Outlandish Memories

July 2015

( Flight from Mumbai to Zurich, and further on to San Francisco) 

After my eventful entry into the flight (refer to previous post) , I managed to squeeze in some sleep through the night. A few hours in, I woke up to breakfast being served, as we flew over picturesque mountains. 

Whenever I fly, my gaze always remains outward. Therefore I end up choosing the window seat by default. I can gaze into the sky, and the clouds for hours together. I could watch the sun go down, moon come up, and watch every hue in the sky through this transition. 

That morning I watched in awe, an enchanting sight. The sun rose up into the sky, and was just above a series of hillocks. By the foothills, ran a river. The sun reflected itself on to the pristine waters, and shone through, waking the town that lay beside it. It was green. And I could see tiny houses by the waters. 

Oh, could I live there? 

(I'm quite patriotic, and wouldn't like to live anywhere apart from India. But for this view, I could key in a few changes!) 

We had a very long haul before flight to San Francisco. The worst thing on long flight overseas, is to not being able to web check in. All 14 of us got seats spread out all over the aircraft. What a bummer! I was seated in the middle aisle, middle seat. I had a couple on one side, and a guy on the other. To add to that, my entertainment unit wasn't working. Talk about luck!! Well, the Swiss Airlines weren't of much help either. So I was stuck there, on a 10 hour- turned - 12 hour long flight. 

You want to teach someone patience, put them on this flight. You want to teach someone how to socialise, put them on this flight. You want to teach someone how to practice meditation, put them on this flight. You want to teach someone to lose inhibitions and share arm rests, put them on this flight!

I am quite an introvert, most of the time. But I picked up a conversation with the couple on my right. They were surprised that I spoke good English, being from India. Well, they don't know that the British left quite a strong impression on us all. Our spoken English seems to be better than our regional languages, many times. (Unfortunately, I must add.)

The guy on my left was quite quiet, himself. So I don't remember how we started the conversation. But in a matter of minutes, we couldn't stop talking... Turns out, he was from the town at the foothills, by the river I had seen that morning in Zurich *gasps* Too much of a coincidence!

We spoke for hours, about India, Indian dance, music, art, culture. About Zurich, and the US. His father was American so he had spent time in both the continents, and didn't even need a visa as his passport was half and half (uber cool!) 

He even shared his bar of Lindt dark chocolate with me (far too kind. I'd never share my chocolate!) 
At that time (read, before yoga), my usual reaction to change in climate or the slightest change in temperature, used to be sneezes, and a cold. So inevitably in the flight, I started sneezing, following up with "excuse me". He asked me, 
"is it rude to sneeze in India?" 
Hahahha!! Hmmm could put some thought into that.....  

Very soon (maybe not that soon), It was​ time for us to land. I really regretted not getting a window seat at this time. The runway in San Francisco runs into the sea. Oh how I wish I could have watched this spectacle. 

A very fidgety vibe in the flight, each of us were tired of the unending wait. We soon got off, and reunited with our family and friends. 

The one thing I realised then, was that I didn't even know his name. I didn't know any personal details. It's unlike me to ask, and we never got to discussing anything personal. Well, it's one of those dreamy stories then. That are just going to be memories, fond memories. He was my saviour on a long flight, where I had nothing to rely on. And it will stay so. 

I'm just very grateful for such lovely experiences, and beautiful people that I meet. This instance is one of many such, that I have had. I intend to pen them all down here on my blog. I want to share with you, the joy of travel. Knowing that there are magical stories waiting for you, just around the corner. Go out, and get them. 😊

Travel. 

Bag, Boarding, and.... Catastrophe?

April 2016:

I was supremely excited about travelling alone! I was doing it after years, and it would be the first time that I was doing this on my own, no help whatsoever, in planning or execution. I decided the place I wanted to be at:

~ Bali ~

Aah! Just the thought now makes me travel back to those blissful moments!

