by a female security. After a thorough check, I proceeded to get my stuff again. I was asking for the security to bring in a trolley since the check-in counter is about 15 meters away from where I was, but he said it’s not allowed. He then called for a porter to assist me. The man picked up my box and carried it up to the counter, as I wheeled my luggage, and now feeling the weight of the guitar and bag over my shoulder. As I was leaving the counter, the porter stood there waiting for me. I tried to ignore him, but he caught up with me and asked if I had money. I said that I didn't have any with me since I just arrived from the Philippines. He said, any amount will do. As I looked into my wallet, all I had was 3 thousand peso paper bills and 8 US dollars. I took out the $3 and handed it to him, but he said that it was not enough. I then brought out the $5 and gave it to him and he handed me the $3. He was even looking over my wallet to see if I had more, but I slipped it immediately inside my bag and walked fast to enter and proceed to the waiting area. Again, I had to put my hand carry and guitar on the x-ray conveyor (good thing my box and luggage were now checked-in). I had to enter another room for another thorough check. The female security moved her hands with the gadget from my legs to my pelvic, my abdomen, back, to breast. It was uncomfortable even if the security was a female. Anyways, I got through and collected my stuff again. I entered like a big hall with large sign boards indicating which gate it was. There were small areas for drinks and food… I was not really hungry that time, but I started to feel thirsty. I wanted to buy a drink, but I remembered that I didn’t have their currency yet. When I looked at my watch, I realized that I was 2 hours early for my flight. So I sat there, looked around and just sent text messages to my mother until the load was finished.
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So, when I entered the airplane, which was relatively smaller than what was used for international flights, I found my seat with the help of the Filipino flight attendant. I was having mixed emotions because I was a bit scared and amazed seeing that I was surrounded by the locals who where all covered. It was like seeing Biblical characters when I saw men in their tobe and head cover. I sat beside a pregnant woman who was all covered in black even with her hands covered with black gloves and her face totally covered. She was handing her child to the other lady in front of us but was in the other lane. I didn't know if I was allowed to hold her child, so I asked her in English if I’m allowed to hold the child because I was seated between them. I don’t know if the mother understood me, but she nodded just the same.
I was relieved when our plane touched down in Jeddah, KSA after 1 and a half hour travel from Riyadh. The plane did not stop near the building, but somewhere in the beside the run way. There were tram or bus-like vehicles waiting for all the passengers so it would take them to the airport building. I didn't know what I was doing, but I followed the people just the same. As I stepped in to get a ride, I avoided looking around or starring at individuals inside. But my eyes caught sight of this man who had his back turned and was only wearing a white towel wrapped around his waste and body. I was wondering why he would do that considering that this was a conservative place. I observed that the people around him did not bother, so I dismissed anything that came to mind on the reason why he was dressed as such.
After a few days, I told my mother regarding that weird guy who was just wrapped in a white towel in the airport. And I finally understood why the people did not mind him dressed as such. It is because people who would be going to Meccah have to go through a cleansing ceremony and that is why they were in towels only.
I guess anxiety gives you adventure after all.
