This “Hero To Zero” story is based on true events of traveling From Dallas, Texas for my first Telecom project in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil, South America. Rio de Janeiro is North East of San (pronounced as ‘Sow’) Paulo about 67 minutes by plane. In order to get to Curitiba (CWB) from San Paulo, I have to travel Southwest of San Paulo for 58 minutes by plane . The flight from Dallas (DFW) to San Paulo (GRU) will take over 12 hours But Business Class is good. I have to deplane in San Paulo and go thru Arriving Customs. After my getting my suitcases to the hotel across the street from the airport. Tomorrow I would leave San Paulo then a short plane ride to Curitiba.
Arriving in San Paulo
The American Airlines flight departing at 7:17 PM and arriving on January 16 2001 at 7:30 AM was good and uneventful. Now to Arriving Customs for this challenge! Well a trip through Arriving Customs for any country is a long process anyway. This morning going through Arriving Customs was no different. Long lines and short tempers are everywhere. I was doing my triple check of all my Travel documents: Passport, Visa, Itinerary and any an else I might need. Pushing my two suitcases and carrying my briefcase while watching them closely.
I found myself picking out the passengers that would not pass inspection. Were they a spy and on a no-fly list? Did that person have a suitcase full of money? Why was that person so nervous? Another one was trying too hard to be happy. This was just something to occupy my time, as all passed through Customs. However, I was completely unaware of what was about to happen to me!
Count down to Customs Inspector:
Just 4 more passengers in front of me before I am up to the Customs Inspector. I can see past the Customs Inspector’s booth to the front wall with signs saying this way out to the street. This front wall was glass but had been enclosed so you could not see outside.
Well Just 3 more Passengers in front of me now before I am at the Inspector’s Booth. I know what is Beyond the door out to the street. I have reviewed the maps several times so I would know where to go to get to my hotel.
Now there are 2 more passengers left to go before Customs inspection. Well one more check of my travel documents. Documents are still OK.
Finally, 1 passenger left before I get to the Customs Inspector. Well I have to go to the bathroom! I am going to hold it and not get out of line and restart at the back of the line!!
Now its my turn!! I produced my travel documents for the Customs Inspector. She took them and type in something on her computer. Then there was a response. She looked over my docs and typed something else in to the computer. Look again at my documents. Does this lady know I need to go to the bathroom?? Should I tell her?
WOW, she stamped my paperwork and I was off to the bathroom.
Out of Customs
I was lucky that it was on the way to the doorway out.
Whew, done with that and exit out the door to the street and my hotel, Still can’t see outside. I pass through the door outside,
WOW What a surprise!! I know the Brazilians were very friendly and the ladies are very beautiful. I see hundreds of beautiful Ladies holding Signs saying ‘I love you’, ‘Welcome to Brazil’, ‘We want you!’, ‘Welcome to Sow Paulo’ and many other great signs!! Could I have died and gone to heaven? All For Me!!!
This lasted for a full 2 seconds!!!
All of a sudden the fence was pushed down and all these women started running toward ME!! It ended when the first 5 women ran past me and I was getting runed over! I had to move out of the way for the rest to pass. Once out of the way, I started laughing out loud and could not stop. Two guys that had been watching this from the sidelines were laughing with me or at me finally told me what happened.
It seems that just after I exited the Customs exit the boy band “NSYNC” exited after me. The “NSYNC” Concert at Rock in Rio 2001 on January 18, 2001
Well there you have it! Either you laugh at yourself with others or others will laugh at you!
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2001
Venue: Parque Olímpico Cidade do Rock
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Response Magic