German woman spends decade in Palma's airport

The Guardian UK ^ | August 9 2008 | Graham Keeley in Mallorca and Kate Connolly in Berlin

[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."

[Daffynition]

Bettina sleeping at Palma de Mallorca's airport.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The woman is obviously mentally ill and needs help.

[mt tom]

it looks like she may have missed her plane

[ikka]

My thought too, given the stress that preceded it, such as the breakup, the loss of a job, etc.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

The airport lets her get away with it, it’s her life to waste.

[rlmorel]

Agreed.

I am going to ping this to post my Mallorca story later...:)

[Daffynition]

As is so often the case with any homeless person. It’s endearing though, that the authorities/personnel just tolerate her. Once ‘word’ gets out this may become an epidemic for them. 8)

[GovernmentShrinker]

I’m not clear on how she manages the cat’s potty needs, but apparently she’s managing without annoying anyone, so more power to her. She’s clearly mentally ill, but the way she’s found to deal with it certainly costs society a lot less than conventional management of a mentally ill person normally does.

[Slings and Arrows]

[martin_fierro]

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.

Ich bin ein purr-binner.

[Daffynition]

I wondered about that kitty myself ... makes it seem like they are both *caged* animals. ;(

[Daffynition]

Es darf mehr zu dieser Geschichte als geben was das Auge trifft.

[heartwood]

In Britain, four people were given asbos for living at Gatwick.
____________

Asbo?

[Daffynition]

ASBOs (anti-social behaviour orders). I think.

[LucyT]

Thanks for the ping.

I feel bad for the cat; it doesn’t have a choice about having to tolerate airport bedlam. Wonder if she carries a litter box, and who delivers litter to an airport? I suppose if one has enough money, they can have ‘anything’ delivered anywhere.

[bert]

.....it looks like she may have missed her plane.....

some say she missed the boat

[bert]

.....Wonder if she carries a litter box.....

Perhaps she sleeps and while she sleeps, the cat just creeps off and takes care of business.

[Slings and Arrows]

Kitteh has her own flight to catch.

[LucyT]

Awwww, cat-cat. Laughing. (I’m supposed to be offline, ya know.)

[Slings and Arrows]

Me too. I’m posting this from an abacus.