I had gotten all my bookings done, and was prepared with all my notes organized, thanks to lonely planet!

My notes, you have got to see my notes.

They are organized and reorganized based on;

the information I receive,

then categorized under the places I would be visiting,

further organized into the order that will be plausible during my visit.

I also have a sub category based on priorities and the ones I can forego.

Try it, you’ll be grateful ! :D

I knew that I would want to cycle around, so I wanted free hands and something more practical for all my stuff (there’s A LOT of stuff!)

So, I ditched my purse for a new (and pretty) backpack.

The bag was perfect. It was everything I wanted it to be. It had so many pockets, it was light, yet big enough to hold all of my things. I had carefully picked it out after much contemplation. I had taken days to decide which colour I wanted, and what size would be best.

On the day of my journey, my bag was all ready. After checking in my suitcase at the airport, I felt even more liberated. I gave myself a mental high five, for my wisdom and acuity. I know what you’re thinking…*exaggeration much??* Okay, so it may seem like a small thing to you, but I am big on doing silly things and then repenting. But noooo, I was on top of the situation this time. (Well done, Ashwini!)

I walked with long strides and free hands that moved in abandon. I may have danced along the way until the security check (oh travel has never been this easy, I nailed it!)

*Random Internal dialogue* :

“I can’t see what’s happening behind me, what if something falls out from my bag?”

“tch! Nothing like that will happen. Why do you get weird thoughts like this?”

Cruising through the security, I headed to the washroom that is just past the security counter.

(Have you visited the washroom at the Bangalore airport? Oh you must! I know it is weird stating this, but it will be your best and most convenient experience.)

There happens to be a platform above the WC. Very convenient for keeping the million things that one is generally carrying while travelling. My boarding pass was still in my hand, so I placed it there; and made sure I picked it while leaving the restroom.

*Internal dialogue* :

“What if I had left it there?”

*walking towards the wash basins*

“Phew that would be disastrous! “

*washing hands*

“Really, what does one do if one loses their boarding pass?”

“Ashwini!! Why do you get thoughts like this?”

*walking out and passing through the artefacts store*

“Sorry but just hypothetically….”

“No!”

“But just….”

“Nooo!!”

“Okay, lets eat?”

“Yesss!” *wide grin*

Now I am beyond the Malgudi eatery. I decide to check my boarding gate number on my pass, so as to be prepared and eat at a counter close to my gate.

I slide my bag off my shoulder and look for my pass.

Wait.

What?

Wait.

Noooooooo!!!

Where is my boarding pass??!!

Proof that a thought is quick to manifest.

Dear universe, I know that works, and works really well. Why did you have to find this moment to reaffirm that with me?!

*retracing my steps*

There were probably twenty steps that I had taken. How did this happen?

I couldn’t find it anywhere! Even the police at the security counter said they hadn’t found it. The ‘lost and found’ hadn’t found it. That’s it! I thought it was the end of my trip. I’m going to be asked to go back home. I was laughing! Literally standing and laughing, all by myself. I always do that when I’m in a spot like this. One of the best things I learnt from my family; the world doesn’t end, right? Papa always says, “maximum what will happen?”

I mustered up enough courage to go and report at the boarding gate. The lady at the counter was on a call. Those were probably the longest minutes of my life. (hurryyyy, I have a flight to catch! Umm….hopefully. *fingers crossed*)

When I explained the issue, with great remorse; she gave me that really horrible look. Wow, I could actually feel worse about what I had done. 

Turns out this happens often, and she was sick of passengers being casual about it. Oh I wasn’t casual, I surely wasn’t!

As we prepared to get a new copy of the boarding pass for me, I explained how I thought I wouldn’t be allowed to board the flight, and sent back home. 

Well, at least I gave her a reason to laugh….

All is well when you know that you are back on track.

*Internal Dialogue* :

“No time for a snack though!”

“*hmph* okay, will make peace with that. As long as I got to go on my trip."

“Yaayy Bali, here I come…..”