The welcome I received at Yangon Airport earlier this week forced my fingers with this post. There I was in this massive queue (2500 arrivals each day now). I finally arrive at the immigration desk and face the official. He adjusts the camera with a smile. I catch myself just in time. Breaking into Hindi with ‘lumba adhmee’ (tall man) won’t further broaden the smile on this side of the border. And then no sooner has he apologised for the queue and he announces to me, ‘Welcome, Mr Paul’.
That has got to win the award for friendliest welcome ever at an airport. So my mind drifted across to a few other awards up my sleeve…
for the most remarkable transformation
Bangalore
from mud-hut to maharaja palace
for the most grumpy pills taken by immigration officials
Los Angeles
whatever extra it costs to go via San Francisco, it is worth it
for the most technology-adverse
Mt Hagen (PNG)
dig away – your baggage will be in that dumped mountain somewhere
for ‘I’ll be back – but only if God calls me to go back’
Lagos
50hr journey, dim-lights, low-flying fans threatening to behead me, guns everywhere, custom officials playing TYO ‘take-your-own’ with my possessions … all helped unnerve me a bit
for oxymoronic excellence
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a dead heat
how do these Arab airports sell so much of the worst from the west which they supposedly hate?
for the longest immigration queue (in that land which invented queues)
London Heathrow
once it extended two-thirds of the way back to the airplane
for most surprise on hearing three words, ‘international transfer desk’?
Perth (with Melbourne as runner-up)
Australia IS lovely, but some people actually do pass through the country
for having a carpet diminish an otherwise exuberant experience
Singapore
never mind – the whole airport is like an airline’s business lounge anyway
for having a carpet enhance the exuberant experience
New Delhi
it is mogul-coloured – how cool is that?!
for the ease with which to arouse smuggling suspicion
Bandung (Indonesia)
goodness me?! they even went through the lining of my suitcase
for most likely to inspire car-usage
Wellington
‘NZ is such a beautiful country – I really do prefer to drive … 8 hours!’
for most likely to stay competitive
Kuala Lumpur
their eyes never seem to leave Singapore – and it works
for being most paranoid about security
Hong Kong
‘so we go through security in London – then 12 hrs to Hong Kong, with another 12 hours onto New Zealand beckoning – and you want us to do what while we have 2 hours in transit in HK?’ ‘Oh right – stand in a security line for 90 minutes?!’
for being the best airport to step my feet into and stretch those hammies in a hurry
Auckland
it means I’m home
[With apologies to Latin America and Europe where I have traveled very little]
nice chatting
Paul
About Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
Recent Posts
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I've always been with you on LAX, Paul…but, my last few trips through there, they've clearly been taking happy pills. I have to say, I think they've improved significantly in the past few years.
I'd add two more for you, but don't let them put you off visiting the places:
Most particular (read fussy) about security details:
Leeds/Bradford & Belfast City
Most interesting name for an airport:
George Best Belfast City airport – there's something particularly unusual about naming your airport after the local alcoholic
There's plenty more travel experiences to write about…some time, we can chat about them over a coffee!
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In searching the internet for pictures of the two carpets you mention I was amused to note that your 'best' and 'worst' and by the same company: Brintons.
Changi is here:
http://www.brintons.net/apac/en/project-wall/changi-airport-terminal-3-singapore/
New Dehli is here:
http://www.brintons.net/americas/en/project-wall/delhi-international-airport-limited-dial-new-delhi-india/
And that Changi one must be quite something as you emerge, dazed and confused, from a long-haul flight!
Maybe I'll give LAX one more try, Ben. I guess I could always try evangelising the grumpies?
And Heather, I am very impressed with your research skills. I suspect that New Delhi had its eye on Changi as the standard for which to strive – but then they jumped ahead with their carpet!