Flying by the seat of your pants

TAKE the Amazing Race, add the car chase from Bullitt and an equal measure of an Indiana Jones adventure and you have an airport drop off with my boyfriend, James (better known as the “most disorganised person in the world”).

James had to fly out from South Africa the morning before he would be hosting a workshop in Mumbai.  Since he travels business class, we only arrived at the airport 45 minutes prior to his departure – with plenty time to spare!

As I off-loaded James at the drop off zone, I was immediately hauled back. 

Drama! 

He had left his passport at his parents’ home in Germiston.  Their house keys were safely tucked away in his car – 30 minutes in the opposite direction, in Rivonia.  And to top it, his parents were on away on holiday so there was no one to let us in.  Business as usual!

We’re in luck, the following flight out to India would be leaving at 2pm and will allow him to arrive just in time for his 9am meeting.

We screeched into their housing estate and broke into the house using a garden gnome – conveniently placed in the garden for occasions like this!  At the sound of glass shattering neighbours pile out of their homes to see what the racket is all about.

James pays a neighbour off to take care of the broken window.  Passport in hand we headed back to the airport.  As we pulled into Johannesburg International we are informed by the travel agent that British citizens living outside the country now require a visa for India.

Off to the Indian Embassy in Parktown we go!

Over the phone we are informed that the embassy will be closing in 15 minutes and that James requires passport photos for a visa.  Though they are kind enough to agree to wait for us!  First stop, Rosebank Mall to get photos and finally we reach the embassy!

A visa is issued within 10 minutes – now the embassy’s official record.

With 5 minutes to spare, James checks in.  Erica checks out.

P.S. For some R&R, check out the famous Bullit car chase on YouTuBe

PRESENTING Bullit: