So it’s just about vacation season which is perhaps the most hated time of the year for immigration officers. I say this after observation, as these people display the sternest facial expressions and voices that can knock the rust off boilers.
My experience began at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Check-in and Departure entrances, where, surprisingly enough, the female security guard/police officer was all smiling and jolly as she opened the barricade to let me in. When I had finished checking in, I went to scan my luggage before placing it on the conveyor belt. A HUGE man came up holding a black Labrador that was sniffing around, and I swear these two were twins; both faces were tired, hungry and looked pissed.
After I placed my suitcase on the belts I did a fast walk away from the look-a-like drug checkers. I walked outside again to give a quick goodbye to my parents when Medusa’s face hit me! The same smiling lady at the entrance was staring me down hard – I dared not cross her. I gave my parents a quick hug and ran the hell inside to pay the airport taxes.
The officers at that checkpoint were kind, they assisted me in all my queries and I found comfort in their warm Guyanese tone. One lady kept saying “keep the traffic going, come on everyone, keep it flowing”. I smiled at her jolliness as she eased my tension of passing through scanners and having to take off my shoes and belt (jeans kept falling down).
It amazed me that in that one airport how different personalities and faces hit you, it was like being in a wonderland and going pass the weird and strange characters’ tents.
I touched down in a Caribbean island and I was begging for the Guyanese immigration personnel; these people were emotionless! I told an officer good morning and she grunted. I asked another one to point me to Customs she pointed me to ‘Read the Sign’. After this, i wasn’t asking anyone else for anything.
Clear immigration was as though I was playing jeopardy. Not that the long, boring questions were hard, she just twisted up her questions and was quite redundant in questioning. Finally at customs and all tired and can you believe the female officer whose face was stern asked me to smile?! I looked at her seriously for like five seconds then did the biggest clown like grin my cheeks could hold.
I am one who loves sarcasm and jokes around a lot, but from my experience – word of advice: These people aren’t very joyful people, keep all jokes and theatrics dormant!
The immigration officers in the Caribbean are known for their characteristics; some can be warm and welcoming – others just creepy! What are some of your experiences? Hit me up at www.stabroeknews.com/ category/the-scene
