Transit in Dubai

This is yours truly from Dubai airport, it is (supposedly) 7h30 a.m., and the 5$ Capuccino Massimo from Costa Coffee is a fine preparation for the coming anti jetlag wake.

As usual, people of various origins and destinations grab a nap all over the terminal, this never fails to remind me of a high class refugee camp, all in transit; does anybody like transit? The diversity is refreshing, and the fun trying to guess nationalities, eavesdropping to catch a language, puzzling over accents, it just never fades.

Getting here is a bit of a challenge. With a 90 day stay and a 60 day visa, they just won't let you go without phoning three managers and finally deciding that it's your problem if you overstay. It always gives one a bit of a sweat, wondering whether they'll let you board, or keep your return ticket without needing to pay a huge (100€) fine. Not so long ago, it seemed easier :). Hardly any queue though, one should count one's blessings!

The first leg of the flight went fine. Decent red wine, Excellent chicken Tikka, bresaola for starters and metal cutlery. Small concession to comfort in a travel world ruled by security... Someone recently got through with a laptop concealing an ammunition clip, the X-Ray doesn't get through 0_o !! There's a future for USB rocket launchers.

I have a nagging feeling that I should be boarding about now. Emirates flight EK 386... Here I come.