You would think that 25 days is a long time, but it really isn't when you are spending it with your loving and caring family. It seemed to me that I was in Armenia for only 3-4 days and now it was the time to move on.
All packed and ready to start a new life.
I had to fly back to Germany for a couple of days, pack all the stuff that I left there and move to Stavanger, Norway where I would spend the next 5 months of my life. I was excited to leave Germany for good, really. After so many months of love/hate relationship with Germany, I decided for myself that it was, indeed, an awesome country, but it was not for ME!
So, flying via Vienna, to Hannover, then take a train to Bremen, then another one to Oldenburg, then a bus for 30 minutes and I would be back to JJW!
My first step, however, was Yerevan Airport. You see, I love airports. I always have. I worked for British Midland International Airways which was one of the most enjoyable jobs that I had, and to me, going to the airport, any airport, is a celebration!
However, I also believe that all the discrimination and racism begin in airports. It's a known and debated topic, and I have followed it for some time. Now, I would say that it usually starts at Passport control, but this time, I have experienced something different.
All packed and ready to start a new life.
I had to fly back to Germany for a couple of days, pack all the stuff that I left there and move to Stavanger, Norway where I would spend the next 5 months of my life. I was excited to leave Germany for good, really. After so many months of love/hate relationship with Germany, I decided for myself that it was, indeed, an awesome country, but it was not for ME!
So, flying via Vienna, to Hannover, then take a train to Bremen, then another one to Oldenburg, then a bus for 30 minutes and I would be back to JJW!
My first step, however, was Yerevan Airport. You see, I love airports. I always have. I worked for British Midland International Airways which was one of the most enjoyable jobs that I had, and to me, going to the airport, any airport, is a celebration!
However, I also believe that all the discrimination and racism begin in airports. It's a known and debated topic, and I have followed it for some time. Now, I would say that it usually starts at Passport control, but this time, I have experienced something different.
I was flying with Austrian Airlines. When I approached the check-in desk and gave my passport and my German Residency Card to the customer service agent. Then, my passport and residency were checked again when entering the boarding area (along with my fingerprints...) and again when I was passing my Border Control officers, then AGAIN during boarding.
Now, I didn't mind all that. Having worked in the field, I knew that it was a silly safety procedure of checking documents on every single point of flying. It was, however, a little bothering. However, what pissed me most was that my documents, (along with all the other passengers' who were flying with me) were checked AGAIN we were about to enter the airplane.
WHAT THE HELL!?
The flight-attendants (aka, people who bring coffee and peanuts to passengers) were now somehow authorised to "check the validity" of the traveling documents of the passengers. As a result, a huge line was formed in front of the airplane, where people were waiting with their heavy carry-ons at 4:30 in the morning for some high-school dropout to check their passports (no offence).
The flight was getting delayed for 15... then 30 minutes... the line was moving slowly and passengers were getting angrier.
When it was finally my turn (although I was only in the middle of the line) I was asked for my passport. The flight-attendant, who was tall, blond, rather young, mid-thirties, looked at me suspiciously, then back again at my passport photo. He repeated that 2-3 more times. Then he started glancing thought the passport and soon found out that my "visa" was expired. He frowned.
Then I gave him my Residency to calm him down, and I did that with a pretty angry face, to let him know about my attitude towards the whole procedure.
- Ah, Deutschland? (Ah, Germany?)
- Ja! (Yes)
I still remembered some of the German I took in high-school, good enough to give an impression that I know it.
- Wo in Deutschland? (Where in Germany?)
I rolled my eyes. Dude, this is not an interview, this is a fucking boarding!
- Oldenburg, - I replied.
- Oldenburg?! Und was machen sie da? (And what are you doing there?)
- Ich studiere. (I study)
He looked at the Residency again, turned it back and forth, and finally gave it to me. I was so angry with this incredibly racist and arrogant gesture of Austrian Airlines of "not trusting" the airport stuff and thinking that they are all bribed, including Border Control staff...
When I reached 6A and put my bag under my seat, I couldn't help but asking the other flight-attendant why this procedure was necessary.
- There were people who didn't have a visa when they arrived to Austria, and they had to be sent back, -she said.
- Do you know if this procedure is implemented with all the airlines stationed in Yerevan, or it's Austrian only?
- I am not sure. I only know that here Austrian Airlines are checking visas and everything.
- Is it a mandatory procedure in all Non-EU stations? - I asked, fearing the answer.
- No, no, no, no, no, - she said, as if what she head was ridiculous. -- only countries like Iraq, Afghanistan... You know. And why are you asking?
- I... I study migration and borders are one of the topics. Nevermind. Thank you. - I said, understanding that showing any more frustration to a flight-attendant will not make it any better.
This time, racism and borders were not in the first stop I made in Schengen zone, it's actually waaaay before I reach it. It's absolutely humiliating. Not that I have anything against Iraq or Afghanistan. Really. But this is ridiculous. What the hell was that?!
Why are we treated like potential criminals who supposedly dream of getting to the "precious" EU?
P.S. No offence.
