Transit in Heathrow…it is massive – first time here. But highly irritated at the same time. I was in Geneva 3 hours before to check so that I can cruise around one last time before departing only to encounter the hassles of Olympic Airlines’ incompetence and British Airways’ ridiculous rules!
Ideally I was to fly from Geneva – Athens (with an 8hrs transit) – Johannesburg, on Wednesday Olympic airlines (which I have a ticket with) called me to change my itenary to Geneva – London – Athens –Johannesburg – I was not about to complain as I had not been to London before and they saved me the 8hrs I was to spend in Athens at 40 degrees doing nothing (actually reading my newly acquired The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama). I had 4 items of luggage i.e. two suitcase and two backpacks…..being the ‘goody’ that I am I went ahead to check-in one suitcase and one backpack and the others were going to be hand luggage, and to allow myself to have ample time to have breakfast with Linda and Luca before leaving…I arrived to check in and then I was told that the policy of British Airlines is to allow only one bag per passenger for check-in (…what the f**ck, since when?) even though I was below the prescribed weight allowance for check-in luggage. Luca, Linda and I ran around the airport looking for a bag at a reasonable rate for an airport…we found one at 70 CHF (R450)…I packed luggage of two bags into one and then headed off to the check-in desk again and it was checked in alright even though it weight 26 Kg.
07.07.08 – 13h42pm
…went through Heathrow to get to my terminal and I must say it is big is not that pretty! N’way boarded and landed in Athens – It felt like 40 degrees when we stepped out of the plain into the airport and I met a Xhosa and an Indian women and heated off into a conversation about the uncultured English young people and the rest of Europe for that matter, the soaring prices of bread and petrol in S.A. and all that could come to mind while we waited for the Athens – Johannesburg connection which was late and when we finally did get on – the food was horrible, could not eat much except drink water and juice!! Its understandable as they were the cheapest airline I got in this high season and I would travel with them again (this time get a day or two in athens for a tan J) but carry a lunch box with me.
…Landed in South Africa, for the first time noticed that there is a South Africa and an African check-in section - customs for passports at the airport similar to Europe where they say EU and Non EU passports queues, I was proud! This might seem like a randon statement but when you have travelled first worlds and have had hassles at customs due to an African passport you would know what I am talking about.
I am home, sitting in a mall at house of coffees finishing this blog and planning my two days stay in Johannesburg and life in general. I feel the pinch of rising prices…got into a taxi this morning and it costs R8 than a previous R5 and the tea I am having costs similar to the taxi fair, but for some reason people are still flocking into clothing shops to get some new goodies that will make their bodies twist and turn better with the midday breeze and capture the eye’s attention! I am holding tight to my wallet, gallivanting the world can hurt your pocket quite a bit.
14.07.08 – 14h45pm
Now I am home, I get out when the sun is sitting in the mid-sky because it is damn cold down here. I am at a friend’s house – my usual urgent thinking and behavior have subsided, ideally o should be on holiday and relax but I am bored already for doing nothing except eating to fatten myself up…
Well I gotta go, my internet time is about to lapse, I miss my limitless wireless back in Bern!
