The Fateful 14 May 2008: London 12 Hours

Never mind how I ended up here (one of the Detainment Centre, Heathrow Airporrt, Terminal 3). But I just want to list down the people I brushed my shoulder with in that hellhole, before it is fading in my memory:

- a young, good looking Turkish guy who was denied a student visa but i could clearly look why. he had lived in the UK for three years, studying, but his English is basic.
he couldn't understand my simple sentences, and i always had to rephrase. he was asked by the immigration officer: ".. why you wish to study etc" and the answer was clearly doubtful. without him telling me, i knew that what led him here is the fact that he could earn £50 per day.

- a Nepalite, sweet and pleasant-looking. got here under 6-month visa, and caught for overstaying. he was sent to some detention centre for two months before ended in that spot. he filed for asylum, and was denied. he told me his plan was to just stay and work in the UK for 3 years, and then go home and will never come back. "all i came for is money". he advised me repeatedly (despite my explanation) that i shall not file for asylum.

- an oriental-looking Brazilian girl who came as a tourist, but failed to explain why she didn't have a return ticket, and why she had her professional folder (complete with CVs and a string of reference letters) with her if she's on vacation. she brought some money but it's deemed insufficient for two months traveling in Europe. the verdict is clearly that they doubted her genuine motif. she works in Chicago - under legal working permit. she would be sent back to NYC instead Chicago. clueless who's going to pay. it took her 7 hours to hear the verdict. she's the most chatty, but not long after hearing the verdict, tears finally streamed down her eyes. she told us that the immigration officer who delivered her verdict told her that she'd never be able to re-enter UK or any Schengen countries. harsh.

- a blonde girl from California, who stayed in London for four weeks and travelled around Europe ever since. caught when she was entering from Dubai - according to her, the immigration officer questions the stripper card she has - whatever it means - suspecting she works as a stripper in the UK. she's not slim, big boobs but i agreed with her: she doesn't look like the stereotypical stripper. she's 26. refused to give the details of her parents when asked. she said her house was burnt in San Diego, so her mom sent her for vacation before joining to live with her whilst she was looking for a place. she was entering, crying. i thought she's much older. she's too, was told that she'd never be able to re-enter UK or EU countries after this incident.

- an Afgani girl. very sweet. filing in asylum, using an agent. she said she is 18 but the officer thinks she looks too old for 18. she has no papers - all gone. she's the most cheerful among us.

- an old man with probably his grandson. from Bangladesh. not a word of English. the most difficult to explain. they had to hire a translator for them. the last time i was there, an officer came and told him that he should see a "solicitor" - to which he was so perplexed. by the time i met them, the grandson has learnt an English word, "chips" , the snacks he asked the guard from time to time.

- a young blonde man, from the US. not so clear what. something around not enough money and confessed that he wants to work. whatever. but he was caught, and would be sent back to the us (he said he's on the way to Spain). the Brazilian girl said that he's lucky cos he is allowed to roam the city for two days cos they could not find a flight until friday.

- another young blonde man, working permit. he was the most calm. out in a couple of hours when he said that he needed to know soonish, since he had a gig the next day, and supposed to rehearse.

- a black man, american citizen transit for nine hours to Ethiopia. his was the most blurred a case. he claimed he's detained for nothing. they finally took him for interview, and i caught him in the guard lobby now carrying his luggage. i'm most interested to hear his case. alas, no chance .....

The Mystery of the Wit

Back to Moonwater

I'm back to M/moonwater - the blog and the Chinese film festival. I've let myself to be constantly at the crux of different directions for almost the past four years. Now, I've settled. Here. Now. Expect not only a much more productive mind, but also one charged with a solid, focused sight to the future, no matter daunting and at times blurry it could be. I'm no more disillusioned by false hopes, or unnecessary self-inflicted angst. I'm dancing my way to exciting ventures.

Welcome back (to me).