August 30, 2011 – Airborne (Flying over Berlin) 8:35pm IST
So, the first international trip of my life has begun. After many years of planning, thinking, praying and many other thing(s) finally it’s time for something different. Almost 7 hours into the flight and I haven’t yet felt anything boring except for the first hour, which went thinking, how to spend the rest 8 hours in the flight. Thanks to this wonderful new friend, an NRI, who has made the journey quite engaging with lots and lots of discussion around topics ranging from India to US, Horoscopes, Astrology etc that have taken up all the time, and there is still more to come. I excused myself and settled myself into my upper class seat, which converts into a bed. I must say, the first international travel experience has been quite exciting till now.
The day started with mixed emotions of leaving friends, family and my real close ones back for almost 2 months. I cannot complain, as it has been my decision in my own best interest. Had completed packing and stuff by late yesterday night, hence there wasn’t too much tension that I carried early in the morning. Quickly got ready and went for breakfast with the most wonderful person of my life. A special someone who holds a special place in my life for all the special things that we have done to each other over the years ever since we have known each other so closely. It is always so wonderful to be with people who matter so much. I wasn’t speaking too much as I dint know how things would be couple of hours later. The unknown and unwanted stuff kept running at the back of my mind, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking all that I dint want to. Its exasperating, how sometimes, emotion takes a toll on you even when you are heading for something good. And the fact of the matter is that you don’t necessarily get all that you want in life always. Thankfully, for me, someone close to me provides a lot of strength and support which helps me wade past the toughest of situations.
After having a lavish breakfast it was time to leave for the airport before which I cross checked all the things that were “must have” per my list. Calls kept me busy during my journey to the airport. The check-in wasn’t all that smooth, even though I held a business class ticket, as I had to wait for a long time before I was handed over the boarding pass. It was due to some technical glitch and I guess that is how system works at most of these places. Generally, a person who pays a bomb (not that I paid from my pocket, still) holds some advantage to him/her but it was no different than the regular economy class passengers for me. Huh! Look at me, I am talking as if I have always travelled first class... I along with my friend/colleague reached the VIP Lounge as there was still sometime before boarding started. Calls kept pouring in from friends and family wishing luck for my new endeavour, and more so because it was my first international trip. Everyone was seemingly excited knowing about the fact that I am going to do something great...haha..well things and mindset of people and families are so different I feel, in urban and not so urban cultures. Anyway, I guess it makes me feel happier to know that there are so many more people who are so happy knowing about the progress in my life. I feel lucky to have such supportive family, friends and colleagues during these times.
All the discussions and talking that we did in the flight with this new friend was quite interesting, with each of us sharing our views and beliefs with each other at a bar, (where alcoholic drinks are served) 35,000 feet above the ground in the middle of nowhere. The most important fact that I learnt was that I am doing better that 98% people in the world in terms of the family, life and work, and that is enough a reason not to brood over trivial things. This guy is pretty young but the fact that he highlighted, definitely had an impact on my mind. I immediately thought that I am proud to be what I am today as I have been honest all my life (at all possible junctures), with all the people who matter to me and in my relationships as a brother, friend, partner, everywhere and then to add to it, I am doing better than 98% of the world population only adds to my happiness and mental strength. Do I really need to regret about anything in life now? Well I guess not.
The hospitality so far as has been quite good and the crew has been extremely courteous all through the journey, since the time I checked-in at the airport. My colleague, who is travelling with me, and I have clicked few pictures ever since we started our journey from Delhi. I will be putting them up along with the blog. Presently, I am just an hour or even lesser, away from my final destination (Heathrow, London), however, I will be posting my blog only when I land there and check-in to the hotel as the flight doesn’t have the wi-fi facility . The interactive map (personal screen) on my seat shows that we are flying above Amsterdam, and with the looks of it London isn’t too far from here, as the crew members have suddenly become quite active, moving with stuff from here to there and vice-versa.
More once I reach the hotel and settle down, until then, take care!
