…. First Flying Abroad Experience …

Hey but you know what can’t leave out citing or keeping a record of my First Flying Abroad Experience!! So writing it all once again….. . and remembering those moments! 

First of all a word of caution for everyone. This particular blog is for more of just myself, for my memories of all those small things.. small events … incase I feel to revisit the times!! So predicting it to be quite lengthy J Here it goes… 

All started with packing things… Thanks to Dad and Niti, I kind of didn’t have to touch the packing section at all except for the necessary documents to be taken. And as a part of cost cutting, had borrowed Sampu’s baggage!! Thanks Champu…. J So by evening was quite ready to go. Flight only at 1.00 midnight, rested for sometime, had dinner and we all got ready to leave. Felt good to see so many friends to see me off… Actually felt moved. And got even more senti with mom crying over phone and giving those pieces of advice (which I feel is common with all the mothers in the world) Great MOTHERS Community!!!!!! Somehow with all these feelings, felt like crying while leaving all and entering the airport for check in. But somehow managed to stay calm. Still was not at ease from within. New place, new procedures, well but nothing caused much of problems inside the airport except for that had to stand in queue for around 45 min to get the boarding pass. Got it , filled up some forms, and entered the waiting room. There was thinking would be alone. Meanwhile my phone was continuously ringing with so many well wishers!!! Thanks to everyone!! I miss you all over here.. just everyone!!!!Well… well… well.. to proceed… felt relieved to see one of my seniors. Then thought of having a coffee and as I was going to take seat somewhere…. Looked at a familiar figure!! Hey it was my college friend Satish. He was too waiting for a flight to
Paris. Thought great….. someone to give company till I depart. My flight was first….. Chatted with him for some time. Then at around 1.30 boarded the flight. Was feeling very sleepy by then…… But the first impression of the flight was just below average for me. The leg spacing , no private screens, male air-hosts!!!!! Well to begin with it seemed bad for me!…. 

Somehow managed, had dinner and snacks. Waited to arrive
Frankfurt… Reached
Frankfurt at around 7.30 A.M. their time….. Was astonished to see the magnanimity of the airport. Such a huge campus!! My God……. A bus then dropped us at one of the terminals. Though there were some 150 Gates where the planes are landed… the directions on the display board were sufficient for me to reach my Gate. But as I proceeded towards the waiting area, they asked its too early and asked me to roam around.. Then thought ok.. Whats the loss.. had almost 6 hours in hand… Started to roam around. The place was WOW!!! A shopping Mall….  Just like Garuda Mall,
Bangalore….. Went through the shops. All being custom free shops….. Well everything was tempting.. (Planning to bring some swiss chocos while coming back..!!!!!)  So caught up with my senior while wandering, and then we sat through the SkyWay and roamed around between the terminals for sometime. Came down and then proceeded towards the waiting room at our Gate. As we sat in the waiting room, could see the wonderful scene of flight landing. As much as a flight in 30 seconds.. And from all nations…. Swiss, Croatia, Korea, China, India, US, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan,
Canada… what a place!!!  

Then all of sudden felt hungry…. Thought of having something. Brought Coffee and something called ‘Croissant’ (nothing but toasted buttery bread!!) was ok.. but had to cash out 12$ and got euros in return!!!! Still have around 7 euros.. planning to spend while going back. So, then we waited for the announcement to board the plane… Finally the moment came for the second flight!!!! With great anxiety, I boarded the plane only to find the same situation as in first!!! Middle row sucks!!! But amongst these disappointments, the only thing that didn’t fell so bad about was food!! Atleast they provided some rice item which was fortunately edible. Had it and again opted for a quick nap. Soon announcements started out concerning filling the I94 and custom forms… I94 being the form related to the duration of our stay at US…..Heard those and filled up the forms.. Ya made mistake for the first time.. replaced the forms and refilled them up…… And waited for landing Phily… my destination!!!! At last reached at 4.50 p.m. US timing.. the flight being half hour late…. Got down.. waited for around half hour for lugguage.. collected it..  From the visitors gallery the place outside looked too good.. awesome.. good roads.. speeding vehicles and lush green in background… WOW!! Then caught a cab and got myself seated next to the driver to get a real taste of the roads and speed…. And he did speed up to 100-120 km/hr.. Ha ha ha !! great ride. And then he was originally from carribean but settled in US since many years. So he was just explaining all
US history and Carribean history and stuff…. Was a nice chap! He dropped me at my Hotel.  

By then it was almost 6. and already started to get dark. Got a room from reception and JP helped me out transport my lugguage to my room. Went mad to see the room!! Two bedroom suite with total 3 televisions.. (ya that’s another thing none of channels interesting!!) but still….. and later learnt in all that suite cost me 160$ per night!!!! What a waste of money!!! Anyways…. So got fresh somewhat. Don’t know ate what that night! Nothing I suppose .. was just exhausted .. so slept….. 

But before sleeping wished myself the best for the days I was going to spend over here at
Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States of America!!!!! Well so far, so good!!!! J 

Yeh thi meri choti si kahani!!!!!