I started packing for my trip at 10:30am for the 8:30pm flight from JFK—those that don’t know—it’s a 1 ½ hour ride from my mother’s house. I was going to take the Airporter shuttle so my mother or my brother wouldn’t have to make the long drive on Xmas day. Airporter was closed and taxis not taking reservations being Xmas and all. So, decided to take train and subway. But, then my brother came over and saw that I was packing a suitcase---it was pretty light—and he felt pity on me and decided to drop me off. So both my brothers drove me to the airport. So nice of them =)
Before I left the house I had already checked-in online for my flight but once at the airport, I still had to stand in a python snake line for 1 hr! What was the convenience of on-line checking in??? The family behind me had the printed boarding pass from on-line and they had to stand on that ridiculous line! Oh well---I checked in my bag and headed for the gate. Was hoping I would get at least an eye-candy for the long flight but none really. I grabbed a sandwich, from a rude vendor that yelled at the customer in front me, and sat to have my first bite of food for the day. Time: 8:00pm. It was a 747 and had arrived late. They started boarding at 8:20 and that’s when I saw my eye candy. Probably in late 20s, dark, long hair (nape of neck), and just such a structured face. He looked like he may be a dancer…regardless had a nice slim body frame. Traveling alone as well. I took my liberties of staring at the features of the eye-candy but its been a long time since I actually started convos. I found my seat- aisle. It was 3 seater by window and an amusing site, the two guys and I were all hooked to our mp3 players and reading a book! None of us spoke to one another and the guy next to me kept having to go to the bathroom. But I wasn’t giving up my aisle seat! I barely had enough room for my legs…no way was I sitting inside!
The flight was delayed by two hours. Thank goodness to Ronak for giving me a book (Waiting by Ha Jini). I would have gone bonkers! I had forgotten my sketch pad and too cramped to write or pull out my laptop. I had lost my eye candy as well =( Also, we were seated behind a baby….a very cranky baby! Finally, the flight takes off—delayed cause JFK was short staffed on account of it being Xmas and the baggages were back logged in security. I was enjoying all the new random music I had uploaded on the i-nano. One of the CDs was Farshad’s band Cryptic Fate (Bangali rock band) –it had one song I liked so far, Onuprerona. The melody is rockin’; have to take a few more listens to understand the Bengali lyrics. Also listened to Fuad’s (Bangali music director) remixes, I really like his style and his explorations of fusing different styles—he does reggae, rock, Bengali folk and classical sounds—all melded together harmoniously! Bangladeshis are coming a long way on the music front! Flight takes off at 10:00pm.
On board movie I watched: The Wicker Man. Very disturbing film.
On board dinner: Beef casserole with mashed potatoes. Eh.
Drink: coke, white wine.
Tried to get sleep---not possible in those tiny little seats! I think I do prefer Kuwait Airways—at least I can get 3 seats to myself and sprawl out for a nap!
Finally landed in Heathrow and found the eye-candy again. Such a cutie! Ended up shopping in duty free and bought a Black Label for dada (the dad of the family I will be staying with) and some After Eight chocolate mints for the family. I am starting to get excited about landing in Bangalore. I am really starting a vacation! Well, a semblance of one anyway!
Now waiting for the connecting flight to Bangalore. Its 12:36pm (London time) and flight is at 1:40pm. I have the window seat this time. My poor legs will give out…my knee and ankle has already started acting up.
I should start writing some end of year notes to friends and family…
No comments:
Post a Comment