The man who lived at an airport for 18 years

Most people spend only a few hours at an airport. They wait for their flight, buy something to eat, or read a book. However, one man lived in an airport for 18 years.

His name was Mehran Karimi Nasseri, and he was from Iran. In 1988, he travelled to Europe because he wanted to start a new life. During his journey, he lost some important travel documents. Without these papers, he could not enter some countries, and he also could not return home. Because of this unusual situation, he had to stay at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.

At first, life was very difficult. Mehran slept on a bench in the airport and kept all his belongings in a few bags. He washed in the airport bathrooms and wore the same clothes for a long time. Airport workers, cleaners, and even travellers sometimes gave him food, magazines, clothes, or money. Many people felt sorry for him and wanted to help.

Every day, thousands of passengers walked past him. Some people did not notice him, but others stopped to talk to him. Mehran enjoyed reading books and newspapers. He also liked writing about his life in a notebook. After many years, the airport became his home, and many workers knew him by name.

Several lawyers and charities tried to help him. After some time, he was allowed to leave the airport, but by then he had become used to living there. His story became famous around the world, and it even inspired the 2004 film The Terminal, starring Tom Hanks.

In 2006, after living in the airport for 18 years, Mehran finally left because he became ill and needed medical care. Today, his story is remembered as one of the strangest travel stories ever. It shows how important travel documents are and how one unexpected problem can completely change a person's life.