2. Clearing Cairo Customs

by Trevor Avedissian

Waving Catie goodbye I strode towards the departure gate feeling excited, revelling in the first real “I’m on my way” moment. Denying myself that priviledge until now made it twice as enjoyable. Most of the flight I spent poring over itineraries and info on Egypt.

Upon arrival in Sydney it seemed like a good idea to go for a drink with Zoe, the charming young lady with whom I’d been chatting on the plane. But as a result I missed the last shuttle to the International Terminal and had to leg it to the train station… The load I was carrying helped clarify that Contingency Number 1 was under way… Albeit no fault of Egypt’s, this sweat was all self inflicted.

By the time I reached International check-in I heard “final boarding call for Etihad flight 455 to Abu Dhabi, would the last passenger please get his tardy arse to Gate 61 Asap” it was there I began to wonder if I’m late…

At the Etihad counter, as I started to ask a question, the three anxious check-in staff asked me “are you Mr Avedissian?” I nodded dumbly as they quickly ushered me to run to the gate immediately. Doh! I realised I was really late. But as I ran the lengthy corridors I suddenly remembered I hadn’t cashed up yet, with no ATM nearby, I had to race off in the complete opposite direction to find one, urged on by continued final boarding calls which by now, to me, sounded like Daleks!!!

By the time I got to my seat in the plane, sweat was trickling down my face and I quietly berated myself for once again not arriving in a timely fashion. I guess I’m still a ‘last-minute-specialist’ as my mate Falkiner used to call me. As the plane quickly taxied off it suddenly dawned on me, I hadn’t cancelled my mobile phone account nor changed the message to one that stated I’d be o.s. for the next several months. Ever tried to make a quick call to Telstra? Let alone one while taxiing down the runway when all phones should be off? Massive fail.

To be honest I wasn’t much looking forward to 25 hours of air travel so was happy to discover Etihad’s service was excellent, possibly the best airline I’ve flown. Great food, that Lamb Biryani dinner was goood, movies galore to watch and the seat seemed for once to have ergonomics that make sense.

Before I knew it I was in Abu Dhabi going through customs where I had to empty my computer bag which had laptop, office and a host of other electronic gear and stuff, but it was my rack of harmonicas which caught the suspicion of the stern looking customs agent to whom I had to play an impromtu blues riff to show it was an instrument of music not war. Didn’t get the vibe he dug the blues…

Having hand-held the camera since leaving the Gold Coast, it wasn’t until Cairo Customs that it was scrutinised for the first time with interest. Two officers came over to inspect and discussed between themselves as they peered into my bags full of portable drives, microphones & stuff, poking through my gear like shoppers at a garage sale.

Customs officers inspect my camera

“Professional?” one of them asked of my camera.

“Nah not fully” I replied.

“What you do for work?” he asked.

“I run a website” I said.

“You can’t have that here” he said of the camera, “put it in bag” which he commandeered as he spoke.

“What’s this” he asked as he presented me my toilet kit.

“Toothbrush, soap” I replied as I unzipped it …. He seemed disappointed by its insignificance.

”Here you can’t have camera” he said finally, “put in bag”. I thought oh shit, here we go, they’re gonna confiscate it. But once I stowed it in the bag he and his colleague turned their backs to me, continuing the conversation they were having before I got there. I realised he meant I couldn’t have the camera in my hand, it had to be in the bag.

Without further ado I made a bee line for the exit doors which were flanked on each side by crowds of people, some holding signs with names on them and others scouting for customers to offer their wares and services to… I readied myself to meet Egyptian culture for the first time and strode forth…

Previous episode:

1. From Tweed Heads to Egypt