The other day, I opened my American Diary 5 with two opening lines of Beautiful Nubia’s song “Seven Lifes” while trying to delve into the different cultures I saw in the game between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia.
Little did I know that I would need the next two lines in the following days in the United States. So the next two lines of that legendary song reads:
“I was born where the sun never sets and never rises
I was born where the heat is like a second skin.”
You must have read and heard about the heat wave across Europe in the past two weeks and the United States had its own share in the past week. Watching the news on FOX and CNN, you see reports across the country about how it was dealing with citizens.
After back to back trips, I rested for like three days in my Newark apartment and that was at the peak of the unprecedented heat. It was reported that Newark’s 104°F was the highest since 1901. Little wonder I kept hearing the sound of ambulance blazing to and fro the streets.
But for us born where the heat is like a second skin; 37°C cannot do us anything. You just drink plenty of water and keep calm. Of course it ensured I couldn’t really go out but my rest was well needed ahead of what would be a busy final two weeks of competition.
Now to the final two weeks:
I was pitchside at the MetLife for the Brazil vs Norway game and I enjoyed every bit of the Erling Haaland show.
There were four Nigerian photojournalists at the game (including myself 😁) and I think that’s the most we’ve had in a single game at this World Cup. Pooja, Modo and Justina Aniefiok were on ground.
The game graciously ended in 90 minutes so I was able to start preparing for my 6am flight the following day to Atlanta ahead of Tuesday’s game between Argentina and Egypt.
I was excited for the trip because Atlanta and Georgia is a different part of the US I love to see and venue of our Olympics Gold conquest in 1996. I couldn’t even sleep till I took my bath before 4:00am and set off to the very big Newark Airport at about 4:30am.
My infant excitement turned to a rude shock on getting to Terminal A of Delta Airlines when I discovered that the flight had been outrightly cancelled. I was offered a chance to rebook for Tuesday afternoon. Impossible! I exclaimed.
I thought this was not United Nigeria or AirPeace? Why am I even only learning about this at the airport? The questions kept running through my mind. And the possibility I dreaded most confronted me; cancelling my Media Ticket for the game, a consequence that could have ramifications on getting further tickets as the tournament progress.
A Latino Angel appears
I then proceeded to join the queue at the counter, pondering on what will be. The alternatives are impossible. 20-hour road trip even with expensive tickets getting sold out like the train as well so at that point, I needed an Angel.
On the queue, I brought out my FIFA World Cup tag and placed it round my neck. Few minutes later, this pretty lady (from Mexico) came to me and held my hand to follow her. I couldn’t even ask what happened, because, I mean, who nor go like to be dragged by fine girl?
She took me to her system in the Priority Office of Delta Airlines and explained to me why many of their flights had been cancelled. She then issued me a different ticket for standby of the next available ticket (three hours later).
Unfortunately, I could not make it to the 8:30am flight because it was full. I checked my number on the standby list at the Boarding Gate and it was 65 when Number 4 hadn’t even seen a flight to join. It was bleak at that point so I returned to the counter.
Immediately she sighted me, my Angel quickly beckoned on me. “Dairo, right?” She asked. “Yes, yes, my lady,” I excitedly replied, deliberately showing a sign of weakness and helplessness. She said no problems, just wait; even before I explained anything.
She seconded her subordinate to get me another flight that day. Apparently, she also knows soccer. While her subordinate was on that, she was discussing the World Cup with me, telling me how she wished the USMNT bad after the Balogun reversal.
The only reason I could smile to her was her beauty and the fact that she was helping me out because I was still scared I wouldn’t get a flight. I had seen up to 15 flights across multiple airlines cancelled that day due to bad weather.
But in the end, my angel came through and she got me a 7:45pm flight which only left at 10:10pm. Better late than never. Did I collect my Angel’s number after it all? I can neither confirm nor deny that.
