Incredulous

Abu Dhabi

My connecting flight was delayed, and so was everybody else’s. Too foggy. Zero visibility. We were crammed at Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates all constipated and desperately needing a shower. I went inside a shop to buy toiletries. The salesclerk suddenly lectured about airport anti-terrorist policies relevant to liquids and such. It was apparent she wasn’t keen on selling. It’s all right, I said. My plane is leaving for Paris anytime soon. Her eyes bulged in disbelief. She thought all Filipino travelers are bound for work in the Middle East. I suddenly became interesting to her.