First off, I think we should all - well, most of us - say a big 'thank you' to the fates and to the kindness of strangers!

My most memorable gaffe took place September 12, 2001. I was leaving one country (nameless, but it ends in "stan"), having used my one-time-entry visa to visit, and walking across the 1km. no-man's-land to the next country (another "stan") where, in all the political turmoil, my visa was not accepted.

I suppose I should have had the foresight to inquire, but, well, on 9/11, we all learned a few lessons. So, three days spent in that no-man's-land - no food, no water, just a copy of the Illiad.