Saturday, 8 November 2014
I woke up at approximately 3 am this morning to catch my flight from Cusco to Lima at 5.50 am. Not that I slept well, I was coughing throughout the night and had very little sleep. This, despite the cough mixture I bought earlier. I just knew it wouldn't work, I don't know why I bother! As a result, I also had a head ache on top of the coughing fits.
I took a cab to the airport. At the airport, I had another bad experience. After checking in, the lady at the checking in counter informed me that a police officer would like to check my luggage and that I had to follow him. I followed him to a room where there was another lady officer, and they gave me a form which said that the police had the right to conduct random checks, and that my full cooperation is appreciated etc. I did not mind them checking my bag, I had nothing to hide. I wanted to know why they chose me for the 'random' check. And how often they performed this 'random' check. Because apart from me, I didn't see them checking anyone else's luggages. And apart from me, everyone else was either Peruvian or European looking.
Of course, people will tell me it's all in my head, it could have been anyone, let it go etc. but I know racism when it happens, and this was racism, whether the officers themselves knew it or not. Because I am not blond haired and blue eyed, because I am dark skinned, I was chosen. Like I said, I didn't mind them checking my luggage but because they refused to answer my questions as to why I was chosen and why no one else's luggage was being checked, I became pissed off and decided to become difficult. Once they cleared my bag, I started re-packing everything, and they were asking me other questions like the purpose of my travels, am I travelling alone etc and I refused to answer. And the lady officer, sounding irritated, asked me to answer her whereupon I took the form that she gave me earlier, pretended to read it again, and told her that the form only made reference to my bags being checked, and did not say anything about me answering questions. With a smile, I also told her that I would, however, be more than happy to answer her questions if she answered mine, and she just kept quiet thereafter.
On the form where I had to sign, I wrote a nasty comment. I left the room feeling really pissed off, I really didn't need this when I had a head ache and coughing fit to boot. And after having travelled to 7 countries, my conclusion was that Peru is the most beautiful country, with the 2nd most friendliest people. And yesterday that and now this! It's a pity really, because I had such a lovely time in Peru, it would have been nice to leave on a high note. But of course. We don't always get what we want. I bet they are not racist in Brazil!
My first flight was short, it landed at about 7.15 in Lima. Then through baggage control again, and immigration, and I was on the plane to São Paulo, Brazil, at 8.50 am. I arrived in São Paulo at about 5.15 pm. Here I had to collect my bags (I waited approximately 40 minutes for my bags to arrive) and go through customs (I didn't get stopped at all - I told you they are not racist in Brazil!) and re-check in my bag for my flight to Rio. Then my last and final flight to Rio at 7.30 pm, I arrived in Rio at about 8.30 pm and took a cab to my hostel. Throughout my second flight I was coughing almost non-stop. Then the coughing stopped and I felt a cold coming on. I have no idea what is going on, I am stronger than this, get a grip Sheila!
The owner of the hostel is a bubbly lady named Iara. She is lovely and the hostel is lovely. I took a shower, 2 piritons, cough mixture, and went to bed.
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