A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

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Traveling to a country certainly makes us deal with immigration officers both at the airport and the entrance of every country on land and sea borders. There are immigration officers who are smiling and someone who puts on a frightening look so that they appear to be authoritative. There are many who ask, but there are also not many "chopped" as long as playing stamp. Now, what I want to tell here are the unusual experiences I got when dealing with these immigration officers.

Israeli Immigration Officers, 1999

I entered Israel in late 1999 crossing the Jordan-Israel land border through the "Friendship Bridge". Nothing was interesting until I arrived in front of the immigration officer, a woman in her late 20s. The immigration officer immediately gave me questions that were not usually asked at the immigration office shortly after he took my passport. There are three specific questions that are asked,

"What is your father's name?"

"What is your grandfather name?"

"What is your great grandfather name?"

Each of these questions was asked three times and of course my answer must not be wrong because the questions raised by the immigration officer were indeed an interrogation ... :-p. Fortunately, I remember the names of the three so I don't need to be asked with more strange questions .... :-)

Vietnam Immigration Officer, 2005-2010

I think Vietnamese immigration officials are among those who like to "play back". Why did I say that? Because they are very fond of giving immigration stamps at the very back of the passport yard. I never knew the reason they were doing it because I had not had time to ask them. Four times I went in and out of Vietnam in four different cities. And, all immigration officials like to "play back" .... :-p. For those who have already been to Vietnam, look at the stamp of Vietnamese immigration. It must be at the very back of the passport yard.

Malawi Immigration Officer, 2008

Malawi is a poor country with a per capita income of only $ 400 per year. I entered this country crossing the Tanzania-Malawi land border. The immigration officer was very friendly, a mother who was a little fertile. Understandably "fertile body" is a symbol of prosperity in Africa there. This fertile immigration officer gave me a question I had never heard before every time I crossed the border or entered a country, "How much money do you bring to Malawi?"

This immigration officer mother felt it was more important to ask about the money I was carrying than to ask about my purpose in coming to Malawi who might be planning a riot in their country ... :-p.

Chinese Immigration Officers, 2006.

My first experience with Chinese immigration officers in the China-Vietnam border city of Heikou was not a pleasant experience. A beautiful woman immigration officer greeted me kindly when I just entered the immigration office. The first question is about the Chinese guidebook I brought. When he saw that Taiwan was not part of China in my "Rough Guide" guidebook, the immigration officer arbitrarily snatched my book. I have let out all the seduction of death, but it didn't work either. His stained English also made me almost desperate to communicate with him. I could only curse accompanied by the sweet smile of the immigration officer who felt very bitter and a little sick to me .... :-p. What does politics have to do with the world of traveling?

Egyptian Immigration Officer, 2008

My experience dealing with Egyptian immigration officials is probably the most horror. I entered Egypt twice. The first time you entered there was no problem with immigration as well as the exit. Not so with my second trip in this country. When I was about to leave the country, my passport was taken by the immigration officer and I was put into a room for no apparent reason. For two hours I was detained without being able to communicate with anyone. All my questions to me officers also never answered. After two hours of detention the immigration officer gave me my passport and then released me without saying a word. Until now I never knew the reason I was arrested. Maybe I look like the look of a terrorist they are more sought after ....