Eyes open
It is approximately 7 pm, Mumbai airport (International...hopefully)
Me: Why are we here so early?
Mom: Because the SOTC guy asked us to come at this time
Me: So where is he?
Mom: I have no idea. But lets just wait
Two hours later still no sign of SOTC guy. Not that I cared. I could handle it myself. I was the porter for 6 odd bags until now. Immigration forms cannot be that heavy.
Some formalities later..Eyes shut
Eyes open
I am walking through what is supposed to be an airport. But all I see are Persian carpets, tiffin boxes, more Persian carpets and lots of elderly people sitting on them.
Me: Where are we?
Mom: I told u not to drink so much of coffee…you are speaking gibberish
Walk, some more walk and a whole lot of wait later…. I see the light...Big white birdie... with purple wings... More purple inside...Alas! Thai Airways- As Smooth as silk
Thai Air Hostess: Sawasdee
Me: Oh Hi…I need a blanket
TAH: (big smile) Uhh.. later.. later
Me: No now now
TAH: (small smile) Okkk
Ahh!! Covered in purple warmth… Eyes shut
Eyes open
Everybody’s asleep… Hmm....I guess the food’s gone…So how can I kill some time?
Options:
1. The inflight magazine
2. Duty free
3. Music
4. Big screen movie
Option 4: Big screen movie: Nights in Rodanthe
Richard Gere and some white chick. I watch…and watch…Ok it is 3 in the night and they aren’t even doing anything. Wait they are doing something. Damn the hurricane... Oh wait they are back together... Damn Gere dies... THE END... Damn... I should have read the magazine.
The food’s gone, I was tortured by Richard Gere and the white chick and have lost on sleep. Great! Now the flight lands
At the exit:
Thai Air Hostess: (big smile) Thank you
Me: yeah yeah
DON’T ASK ME WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS. IT TOOK ME TWO DAYS TO RECOVER MY LOST SLEEP. THE BLAND THAI FOOD DIDN’T HELP MUCH EITHER.
As for Thai airways, I flew with them for another three times in those coming 10 days. I learnt to dress up more warmly, order for only Indian vegetarian and speak minimal English. They loved me so much that they threw in a complimentary Harry potter movie (or so I assumed). All in all it was a good experience!
Thai Airways- As smooth as silk worm
