NOV 25, 16 .. DISASTER .. REAL, NO-NONSENSE .. DRAMA
Epilogue dated three years later on 25 November 2019 :
I wrote, and I published this post, while I was sitting in the business class lounge, of the Dubai Airport, United Arab Emirates, with (I was to learn the next day in Hong Kong) a badly broken left hip as I was waiting to board my flight to Hong Kong. Was I in some pain ? Yes ! You want amazing? Below you have it. Amazing!
– – – – – – – –
Where to begin but at the beginning.
Friday, November 25th, 2016 .. Will this be my Day Of Infamy? Will this be the end of my world traveling? Only time will tell!
Early. I like to be early. My flight boards at 6:40pm and leaves at 7:10pm. I was here at DXB (Dubai International Airport) at 1:25pm.
How is THAT FOR EARLY?
In short order I checked in with Emirates Airlines and, with my boarding pass in hand, off I went to pass through Immigration and Security.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Smiling. I handed my passport to the UAE Immigration Officer. He looked it over. He again looked it over. Then he called for another Immigration Official to come to his work station. They chatted.
The second Immigration official beckoned me to follow him. I did as directed and was led into an office. We sat down. Me in a chair facing his desk. He behind his desk. He took out my passport and looking at it carefully he began:
“Sir. You entered the UAE October 1st. Is this correct.?”
“Yes Sir.”
“You left the UAE October 18th for Oman. Is this correct?”
“Yes Sir that is correct.”
“You returned to the UAE on October 28th. Is this correct?”
“Yes Sir it is correct.”
“Sir you agree with the dates that we have just discussed?”
“Yes Sir. No question.”![DSCN8887[1]](https://babakaps.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DSCN88871-600x450.jpg)
“Sir you have violated the terms of your entry visa issued you on October 1st. Your fine is 1,800 AED!” .. “We only accept cash Sir.”
1,800 AED is US $514.29.
“I do not have that much cash Sir.”
“There is an ATM in the lobby. Please visit it and return here to my office. I will escort you out and explain the situation to my officers. They will let you return to my office when you have the cash.”
I remained very calm on the outside but I was (understandably) upset. I did as he asked. I visited an ATM and withdrew the 1,800 AED. I returned to his office. I paid the fine. I got a receipt.
I went through security. But I was upset. I was not myself. I failed to tie my shoelaces having had to remove my shoes at security.
Not totally present of mind, I was shuffling along. I stepped on one of my shoelaces and I FELL VERY HARD.
I could hear myself scream at the top of my lungs as I went went down hard.
I was instantly surrounded by people wanting to help. The paramedics were there in a New York Minute. I was lifted into a wheel chair. I was taken to the Emirates Business Class Lounge. I was surrounded my three paramedics. I could not stand.
My left leg might as well be a piece of rope. I can put absolutely NO WEIGHT whatsoever on my left leg. Nothing. Zero. Zip.
They took my vitals. Blood Pressure was 154 / 90 which they said was OK for my age 80-years. They checked my blood sugar (it was 86). They doctored the wound on my left palm that was bleeding.
“Sir we are summoning a Doctor. We cannot let you leave the UAE if you are not healthy.”
“Look Guys. I am basically OK. The three of you are happy with my vitals. I have doctors in Hong Kong. I have a hospital in Hong Kong. Please let me get my flight and get to Hong Kong. You can see I am clear of mind.”
I called Patti.
“Talk to my wife Patti. Assure Patti that I am OK.”
The lead paramedic did so and he and Patti had a nice chit chat.
“Look Guys! Please let me get my flight and get to Hong Kong.”
“Yes BUT you see Sir .. We want to help you but there are legal isssues here Sir.”
“If we agree to your wishes, will you sign a legal release stating that you are OK and that you are refusing medical treatment?“
“Yes I certainly shall.”
I signed their legal agreement instantly. They took their leave. Really great gentlemen.
In the meantime, as the above DRAMA was unfolding, I had been visited by several Emirates Airline Officials. They said they would get me to my departure gate and help me board my flight with wheel chair assistance. They also said they would call Emirates Airlines in Hong Kong and have a wheel chair waiting for me at the arrival gate.
My view here in the Emirates Airlines Business Class Lounge at DXB is very VERY nice.
‘Zilla Oh ‘Zilla. IF you are reading along here, and if I have to return to the US, can I buy some Delta miles from you so I can fly back Business Class?
I feel great. My mood is great. I am smiling.
If only my left leg had not become a piece of rope, I would be A-OK!
Emirates staffers here are tending to me. Liquids and food and wheelchair assistance to the necessary room.
