Back in the USA
Yesterday, January 29th, I landed at JFK on a flight from London. I had a 4 hour wait before my JetBlue connection to Long Beach, so decided to step out of the terminal building and get some air. It was a bright cold crisp morning. Clear blue skies of the kind that lift your spirit. So clear you could practically reach out and touch the Manhattan skyline on the horizon. I was last in America in October 2008 in the dark closing days of Bush. Now back to find the Bush fires of hate have been put out at last and there's a new America emerging with Obama at the helm.
Why, even the immigration officer was kind and courteous. And for the first time in eight years I, as an Iranian passenger arriving on these soils, did not feel intimidated and nervous answering questions about the purpose of my visit. No more Secondary Inspection in a creepy grey room where you would go through what could sometimes be described as ritual humiliation, because you were born in the Middle East or because you are a bit brown or beige. A process that would take hours as you sit with other fellow "suspects" during which your sad lonely suitcase would be the only one left screeching for help on the baggage carousel.
But not this time. Even though I had allowed some 4 hours for the inevitable delay before my next flight, I was out reunited with my suitcase in 20 minutes. The immigration officer, a black man, and I exchanged some nice words. He didn't know what TED was, so I explained Technology, Entertainment... "I'm a teccky!", he said with a smile. "Then you'd love some of the talks on TED.com," I said. Energised and relieved by this encounter, I found I couldn't contain myself. Before you could say "misunderestimated" I found myself saying to my new friend "I can't tell you how good it is to be back in your country with your new president in charge!". With that he stamped my passport and handed it back saying "Enjoy your stay".
So there was me outside the terminal taking deep breaths of the new refreshing air in America. And you know, even the airport air, filled with car traffic and aviation fuel smelled sweet. The rancid smell of Bush had evaporated. And I thought to myself Obama as Messiah, yes. But Obama as air freshener? Who would have thought?!
As if that wasn't enough welcome, at the JetBlue check-in desk, the happy girl not only put me on an earlier flight to Long Beach, but at the gate the happy boy upgraded me to a premium seat without my asking. Now that's what I call a great start to my TED2009 trip! God bless America and its customer service.
Taghi Amirani
