Columbia - Márquez land
My boss, Antonio, is originally from Barranquilla, Columbia. He is one of the funniest people, I have ever met. In fact it is largely due to him and his stories that I look forward to going to work every day. He cannot be more proud of the fact that he was born and bought up in a locality that is 2 blocks away from where Shakira the famous singer spent her growing years.
Most of his stories are hilarious and one might even think whether they are too good to be true. Knowing Antonio, I believe each and every one of them. Coming from Columbia and having a moustache does not really help getting through customs quickly. In fact he told me that if ever there was a possibility of a strip search he would be the one who was picked first.
He was telling me about the airport they had near his house. This not being a really busy airport the 6 seater plane used to come only once a week. The procedure was that, the passengers have to stand on the tarmac with their luggage. The pilot would then fly over to see how many passengers were waiting. Unless there were atleast 3 passengers and luggage he would not bother landing as he felt it was not worth it. After numerous 'missed flights' the locals figured out a way to trick the pilot. They would bring their relatives and some empty luggage and wait. The pilot while glancing from above would see all the people standing and would happily come down. Once down, the lone passenger would come on board and the remaining would bid adieu and leave. The pilot had no way of making out whether there were real passengers or just his/her relatives and some empty bags.
Another one was about his grandfather. He was an avid lottery buyer and used to buy the same numbered ticket each and every time. He used to buy these from the same store and the store owner used to save this ticket number for him every time. After a patient wait of close to 10 years luck did knock on his door. The store owner saw the winning number and then realized that it was the same number that his most loyal customer buys. He called up Antonio's granddad and told him that there was a surprise. Antonio's granddad comes as usual and orders a tea. The store owner tells him the great news and then goes inside to make the tea. When the owner came back granddad was lying on the table. The euphoria of winning was too much for his poor heart and it gave up on him. This moment had been 10 years in the making, and finally when it did come, lasted only for a fleeting moment.
Most of his stories are hilarious and one might even think whether they are too good to be true. Knowing Antonio, I believe each and every one of them. Coming from Columbia and having a moustache does not really help getting through customs quickly. In fact he told me that if ever there was a possibility of a strip search he would be the one who was picked first.
He was telling me about the airport they had near his house. This not being a really busy airport the 6 seater plane used to come only once a week. The procedure was that, the passengers have to stand on the tarmac with their luggage. The pilot would then fly over to see how many passengers were waiting. Unless there were atleast 3 passengers and luggage he would not bother landing as he felt it was not worth it. After numerous 'missed flights' the locals figured out a way to trick the pilot. They would bring their relatives and some empty luggage and wait. The pilot while glancing from above would see all the people standing and would happily come down. Once down, the lone passenger would come on board and the remaining would bid adieu and leave. The pilot had no way of making out whether there were real passengers or just his/her relatives and some empty bags.
Another one was about his grandfather. He was an avid lottery buyer and used to buy the same numbered ticket each and every time. He used to buy these from the same store and the store owner used to save this ticket number for him every time. After a patient wait of close to 10 years luck did knock on his door. The store owner saw the winning number and then realized that it was the same number that his most loyal customer buys. He called up Antonio's granddad and told him that there was a surprise. Antonio's granddad comes as usual and orders a tea. The store owner tells him the great news and then goes inside to make the tea. When the owner came back granddad was lying on the table. The euphoria of winning was too much for his poor heart and it gave up on him. This moment had been 10 years in the making, and finally when it did come, lasted only for a fleeting moment.
Comments