Goodbye Sydney~ Hello Canberra
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My third impression of Australia is that it is EXPENSIVE
and that the people here are inattentive.
Well, to be fair, I have based that entire assessment on a
single transaction at a fast food counter in the local terminal at Sydney
International Airport. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me start at the
beginning.
The plane landed a bit early and so we got to the customs
hall before the crush. I was second in line through passport control when I
arrived and there were only a handful of us at the baggage claim when I arrived.
Waiting for the arrival of the luggage, I had time to watch the notices
circulate a number of times on the electronic message boards above the
carousel.
"Some things should never be brought on a
plane…"
"Australia does not allow the import of any of the
following materials…"
"Be aware and Declare…"
"We use detection dogs to sniff-out contraband…"
"Some things should never be brought on a
plane…"
"Australia does not allow the import of any of the
following materials…"
"Be aware and Declare…"
"We use detection dogs to sniff-out contraband…"
"Some things should never be brought on a
plane…"
"Australia does not allow the import of any of the
following materials…"
"Be aware and Declare…"
"We use detection dogs to sniff-out contraband…"
This last was my favorite because it showed a comical
cartoon beagle sniffing at a suitcase that had a tree growing out of it. I was
trying to work out if the dog had discovered the tree or was looking for a
place to relieve himself.
So you see, I was already in a funky state of mind
when she spoke. "Sir," she said (again?), catching my attention, "Do
you have any food items in your bag?"
I looked at her half-a-moment before I noticed the
uniform. "Uh, no." I said. As she continued. "Any meats,
cheeses, dairy, jerky? Unprocessed fruits?"
The problem was that I could not shake the beagle from my
mind, it seemed odd that this person should be doing this if, in fact, they
used hounds for this purpose. Or was this the beagle now? "Uh, no." I
repeated. "Nothing but some breath mints." I added fishing a tin of
Altoids from my pocket.
Satisfied she turned to talk to the next person. I really
had wished I had come across one of Saga's treats in my pocket, but what can
you do? There is no substitute for timing!
So, having cleared customs, and transferred to the
domestic terminal, it was time to locate the gift of the gods: Coffee! This was
to be another adventure. But as this has gotten a bit long, that will have to
wait for another time!
Wherever you are today, I wish you happy landings and easy
transits!
Don Bergquist – 30 July 2011 – Sydney International Airport, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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