So the run up to the trip was quite sensational got into a mad rush to set everything straight before leaving, somehow things started falling into place by themselves. No need for boring gory details - basically it was very hectic and a lot could go wrong but events mostly seemed to unfurl in a way that was positive for me.
Anywho .. the travel was not going to be good and I made sure of that with the tickets I booked. I cut short by already short trip further by taking So instead of a 3 hour stopover at washington one for 15 hour (slight oversight with regards to AM/PM in the timings at the time of booking tickets) . To make matters worse I somehow felt that I could wait it out at the terminal with my laptop, music phone and a lot of international minutes. Well I did make it, but very soon it was quite apparent that it was not a good decision.
I will skip the minor troubles I had in finding the boarding gate for the flight to Delhi - it was expected considering my limited experience of traveling through large airports. I was dreading a crummy aircraft and dreading that my travails would be heightened by the fact that the flight time for almost a whole day for me. But the craft turned out to be pretty nice, the staff .. I will be neutral I guess. Not as thoroughly professional and hospitalable but efficient nonetheless, so anyone looking for airline suggestions - AI is definitely okay if not the best choice.
So fellow passengers, I do not interact much with strangers but I did notice a few interesting characters, this american group of students going to Delhi to know India as part of their course - one of them was somewhat funny. The unavoidable bong bitch glaring at everyone. And the really really stereotypical aunty wanting to get a window seat and creating a fuss over the seat assignment. I got a similar seat as her and I was pretty happy with it, so I wondered what the fuss was about. Anyways she did manage to have her way in the end. Then of course the rustic uncle sitting next to me - making me fill his arrival immigration info card and the lady with the kid. Not much of a nuisance but still funny how I tended to stereotype so many of them. Then another fellow making a fuss over the name of the city being Kolkata and not Calcutta. I don't get it how people get the impression that this is a particularly funny or innovative joke. Then the guy peeping into my screen as I type this post(later I saw every male eye in the same direction and realised what it meant - there was a TV screen behind me and nothing short of a one day cricket match of India was on :D)
So arrival in India - New Delhi.. had to catch another flight from here to Kolkata. So here came the funny part. When the guy issuing the new boarding pass asked me how many bags I had checked in and wrote it on a piece of paper - I couldn't help remembering stories of people losing their luggage. Well I assured myself that at least it would have reached Delhi, so well I don't know how much of a difference that makes but still that was all I could do to fortify hopes. Then came the funny part. So while we nagged and cussed over the fact that we had to go through another security check at JFK - NY (desis/americans alike), not even a murmur was heard when we were told to do the same at Delhi.
So there I proceed to gate 1 where my flight is supposed to depart. I was pleasantly surprised to see a sign beckoning passengers to use free WiFi while they wait. I swished out my laptop and to my wonder it asked for a password. I said oh well at least they intend to provide some services and its the intentional that counts.. blah blah. [Nevertheless later I found out that we need to register ourselves to get a password, where should we know that is something I am clueless about] So I thought fine, I will simply write this entry. Perhaps a couple of people might even read it someday (when I force them)
Fact is there is such thorough unprofessionalism that its funny and sad at the same time. And avoid it as much as you can, there is no way you can be blind enough to find it perfectly alright. I guess the problem was more that I was getting weary of the wait and cranky. Anyway I will skip the rants about the last flight, just suffice to say never take Indian Airlines for domestic travel - seriously.
Even after being repeatedly told not to come - my oldest bud was there waiting at the gate with another friend. So now time for reactions. I was expecting that I look fat, maybe fair and a darkhorse was more umm smart or something but Kaani gave me a googly - he says I look tall !! he he he
And then came the moment I was waiting for a long time.. meeting my family. I will skip the details.
I was afraid everything would turn unknown and things changed but not too much. So after being forced into bed I wondered should jet lag hit me now .. well I tried to sleep for 3 whole hours, seeking the aid of music, that generally helps but not this time. Got a lot of things to do & people/places to visit - should be a good trip. Gonna get some shut eye somehow.
I think I will keep the rest of the entries as personal notes, not post them.
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