The queasy feeling at the pit of my stomach whenever I reach an airport started showing itself again when I arrived at Sahar International Airport, Mumbai. I have learnt to live with it now. I suppose it is the fact that I'd have nothing to identify myself with for the next 24 hours except my passport. No address; no family; no friends; just a few printed sheets of passport. I know that perhaps this is making too much of a big deal about nothing..:) So I am going to stop. After traveling for 2 hours by car (another of Mumbai's travails), we arrived at the airport a bit off schedule. I am not one for saying goodbyes. A brief nod at my parents, a kiss on their cheeks and I was gone. I didn't look back.
Well, after a long and tiresome journey, I was relieved after I cleared customs at Atlanta. The sight of 'Starbucks' warmed my heart..:) After Paris Charles de Gaulle, I have realized how well equipped American airports are. Rather thankful for it. I peeped out the window at Lexington before landing. I was happy to get back to this sleepy little town that has been my hometown for nearly 2 years now. Frankly, I have become rather wary and sick of big, huge cities. Boarding and arriving at these monster cities leaves me exhausted. Mumbai is one monster of a city. Though I did enjoy some aspects of Mumbai, I figured I'd rather not spend my life there. Endless traffic lines, crowds and queues for everything from groceries to airport check-in lines have left me rather jaded. Atlanta was no relief either. I had to wait for a long while before my baggage even showed up and the jostling crowds didn't ease anything. I don't mean to complain. I guess these are the normal appendages of being in big metros.
The flight arrived in Lexington. People didn't jostle to get out of the flight. Everyone was leisurely sitting in their seats waiting for the line ahead to clear up. I did the same. I liked the relaxed atmosphere..:) The sight of k and rs bought a smile to my face. I picked up baggage with little problems and in a few minutes, I was home.
After the crowds of Mumbai, I confess Lexington looks like a ghost town to me! My apartment feels even more weird. I have become used to the colour, liveliness and throb of India after nearly 2 months there. I miss the noise. Sigh. It will be sometime before I get used to this again.
9 comments:
'The queasy feeling at the pit of my stomach whenever I reach an airport started showing itself again when I arrived at Sahar International Airport, Mumbai. I have learnt to live with it now. I suppose it is the fact that I'd have nothing to identify myself with for the next 24 hours except my passport. No address; no family; no friends; just a few printed sheets of passport. I know that perhaps this is making too much of a big deal about nothing..:) So I am going to stop.'
- Some people (like me!!) spent almost their entire life identifying themselves with passports, or even worse hotel room numbers...24 h is a very small period of time. But things like these teach you about the finer nuances of life and travelling, which you can't learn from a book or a friend. Between when you left lexington to India and now I am sure you have become slightly more knowledgeable. As to the making a big deal about it part...I am used to it;)
Hmm... And you've been to Srirangam too while in India? It's been a long time since I went there. I miss it.
You managed to read a book this time?
ak, why are you so happy that she's back from india ?
Hello,
Can you hear me now??
Its so silent out there that everythng is clearly loud isn't it?
I've been there done that..!!
Take care, You'll get back to your Lexington-Life pretty soon.!!
Venky,
Well, saying your "entire life" is too much..just 4 months tops and you're talking like its a lifetime..:) rejetted!
>>Between when you left lexington to India and now I am sure you have become slightly more knowledgeable.
I don't know what I became knowledgeable in. I learnt never to stand/sit next to a cranky two year old kid who hates flight journey!
>> As to the making a big deal about it part...I am used to it;)
you better! LOL
@jinguchakka,
Yeah I went to Srirangam..btw, Jinguchakka- peyar kaaranam ennavo?? hehe..
@ferrari,
no but I ended up watching two back to back movies- Tim Burton's "The Corpse Bride" and Reese Witherspoon's "Just Like Heaven".
@AK,
:)
@Anon,
?
@Venkitu sir,
thanks..I sure will and people in Lex will definitely ease the transition..:)
Yeah! Walking down the rocky road, I do not know what awaits me hey, but I am ready for fun, Yeah baby I am ready for fun.
_What I felt when I left home. :-)
@ Truly Yours,
that feeling fades after a couple of times for me...:)
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