Outside my square box by Shirley Matthews (books suggested by bill gates .txt) 📕

freezing. It took ten minutes before a cab stopped. The price was okay and the driver picked up my suitcase and beckoned me inside.
This became the most frightening drive of my life while workers shoveled sand onto the greasy roads, the four or five lanes of traffic moved at a snail’s pace in the dangerous conditions.
Usually a 40 minute ride, I had allowed six hours. Even though the airport road was closed and we had to go around the long way, surely I would make it.
What a trip. The driver negotiated the dangerous roads, sliding and tooting horn constantly, but after travelling for awhile, I started to relax. I realized the taxi driver was quite good. He simply nodded and jabbered something when I showed him the terminal address again.
The long frightening drive took three hours. My fare was 120 yuans, approx $18. He beamed when I gave him $200. He ran to get me a trolley, piled my baggage on, shook my hand and left.
As I pushed my trolley towards the entrance, it slipped in the snow and overturned onto the roadway pinning me underneath it. It was so heavy and awkward. I was stuck there until two very kind people came to my rescue They helped me inside and I went to book in.
The attendant told me I was four hours early. At last someone who could speak English. He showed me where the entrance gate was and told me to wait until called.
I went into the food-hall get something to eat. I was in for a pleasant surprise. The menu included sandwiches and real coffee. They cost me as much as my taxi fare and were great. I had forgotten how good bread tasted even in the short time I had been away from Brisbane.
It was interesting watching travelers’ bustling around. I could still not see another white
person. At last the gates opened. Passengers were handing over cards before entering. Of course when I asked for one the man could not understand me. I saw some people going to a separate counter and followed them and yes, there were the elusive cards. I then proceeded through.
Handing over my electronic details, the check-in lady said, ‘You are not meant to be here, you should be leaving from Shanghai!’ I stared at her.
‘No, my ticket was changed. Here’s all the paperwork confirming it.’
Her English was not good and she could not understand me.
‘Is there anyone here who speaks English?’ I asked tentatively.
She rang someone and within a few minutes another lady speaking perfect English organized my booking but said they not take my luggage.
‘No! My letter says my luggage would be booked direct through to Brisbane.’
After a few phone calls, she agreed that she could book it through.
The only shop at the airport was closed. I took a final look at the surrounding countryside. The whole area was blanketed in a thick layer of snow. I could now appreciate its beauty.
They announced my flight would be an hour late leaving and eventually I boarded the plane.
Settling down to watch a video, lunch was served and I had a most welcome glass of wine.
The pilot announced we would be late arriving in Singapore, due to the snow. Once again I became edgy. What if I missed my connecting flight? I would only have 25 minutes to make the connection. I asked one of the airline stewards if he thought I would get there in time. He went to find out which gate we would land at and where the Emirates flight would leave from.
‘Bad news, we are landing at the end of the brand new terminal three and your connection will leave from terminal one.’and handed me a map showing where to go.
‘Do you think I could sit in Business class so that I could get off the plane quicker?’
‘I will check, I don’t see why not,it is almost empty up there,’and disappeared to find out from his supervisor.
He soon returned and told me to gather my belongings and follow him. I felt very special sitting in the luxurious seat and thought how great it would be to travel in this style all the time.
‘When you get out of the plane, walk for five minutes to catch the air train. Ride this for about five minutes, walk approx 15 minutes to the next air train stop, and then another five minutes ride will take you to terminal one. From there proceed to the Emirates information centre to get your seat allocation another 10 minutes.
I was becoming frantic and raced through the airport and finally reached the Emirates desk, horrified at the enormous queue waiting there. I showed an assistant my ticket and thankfully was ushered to the front of the queue where I handed over my electronic ticket. Dumbstruck, the attendant said, ‘Sorry, that flight is already closed. Too late to board now, you will have to wait for the next flight in 6 hours. It’s not your fault, so there will be no charge!”
Then almost immediately, another message came over the speaker, advising the flight to Brisbane was delayed and I was able to be processed. I didn’t mind how long I waited, I was going home.
Finally I was on the plane.It was 1.30. I was exhausted and soon fell asleep.
The flight was uneventful and after clearing customs went to collect my baggage. Everyone else had retrieved theirs but mine was nowhere in sight. I went over to the missing luggage desk and waited 45 minutes to fill in the necessary forms and was advised my luggage would be sent to my home address when they located it. Who cared! I was home and went through two doors to a very relieved daughter waiting for me. They never did find it.
This was the last drama in my attempt to move out of my square box. I was six thousand dollars poorer but felt after all this I could survive anything
Imprint

Publication Date: 01-08-2010

All Rights Reserved