It was a shinning morning of April 29, 2012 which transformed into a hot day. A person (that's me :D) was preparing his belongings to take off at 7:50 PM from Karachi, Pakistan to Dubai, U.A.E. via Eritrean Airline. Nothing too magical but it was the first flight in his life so some excitement at this stage was normal.
Reached at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi much more time before the flight i.e. around 5:30 PM. After passing through luggage checking and enquiry (in doubting style just as i was a criminal) and then boarding pass with a seat alloting (took window seat especially to enjoy my first flight :) ) and then intizaar (waiting) at lounge.
Offered prayers (Asr, Maghrib), made and received well wishers' good bye phone calls and then headed towards the plane. Received by the East African Air Hostess ;) who guided me about my seat in a dramatic style and i thanked them being amazed by this style (Remember while reading that these all were my first experiences). Reached to my seat which was occupied by a person being confusion in seating arrangement " (FED " (If you had flew before, you must know it). I sat down at 17-D as 17-F (my alloted seat) was already filled, but then i asked him to excuse me and let me have my seat and here i was on the window seat (thinking in mind how amazing Almighty Allah made the human mind who bring into reality such innovative creations)
Plane was taking off and in a short moment cars and roads was just as shown in Google Maps and in a short while we were over the sea ( could not watch out anymore, reason: REFLECTION as lights of the plane turned on). Met to temporary neighbours, person on seat E was going to dubai to assist his brother in business and seat D guy was Receptionist at Gloria Hotel near BURJ KHALIFA. Had a long discussion about why pakistan is going through these crisis, Satan disguised in Peer Fakeer form and why people become victim of them. What as a muslim we should do and what we are doing etc. Had dinner in between the discussion and here the real challanges started when we land.
On reaching Dubai Airport and heading towards Eye Scanning and Immigration Hall we passed through lot of elevators (It is a huge airport). Hall was extremely full, so many travelers were in the queues. We (Me and my hamsafars) found a queue which was a bit shorter than others. Rengtay Rengtay (Very Slowly) we were going forward in the queand after about 1.5 hour it was my turn. Passport, Visa provided to officer, Retina scanning done... and he just shown me that my name on Visa was different than in Passport (AHMED WAQAS instead of WAQAS AHMED)... WT*! he gave me a piece of paper written "SOMETHING Al Ism" (don't remember exactly but the meaning was extracted by me, it was "Difference/Ambiguity in Name") and sent me to Room. I took it this to Room 1 and he asked me to pay 130 Dirham :( saying that pay this fine in bank for correction. I argued him a bit that it is not the mistake made by me and if this amount could be reduced (130 * 25, calculation tou chal he rahi hoti haina dimagh mei :P), he was so calm saying that how much are you willing to pay? 2 dirham? i got astonished listening that. then another arabi officer said in anger that this is an official fine, it is your and your visa company problem, pay 130 Dirham otherwise i will deport you. And i back off, just went to bank and got ticket by paying 130 AED, submitted to officer and headed towards the baggage claim area with the tiring feelings.
As it took me quite long in this process, my hamsafars had gone and my flight was not enlisted on screen of baggage collection points anymore.. Enquired from Officer, he checked it out on Computer and i collected my luggage from point 6... then scanning of baggage and i KHUROOJ (Exit) from Terminal 1. As guided i started finding BUS STAND and reached there to wait for my route bus. (Whatever i had to ask to someone, i always got indians and pakistanis to talk even in urdu).
Bus arrived i got into it and i asked an indian to punch my Card (was not quite sure how check-in and check-out works to deduct the amount so thought not to experiment instead i relied upon asking), after a short while i had a look at the side window where a transparent sticker sticked saying that "Ladies and Families only". I warned the indian about it (he was a poor guy from Madras), he said no problem and i relaxed though not satisfied (also i saw a guy was standing although we had seat empty, i didn't get at that time why he is not sitting, dimagh ki batti nahi jali pori tarha may be due to tireness).
And then on the next stop a SHOURTA came for regular checking...(what i thought at that time :D) he asked for our bus cards and employee cards or passport... i just gave him both the things thinking he is just verifying something... but he finally said that you people come behind me. Why! ??? You are at the wrong compartment... again WT*! huh... checked out and got down with baggage... I asked the indian now what? he said we will request him and here i go... (finally Allah g nay battian jaladein me k mind ki) i thought to request to let me go and apologize for my act and that "ANA LA MALOOM" i requested in such speed that i just landed today and i was not quite sure which bus to take and how to punch the card and i was so nervous due to which this happend and i would not do it again.. and YA he actually showed some flexibility... and finally after charging them all 110 AED... left me without charge also he helped me in taking the bus and punching the card (although i knew the process by that time but for the sake of being innocent :D) and he also let the driver know that i need assistance for my destination stop AND FINALLY I WAS IN THE ROOM AT 1 AM.
It is not a very big place but people are somehow co-operative.. (11 persons including me in this small room jo apnay mulk mei meray akelay ka room hai at roof) most are pakistanis in this room 1 indian bhi hai (ab tk kuch he logun say baat hwi hai) it is morning of Apr 30. Now going to have a round of town.
MORAL: Halat o waqiat logun ko dekh kr i can surely say... Her Chamakti Chez Sona Nahi Hoti.