So, the first international trip of my life has begun. After many years of planning, thinking, praying and many other thing(s) finally it’s time for something different. Almost 7 hours into the flight and I haven’t yet felt anything boring except for the first hour, which went thinking, how to spend the rest 8 hours in the flight. Thanks to this wonderful new friend, an NRI, who has made the journey quite engaging with lots and lots of discussion around topics ranging from India to US, Horoscopes, Astrology etc that have taken up all the time, and there is still more to come. I excused myself and settled myself into my upper class seat, which converts into a bed. I must say, the first international travel experience has been quite exciting till now.
The day started with mixed emotions of leaving friends, family and my real close ones back for almost 2 months. I cannot complain, as it has been my decision in my own best interest. Had completed packing and stuff by late yesterday night, hence there wasn’t too much tension that I carried early in the morning. Quickly got ready and went for breakfast with the most wonderful person of my life. A special someone who holds a special place in my life for all the special things that we have done to each other over the years ever since we have known each other so closely. It is always so wonderful to be with people who matter so much. I wasn’t speaking too much as I dint know how things would be couple of hours later. The unknown and unwanted stuff kept running at the back of my mind, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking all that I dint want to. Its exasperating, how sometimes, emotion takes a toll on you even when you are heading for something good. And the fact of the matter is that you don’t necessarily get all that you want in life always. Thankfully, for me, someone close to me provides a lot of strength and support which helps me wade past the toughest of situations.
After having a lavish breakfast it was time to leave for the airport before which I cross checked all the things that were “must have” per my list. Calls kept me busy during my journey to the airport. The check-in wasn’t all that smooth, even though I held a business class ticket, as I had to wait for a long time before I was handed over the boarding pass. It was due to some technical glitch and I guess that is how system works at most of these places. Generally, a person who pays a bomb (not that I paid from my pocket, still) holds some advantage to him/her but it was no different than the regular economy class passengers for me. Huh! Look at me, I am talking as if I have always travelled first class... I along with my friend/colleague reached the VIP Lounge as there was still sometime before boarding started. Calls kept pouring in from friends and family wishing luck for my new endeavour, and more so because it was my first international trip. Everyone was seemingly excited knowing about the fact that I am going to do something great...haha..well things and mindset of people and families are so different I feel, in urban and not so urban cultures. Anyway, I guess it makes me feel happier to know that there are so many more people who are so happy knowing about the progress in my life. I feel lucky to have such supportive family, friends and colleagues during these times.
All the discussions and talking that we did in the flight with this new friend was quite interesting, with each of us sharing our views and beliefs with each other at a bar, (where alcoholic drinks are served) 35,000 feet above the ground in the middle of nowhere. The most important fact that I learnt was that I am doing better that 98% people in the world in terms of the family, life and work, and that is enough a reason not to brood over trivial things. This guy is pretty young but the fact that he highlighted, definitely had an impact on my mind. I immediately thought that I am proud to be what I am today as I have been honest all my life (at all possible junctures), with all the people who matter to me and in my relationships as a brother, friend, partner, everywhere and then to add to it, I am doing better than 98% of the world population only adds to my happiness and mental strength. Do I really need to regret about anything in life now? Well I guess not.
The hospitality so far as has been quite good and the crew has been extremely courteous all through the journey, since the time I checked-in at the airport. My colleague, who is travelling with me, and I have clicked few pictures ever since we started our journey from Delhi. I will be putting them up along with the blog. Presently, I am just an hour or even lesser, away from my final destination (Heathrow, London), however, I will be posting my blog only when I land there and check-in to the hotel as the flight doesn’t have the wi-fi facility . The interactive map (personal screen) on my seat shows that we are flying above Amsterdam, and with the looks of it London isn’t too far from here, as the crew members have suddenly become quite active, moving with stuff from here to there and vice-versa.
More once I reach the hotel and settle down, until then, take care!
2 comments:
ahmm ahmm....u did exaggerate abt ur business class a bit yess :P...but i jus luved ur pics...n i soo feel like travellin sumwhere too :((...
yes i know I did...as it was my first time :) thnk u thank u..will try n click more of them and update u with them...and the moment u feel like travelling..just let me know...it will b done..thats a promise :) aur kuch comment nahi aaya yeh blog padhkar?
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