Ladies and Gentlemen. Officers and Men. Sports Fans following along here. No kidding. This is serious. This could be the end of my Globe Trotting. If it is, I sure have enjoyed one phenomenal ride.
This truly is .. Taa – Daa ..
I couldn’t feel better of mood. Can anyone understand what it does to one when their leg becomes a piece of ROPE. Great in tension. Horrible in compression.
And yet I feel so grateful. A fall, any fall, was coming. In March 2004 I fell on the ice in Anchorage and broke my left knee-cap in two places. And there have been many other falls.
So I am so grateful I am able to leave the United Arab Emirates and NOT be hospitalized. All of my belongings are packed and on-board. Hong Kong here we come!
Time to press Publish Captain.
Cap ..
- NOV 24, 16 .. HAPPY, JOYOUS, THANKFUL, THANKSGIVING DAY!
- NOV 26, 16 .. WHAT A SATURDAY I HAD TODAY .. NOV 26th 2016
10 thoughts on “NOV 25, 16 .. DISASTER .. REAL, NO-NONSENSE .. DRAMA”
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Oh Cap I am so sorry to hear of this business with fines and legal waiver. I understand and believe it was the right thing to do to just pay their penalty, but they certainly were unforgiving in their approach.
I pray that by the time you reach HK you feel better.
In the meantime I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Stay strong.
Kitty
Thanks So Much Kitty. You have to do as the authorities ask you to do. There is no court of debate when you have a flight to catch. Smiles.. I really wonder if they did me correct. I had checked closely their visa requirements and went to Oman to avoid exactly what happened to me. Cheerio and as ever, Thanks for your interest. Cap
Friday, November 25, 2016 – 1:00 pm – So Cal
Hi Cap,
Drama, what a pity regarding your fall at the Airport in Dubai! Patti called me earlier this morning and briefed me on the details of your fall! Falls can be so unexpected, but such an accident when you are traveling, and in a foreign country has to be at least 100 percent more frustrating and difficult!
Let’s hope your arrival in HK will go smoothly and results of your injury – we hope – will be of a minor nature – that is what we are hoping for upon your visit to the hospital in HK!
In any event I will certainly will assist you regarding using some of my miles for a return trip, via Business Class, Delta to Anchorage if that is necessary. Patti and I will be in contact as time progresses.
And of course, what a “Bummer” regarding having to pay that fee of $500 dollars for overstaying your Visa! I know you are very detailed in all your planning and of course that was the purpose of your side trip to Omen to gain another 30 day period upon your return to Dubai! Very frustrating and I am sure that had to be on your mind as you ponder “how did that happen” – and $500 is big stuff to us old “retirees”, nothing to “sneeze” at!!
According to my timetable you should be arriving in HK in about another hour – we have our fingers crossed and hope for a quick recovery – maybe good enough to continue your travels!! We have our fingers crossed?
jim
Thanks so very much ‘Zilla. Time has overtaken this reply. Smiles and still more THANKS.. Your Ally .. Cap
Details, Cap, details. We all need details so we can all diagnose you from thousands of miles away. Pain in the leg? Can you move your toes? Your foot? Your knee? Did your rupture your Achilles tendon or a ligament? I could diagnose you right now with chicken pox, but I don’t have enough details. ;)
Seriously, I hope everything checks out okay in Hong Kong. Perhaps by then the leg will have healed of its own accord. (Otherwise, I know of some nice assisted living homes in Arizona that are a lot cheaper than the ones in Alaska….)
Best wishes, Cap. I’m sure you’ll be back on the road in no time.
Broken hip. Lots of reports on my next Posts. I did not know myself until I saw the Doctor on Saturday the 26th. Cap
Oh, Cap – I hope you are in Phoenix by now and are being tended to. I have had the “rope leg.” January 2014 I fell in the Dimond Mall parking lot – on wet ice. I was able to get up, and thank goodness it happened right by my car – but I couldn’t put any weight on my left leg. I thought I had a groin sprain because that’s what it felt like. Dave got out his crutches and I used them and then a cane for about six weeks. I found out six months later – after having a CT scan of my innards, that I had broken my pelvis in two places. My doctor said the only thing they could have done for that at the time was to put me on crutches. So I did the right thing.
What a story Karolynn! That is the only phrase I could think of, a rope leg. No compressive strength. Oh this ageing thing. Dave getting out his own old crutches to help you. What a deal. Had you not been beside your car what to do? You were lucky you could drive. Thanks for sharing this Karolynn. Cap and Patti.
Cap-The two most important words of advice you can get from a Dr. is “DON’T FALL”
Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Bob & Carolyn Kelly
A very belated Thanks Bob and Carolyn. Cap in Santa Fe New Mexico on May the 12th.