Chapter 2 - Dancer Deported

If there’s a right time to tell you what’s going on, I believe that now would be it. I am sitting in the Immigration room at the Frankfurt Airport as the border police decide what is the best way to get me out of here.

I’ll start from the beginning.

About a month ago, I was offered another contract with Tazcompagnie Gießen. Seeing no other opportunity arising in Australia anytime soon, I accepted it. I mentioned to them that it would be best that I could start in January so that I have time to organize all my things in Australia and apply for the visa and whatnot. They wanted me to start in October, which only gave me a few weeks to sort myself out to start a new life.

I called the German High Commission in Melbourne and they told me that it was absolutely mandatory that I apply for a visa before I go because I am not an Australian national. So I contacted the company letting them know that it would take about 10 weeks to get the visa, which would mean that my chances of starting in October would be very slim if not impossible. They said they would take care of it. Thinking that they had done this all before and had had plenty of experience, I trusted them and booked my flights.

I guess I was excited to start a new life. I was looking forward to the experiences that I would partake in. I was glad for a change. I was starting to feel down on my luck and less and less employable as the months flew past. This was something that I needed, not just wanted.

So I waited for the original contracts to arrive. They didn’t. So I let the company know that I would fly anyway and sign a contract when I got there. I thought it would be fine.

Now I’ve ended up in the Immigration room. Apparently I needed to apply for that visa. So now they’re deciding which flight to put me on back to Perth. I need to have an interview, and pay a fine. I’m a little shaken, but I don’t want to do anything illegal. I’m glad I told the truth, (that I was here for a job and had a copy of the contract). I guess I’ll just have to suck it up and head home with my tail between my legs.

I guess it pays to do your research and to be safe. I am disappointed, no doubt. I feel cold and alone and there’s noone here for comfort.

* * *

Well, I’ve done the interview and paid the fine, and now I’m going to be deported for the very first time in my life. I was really scared at first because the first officer who spoke to me looked like Amon Goethe from Schindler’s List and said something like, “Vee are goink to report you, then fine you, then kill you.”

Luckily the officer who was handling my case was really nice and caring. He made sure I was okay and was as close to comfort as I got. I felt more at ease after about 30 minutes and after talking to Glynn on the phone, and stopped freaking out. I was still a bit scared but everything worked out fine and now I’m as calm as ever. It was all a misunderstanding and I know what I need to do now. You can never be too sure when it comes to immigration.

They contacted the company and I got to talk to Tarek. He told me to remain calm and that he was really, really sorry that all this happened. I still have my job; I just need to come back legally the next time, and he will do all he can to help. We just need to wait till my visa has been approved when I go back to Australia.

Now I just have to wait till tonight to fly back to Perth. What an expensive weekend, but at least I have a story to tell now. I don’t know if my year should be considered interesting and exciting, or just downright unlucky. I guess it would be interesting for my readers. I need a hug.