This is the story of Merhan Karimi Nasseri and why he lived in Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle airport for 16 years. The movie The Terminal from 2004 was based on his story, but the movie script is a bit different from the book.
In short, Nasseri was expelled from his home country Iran in 1975, and after roaming various European countries for ten years he got stuck at Charles de Gaulle outside Paris due to missing documents.
He could not leave the airport without proper identification, so he stayed there while the red tape continued to grind. He was later given a temporary passport, but at that time he had been so accustomed to his life in the airport terminal that he chose to stay. The airport staff helped him with his laundry and donated a red bench for his stay. He finally left the airport in 2006, as he needed to visit a hospital.
The book is both sad and hilarious at the same time. In the beginning I felt kind of sorry for him, but later on it just becomes a bit silly when he is allowed to leave but choose to stay. Ironically, I actually read parts of this book while waiting for a flight at Charles de Gaulle in 2004, noticing his red bench in Terminal 1.
5 comments
Wow, you have been reading a lot lately.. Holidays? :-) Several interesting titles. Sounds like I should borrow a book or two from you next time we meet.. :-)
Well, to be honest I read most of the books a decade ago… But I haven’t got around to finish my review drafts until now. :)
And you’re always welcome to borrow books!
Excellent! :-) Maybe it’s time to finish looking at those travel photos one day soon.. (before there is new ones coming..)
Haha, too late! I’ve already got more of them! :)
But let’s gather on a rainy day at the nice girl with the video projector…
Sounds like a plan! :-)
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