Upon entering the airport the security guards blocked my entry because I didn't have a ticket. I tried to explain that they needed to let me in so that I can buy a ticket. The guard then explained to me that I needed to leave the airport compound into the city to an agency to get a ticket that I am not allowed to enter without a ticket. We went back and forth. Then finally I asked o ne of them to escort me inside to the counter so I can buy a ticket, so that I can have a ticket to be in the airport so that I can get onto a plane. After I passed the initial x-ray check, the guard did not follow or try to continue to explain how I can not enter without a ticket.
As I approached the counter lines, I was clear that I wanted to go to the right line but my body moved toward the left line with one person in line. It appear to be the shorter line and indeed it was. But it turned out to be the longer line because this person had trouble with her reservation and she was there for a long time. I moved back to the right line where there were lots of people but at least the line was actually moving.
When I approached the counter, the man told me the flight was full. My only chance was with Royal Nepal after 2:30pm for the after 5pm take off flight. I explain to him that such an arrangement was no good because I as a single female should not enter Delhi in the evening without housing arrangements etc.... He assured me that my safety was not a problem and of course I insisted it was. I told him I would appreciate it very much if he could find a way to arrange a possible seat for me that I didn't mind sitting and waiting.
So I sat opposite the counter for the next two hours and recited with my beads. All the airport security thought I was Nepalese and would approach me in Nepalese in attempt to move my bag incase it was suspiciously dangerous. As they approach they would see my Buddhist recitation beads and back away. Others would point to my clothes and show signs of approval after discovering that I was not Nepalese.
During the wait I met an Indonesian family who wanted to know how it was for me to travel alone. I responded by saying, " It can be scary at times and there would be be no one to talk things over." The reconmended that I visit Indonesia but warned me about getting kidnapped and sold as a single female traveling and no one would know you have disappeared.
Right before the counter closed I approached the counter and the man let me on with a seat. I had one hour before departure for boarding. This was new for me, usually it's twenty minutes before departure when boarding is called. I later learned why this was so. There were two other security checks after baggage check in one to enter the gate and one to board the plane. So in total there were three security check in this airport. Everytime there was a check, everything was rechecked top to bottom. The security took the battery out of my flash light but allowed me to keep my bottled water and all my lotions.
