I have arrived.
The airline throws open its doors and everyone starts leaving, so I follow, off the plane and down the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, a policeman. Dressed in dark blue, with a shiny golden badge and a black handgun in a holster at his right hip, stands watch over the disembarking passengers. Noticing the char-grilled sulphur smell in the air I take a right and wander down the arrivals hall with my eyes open. A group of school girls flanked by policemen travel the opposite way along a travelator, an elderly couple who look German sit happily with each other, an Asian gentleman sitting in a suit watches the news in Chinese. These things are all the same as you could find almost anywhere, but still different. New to my eyes at the very least. Moving through I get my passport stamped, 30 days I'm allowed to remain on this island i'm told by the border guard. Now to find my bag, a short trip down the hall and around a corner. The belt travels round and round, with bags lined up upon it. I look carefully and watch as bag after bag passes before me. Then from the corner of my eye i spot my bag. It's on the far side, well away from me, and it's already gone past. More waiting, and watching ensures I don't miss it another time. As I heft it and turn, I spot my parents. They're waiting on the other side of a glass wall, waving and smiling. I head towards them wondering what wonders i'll see and experience in this wondrous place tired smile deep in my eyes and tugging at the corners of my mouth.
