Stopover

In my experience, airports can be a mixed bag. The European ones I have been in tend to have been quite bland, whereas the Middle Eastern and Asian ones are usually much more towards the flamboyant end of the spectrum, and can be a full on assault of the senses. When they are quite, I find them almost relaxing. When they are busy, a total nightmare!

I was greeted at Dubai International airport at the beginning of a 3 1/2 hour stop, by a throng of jet-lagged fellow travellers, who seemed to be doing their utmost to get in my way. Not the most helpful when you find yourself pacing up and down an endless line of departure gates, trying to find a toilet not overrun by small children or cleaners. In my desperation to spend a penny and also find a modest spot to put my belt back on (which had had to be removed for the security scan and now left me feeling a bit half-dressed), I had also managed to miss the trolley stop, and my laptop bag was beginning to feel quite heavy. Finally I reached the loos on the other side, but it came as a sharp shock to find that, yes we are actually now in the land of squatty toilets. That always catches me out in the airport! Not quite ready to face tackling that one at the moment, I pray there is a western "seated" loo free. Thank-you Jesus! Rather over-sized and there's water all over the floor, but am I complaining? Not on your life!! Crikey, they flush automatically when you stand up! Nothing like being hurried along by a toilet, eh? Not sure quite how I feel about that one...

I rejoin the hustle in the main waiting area. The airport is huge, and on 3 levels. There are so many people everywhere, the atmosphere is fraught with the tension of travelling at night. I distract myself by inspecting the decor - as I mentioned previously, we have some interesting ideas...there are some crazy lights that look like they have been modelled on UFOs, and some rival designs that are like many small lights on curly wires bent out all over the place. The most ridiculous things has to be the small plantation of giant fake palm trees in the middle of the building. Not really sure what the point of that is... at all!! Mind you, I remember Abu Dhabi airport was like being in the middle of a giant ring donut... Making my way towards Duty Free, I ponder how I'm going to pass the time - still having approximately 2 1/2 hours to go. I'm still lugging my laptop - must get me one of those trolleys!! The endless displays of chocolate and perfume proves rather uninspiring however, even a MAC counter can't tempt me. I browse through some music CD's, rather surprised to find Travis in the "International" section until I remember we're in the UAE... ahem! I'm also particularly amused to find what must be the worlds last great stronghold of cassette tapes. My chuckles are short lived though, and the people around me are starting to really get on my nerves. So is the laptop. Where on earth do you get one of those blinkin' trolleys??!! Everyone else has them!!!!!

I decide on a Costa to calm frayed nerves and give me something to do other than wander aimlessly, although it has to be a take-away as the seating area is packed. I can't pay on my Maestro card, although they will take sterling cash (?!), so I order a hot milk with hazelnut syrup. I get 2 quid change from a fiver.Ermm....? This better be amazing! When it comes, I can't actually taste the syrup, but the guy serving was flirting with me so I smile sweetly and ask for some more. Now it tastes gross! I can't believe this cost 3 pounds. Lesson learnt.