Arriving

Before I continue with my “then this happened, then that happened”- style of writing, I will intermezzo with an explanation to how I met Merinda Stewart, the girl I will now be meeting at the airport. Merinda’s aunt Robyn was the Librarian and Social Studies teacher at the ISB (International School of Basel, for all of you who don’t know that). About 9 years ago, Merinda (also nicknamed Mindy) came to Basel to visit her aunt, and spent some of her time there with me and my classmates. Since then we decided to be penpals, sending the occasional Christmas or holiday card and letters. Anyhow, we were now finally going to meet again. Customs at any Australian Airport, being a foreign immigrant, is never pleasant with all the questions you need to answer, and all the security you need to go through. But once you’re through, you needn’t worry no more. Unless of course you watch too much TV and realize that they even have a TV-show based on this topic of Border-Security, which can result in attaining a bad conscience. Merinda and her father David, met me at the arrivals hall about half an hour later than my arrival. Her brother Tyler and mother Kim were already at the check-in for Tyler’s flight to Hong Kong for 2 years of Boarding School doing the International Baccalaureate. After handing out the chocolate gifts over a coffee and a Hungry Jack’s Whopper (aka Burger King), we all said farewell to newly met Tyler. Finally arriving at Merinda’s student house, I could unpack a couple of essentials, prepare a mattress in the living room, and force my eyes closed fighting nature’s jetlag forces.