By Amanda Eagleson
527-
Came through on Christmas Day with her German boyfriend.
Sharp.
Tried to cut the line.
Said, “It’s Christmas and my family is outside waiting.”
I told her, “It’s Christmas for the people off the Manila flight too. And they arrived first. And lots of them have family waiting.”
This didn’t go over well.
15,407-
Was an elder.
Small and spoke no English.
Paper thin skin.
I walked her to the restroom and helped her with her Sari.
I held the stall door somewhat closed for the sake of her modesty.
But open enough to be summoned if needed.
I don’t know why someone her age was immigrating alone.
She hugged me before she left.
20,863 though 20,870-
Australians.
Work and Travel Visas.
Loud and Cheerful.
I booked them into a hostel on Granville.
55,081-
Originally from France.
Immigrating.
She didn’t want to leave her cat in the luggage storage area.
I told her he could stay in his carrier behind my desk.
He was white with black spots and was named Charlie.
I don’t remember her name.
225,567-
Arrived from the Frankfurt flight.
Threw up in my paper recycling box and I called the paramedics.
I didn’t see him again after the paramedics took him away.
550,637- 550,640
A family of four. Mom, Dad, two kids (a boy and a girl).
From Syria (via Frankfurt).
“Red vested” off their flight.
Employees in red vests met them at their gate, bounced them to the express line at passport control, and escorted them through immigration.
The boy was around three, loud and laughing.
The girl about six, wide-eyed and quiet.
Parents had dropped shoulders, looked spent but focused, even happy.
A man getting his work permit complained about them jumping the line.
He was here to make movies, create jobs, contribute to the local economy.
I told him the airport prioritizes refugees.
But I understood his frustration.
I said I was sure the flight from Los Angeles was unduly stressful.
And the wait in line very traumatic.
[Note: The numbers may not be exact. Everything else is accurate.]
Amanda Eagleson’s poetry has appeared in Plum Tree Tavern, Prairie Journal and Inside The Bell Jar. She has written for Digital Economy Forum and is a Writer and Editor at Optimistic Learner. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. When not writing, she can be found making laughable attempts at organizing the immigration line in the Vancouver International Airport.