68. Denied boarding

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Panama City, Panama

“Can Touring Taurean please proceed to the departure gate 12.”

Here we go. Thought I. It’ll be a passport check as have checked in online as usual.

Ho.

Ho.

Ho.

I’m being denied boarding.

Only have a one way ticket to Panama you see.

And that’s not allowed. Need an onward or return flight to allow them to let me board.

Oh. Crumbs.

Explain that I’m going on holiday and shall be travelling through Central America with a group.

Bizarrely, he doesn’t understand the word ‘holiday’ and keeps repeating it trying to work out what ‘holiday’ means. Nope. The lights are on but no one’s at home.

Asked if I have any vouchers to prove I shall be travelling on from Panama.

Nope. Because it’s a group tour. Just turn up and everything taken care of.

“You don’t have any vouchers?”

Again. No.

And then. A flash of inspiration. On my part.

The only thing I do have is the itinerary. Has to download from email attachment. Which. Takes. Ages. Due to poor reception.

Finally. Show him the itinerary. Thankfully, the entry for 7 March expressly says. “Cross the border into Costa Rica.”

Hmmm. Ponders.

It’s the best I can do mate.

After a bit more pondering, he accepts this as proof that I shall be leaving Panama. But a note is having to be typed into the computer.

Phew.

Only a short sub 1hr flight to Panama City. Only after landing do I realise it’s on the Pacific Coast. Had it in my head it was on the Caribbean coast.

And I did Geography at school.