Chaos and peace

It was a bit crazy. But sometimes you „have“ to do crazy things. Like travelling to London with my best friend to see the „Revolution“ exhibition. My friend is preparing a conference on the '68 movement. And the exhibition gave a very good global insight into all the currents and individual changes that led to the great revolution: the pill as well as political scandals, ideologies, fashion, music, drugs, wars (Vietnam), civil rights movements and so on.

And I was even able to combine the „educational trip“ with a visit to my godchild in the north of England.

Thanks to accommodation with a friend and cheap flights, the whole thing was also affordable (London is otherwise financially tough). Or so I thought.

Until the moment my ID card was taken from me at passport control. It had been stolen from me in 2015. I reported this to the police - as well as the joyful return of my ID. Everything was fine, I thought. Unfortunately - as I only found out later - Interpol's computers don't allow you to mark a lost document as „ok“ again. Once lost, always lost.

Although I am clearly recognisable on my ID card, had my driving licence and other documents with me to prove my identity and even had the email in my laptop with which I had reported the return of my ID card to the police, the British border control took my ID card. And gave me a copy and a letter. They said I should be able to leave the country again with it.

At Liverpool airport, I realised that this was a mistake. The low-cost airlines don't want to take any risks (they have to pay a fine if they bring someone into a country illegally). So they refused to let me leave (without any financial compensation, of course) and sent me to the consulate, which is only open one day a week. Not the day I was there.

However, the consul was available by phone and told me I had to go to the embassy in London. Which of course is only open until 14.00. It was clear that I wouldn't be able to make it that day.

I was stressed, frustrated, couldn't reach my friends in London... found it all quite exhausting.

The whole thing cost me around 300 euros with train tickets (88 pounds), a passport that is only valid for 1 day (25 pounds) and a new flight ticket (140 pounds) plus food and drink (15 pounds). Plus the cost of a new identity card. Not a pleasure.

It's totally disgusting when something like this happens. You feel helpless, at the mercy of rulers, authorities and airlines who operate according to - sometimes absurd - guidelines and show little flexibility. I hate It makes me feel helpless and at the mercy of others. This mixture of emotions is one of the most terrible feelings I know, along with deep disappointment.

One of the best countermeasures against the feeling of helplessness: 

Utilise the remaining design options. 

Of course, there are some things you unfortunately can't change and you rightly feel helpless and at the mercy of others. But in this situation, you can still take good care of yourself - as far as you can. I did that as best I could:

• The German consulate in Liverpool, which is next to a dentist's surgery, was closed. I asked the receptionist to use her phone to call the consulate and embassy. And gave her one of my Calendar as a thank you gift.
• As I was already in Liverpool and couldn't go to the German embassy in London until the next day anyway, I decided to explore the city for two hours... and „accidentally“ ended up at The Cavern, the club where the Beatles' career began. There was a live concert going on with really good music, which was sooo soothing.
• On the way to the German embassy, I came across Eaton Square which I recognise from a TV series from my childhood. And enjoyed strolling through the historic neighbourhood.
• I flirted with two babies at the embassy. Having fun and playing with children is always good for my soul.
• As there was also a strike on the train line to Gatwick, where most budget flights depart from, I decided to save myself the £20 for the train ticket and treat myself to a slightly more expensive flight ticket from City Airport instead (plus a bit more). I so enjoyed having two seats to myself...

All of this has done my soul a world of good, alleviating some of the stress caused by the injustices and inadequacies of people and systems. I'm a little proud of myself for achieving this. I'm going to carry on a little longer, using the techniques from Releasing Blockages to further reduce stress. And create and enjoy moments. As best I can. Because it does me good.