Comedy of ERRORS

While Singapore offers immense opportunity to enjoy the various attractions it has, the international airport can be a complete destination by itself to catch on if one fails to visit the country’s sites. Let me share my experiences at the airport during my recent short business visit that turned out to be a comedy of errors.

“Not many airports around the world are carpeted extensively like this one,” said one of my fellow traveler (and a friend), as his first reaction after we landed at the Changi Airport Singapore, who was traveling with me for our short business trip of one and a half day in Singapore. The immense horizon of the airport terminal provided us with an experience of a lifetime. I was looking forward to this country visit but hey, first let me check out the airport itself – a great excursion place to be in!

We were invited by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to know about their latest cabin products offering to India bound travelers, the catering unit of SATS and the airline training centre. SIA’s public affairs executive received us, a group of journalists, and escorted to the SilverKris Lounge. This lounge of the Singapore Airlines is immaculately designed. As we reached quite early in the morning there (as the Rolex watch with golden outlining was pointing in the lounge) and had to proceed for a business conference directly from there, we were asked to freshen up ourselves at the airport itself, which appeared weird prime facie.

Since I was hungrier by then, I checked out the buffet first, which was not only elaborate but sumptuous too. After gorging some stuff quickly, I experienced the best of washrooms that even hotels fail to deliver. Immaculately designed, it provides with the basic necessities to get fresh and enjoyed my 10 minutes of amazing shower experience. Though, our group consisted of 21 people from New Delhi and Mumbai, none complained getting refreshed at the airport because that turned out to be a more pampering aspect of our tour that we never thought earlier.

After the hot shower, I returned to the breakfast zone again, guess it had an effect and forced me to take another round of the buffet. The design of the lounge was also interesting too. I noticed that the ceiling is an elaborate structure of air conditioning vents and so on that gets concealed with the fine bars used as ceiling; when viewed with an angle, it conceals the grey matter inside but looking up vertically, one can check all the gadgetries.

While appreciating the artistry of the lounge and sipping my cup of tea, a middle aged German drew my attention. He walked from his dining table and looked for some beverage. He was about to get a cup of tea or coffee as he proceeded towards the coffee making machine. He pressed one of the machine buttons without any outcome. Obviously, that fellow was trying one of the beverage choices out there but failed to succeed. He pressed the button once again but met with the same result. He was visibly miffed at the machine and his bad luck. As his eyesight crossed mine, I signaled him about no water in the machine that he needs to feed. He chuckled… and went towards a stewardess to resolve the pending matter.

As we proceeded towards the immigration counter after that it surprised me that the Terminal 3 is yet to be formally inaugurated on July 25 by the Singapore Prime Minister. We reached there two days before experiencing the complete service that will be formally opened to the world, though the soft launch took place way back in February this year, I enquired. Before the immigration area, we went pass Section A of Terminal 3. This zone welcomes Airbus 380 passengers and I felt good knowing that. Hopefully someday, will be crossing from that area, I wished.

Next day, that is July 24, we were back again at the airport to make a departure for India. There was this sense of incompleteness. Nonetheless we checked in our luggage and by mistake, I had left my immigration slip inside that I am supposed to pose at the counter during emigration. I was sweating profusely. I was asked to get the verification done from another counter and I proceeded mutely. There, the lady I confronted with will remain etched in my memory for long. She brutally murdered my confidence and asked me about my arrival date, flight numbers… and so on. Suddenly I felt everything has been erased from my memory. I was unable to recall today’s date and was counting out on my luck. God! I’m the most peace loving person on this planet, don’t interrogate me like this! It was just yesterday when I arrived on this land but the tension crept in so badly that I fumbled to recognize the date.

Nonetheless, at the end, I got a life when the officials verified that am not a terrorist and just a mere skeleton body that can be blown away easily by air. Huh! I was verified and asked to go ahead and not to repeat this mistake again in my life. Timidly, I promised so.

After getting a new lease of life, I tried to track my group who had already scattered for their shopping spree at the DFS zones. And so did I. During that time I met a sweet lady in the chocolate shop helping me in selecting the right ones for my colleagues. And then encountered another one just opposite to the earlier shop where I purchased ear tops for my sister-in-law and a pendant for my mom. While delivering the stuff, she said, next time around get it for your wife. I said, “Yeah, definitely. I will surely get married soon in India to come back here to oblige you.” She laughed. That laugh will stay with me…

With all my purchase done, I confined myself to the Internet zone where apparently I met another Indian young guy pursuing mass communication course came here for a cultural exchange programme. We chatted and exchanged cards. He wishes to become a director some day and I requested to book me for a role then. He assured so. Forgetting the time while chatting he asked me about my flight’s time. It was scheduled for 1850 hours departure. Again, I started perspiring as the clock showed 1830 hours. Bidding him goodbye, I rushed and managed to catch the flight on time. Reaching the cabin, I saw my business friends relaxing on their seats and I quickly ordered some wine to quench my thirst.

While my journey back I realized, there was hardly much time to experience the country. Nonetheless, I was at ease and felt complete of my stay here. The airport with its good, bad and ugly experiences that it stored for me made it a true script for a holiday. Next time around I don’t mind having business meetings at the airport itself and if business travelers across the world start doing so, then Singapore Tourism should ideally Blame It On Changi to rest their case on.