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German woman spends decade in Palma's airport
The Guardian UK ^
| August 9 2008
| Graham Keeley in Mallorca and Kate Connolly in Berlin
Posted on 08/10/2008 6:52:27 AM PDT by Daffynition
More than 20 million travellers pass through Palma de Mallorca's airport each year and at first glance Bettina could be just another tourist waiting for a flight home. But she never checks in.
The 48-year-old German has been living at the airport - known as Son Sant Joan - for 10 years, pushing her three suitcases, a blanket, a pile of books and her white cat, Mumu, around with her. Referred to in the airport simply as "the woman with the cat", Bettina has become as much a part of the airport as the planes and runways.
Her story recalls the Tom Hanks film The Terminal, which was reportedly inspired by the story of man who lived at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris for 18 years after his documents were stolen.
Bettina, who refuses to disclose her full name, is from a small town in southern Germany. She arrived in Mallorca more than 10 years ago for a new start after a relationship ended and she lost her office job. She landed odd jobs working as a waitress then helping in a kitchen, but the dream of living in the sun turned sour. "Suddenly there was no work because they only give jobs to Spaniards," she told the local Diario de Mallorca newspaper. "I wanted to work in Mallorca but I got stranded here."
With no job, home or money, she began living in the airport, where she gets by on the kindness of friends or strangers. "One friend brings me something to eat twice a week. Sometimes people give me a bit of money as well, but I don't ask anyone for anything."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society; Travel
KEYWORDS:
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To: LucyT
For all we know, maybe she has the cat trained to ... erm...ummmmmm.....take care of biznuss........
21
posted on
08/10/2008 4:38:58 PM PDT
by
Daffynition
(The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
To: Slings and Arrows
I’m posting this from an abacus. Huh, mine won't let me post, must be the firewall.
22
posted on
08/10/2008 9:19:13 PM PDT
by
LucyT
(What happens in Denver....is anyone's guess....August 25 - 28, 2008)
To: Daffynition; Slings and Arrows
23
posted on
08/10/2008 9:20:11 PM PDT
by
LucyT
(What happens in Denver....is anyone's guess....August 25 - 28, 2008)
To: Daffynition; Slings and Arrows; nw_arizona_granny
24
posted on
08/10/2008 9:21:37 PM PDT
by
LucyT
(What happens in Denver....is anyone's guess....August 25 - 28, 2008)
To: Daffynition; Slings and Arrows; nw_arizona_granny; Rushmore Rocks; MamaDearest; ...
I've been waiting for a kitty thread so I could post this photo.
25
posted on
08/10/2008 9:27:11 PM PDT
by
LucyT
(What happens in Denver....is anyone's guess....August 25 - 28, 2008)
26
posted on
08/10/2008 9:34:07 PM PDT
by
LucyT
(What happens in Denver....is anyone's guess....August 25 - 28, 2008)
To: LucyT
How do I pick a favorite?
Can I have two?
Where is the food is fantastic.
27
posted on
08/11/2008 1:12:38 AM PDT
by
nw_arizona_granny
( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1990507/posts?page=451 SURVIVAL, RECIPES, GARDENS, & INFO)
To: LucyT
And so is the stickz.
All are good, as usual.
Why not make a book of them?
28
posted on
08/11/2008 1:13:52 AM PDT
by
nw_arizona_granny
( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1990507/posts?page=451 SURVIVAL, RECIPES, GARDENS, & INFO)
Comment #29 Removed by Moderator
To: LucyT
30
posted on
08/11/2008 6:44:07 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
To: FrPR
31
posted on
08/11/2008 6:45:40 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
Comment #32 Removed by Moderator
To: FrPR
LOL ... Brit-speak. I haz it. ;)
33
posted on
08/11/2008 6:52:27 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
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