Saurabh Wagh, reporting on board LH 757
The signal to keep the seat belt fastened has just gone off and so here I begin my blog on board – LH 757. I cant really express how I am feeling at this moment, but the best I can say is, kinda sad after saying a goodbye to all the folks back in India, kinda excited over being in an international flight for the first time in my life, staring here and there at everything like a newborn baby.. and ofcourse , a lot more curious over everything that is yet to come.. But first, let me brief you on the good bye drama…
It was 10 in the night and I still had all my stuff scattered all over the place.. I made some hasty phone calls to friends asking them to come a little late as I needed to get done with all this chaos before they arrived. I was in a big mess and cursed myself over not beginning with the packing a little early, though let me tell you, how much ever early you start, you are bound to reach this same state. Amidst this mess were the phone calls ringing to wish me a happy journey.. and I could not turn down any of those.. My neighbor came to meet me and give his best wishes and that again took some more time.. also, there were too many last minute additions to the luggage and it was bothering me too.. Finally, I was over with all the packing and told myself, whatever was remaining could be sent with someone later… but no more packing. But before I could take my bath.. my friends arrived.. I hurried up with the other chores and joined them. They were all prepared and had come with a cake.. it really helped to lift the mood.. All at home also got involved in the cake cutting and we had a party of sorts before we finally set out..
At the airport, I was with dad s friend who was gonna be with me till the final security check. He insisted that we enter and complete the boarding formalities even before my friends reached. I agreed reluctantly as I was scared at the prospect of not getting to come out and meet them.. since they had come down this far to say a good bye to me. Done with the boarding and the mighty task of baggage checking and collecting some forex, I tried to move out of the airport and to my shock, something had gone wrong somewhere and I was not being allowed to come out.. After a lot of pleading, I finally heaved a sigh of relief as I was allowed to come out.. I was just praying to avoid any emotional drama here and fortunately, there was none. I guess, my parents are even more strong and immune to such things than I am. My mom was more worried about me missing the immigration and security than emotional abt sayin a good bye.. I had a photo session.. and then some hungama with friends.. bhouji had come down to the airport too to bid me a good bye.. so had chat with him too.. dad was looking too excited abt me going.. n he too was cheerfully getting involved in the conversation with friends… and mom.. angry that I wasn’t getting over with all this and moving in for the immigration and security.. so I was assured.. no emotional drama.. I m lucky my mom doesn’t watch the K serials other wise I m sure she would have wept..
So moving on, I went to the immigration counter, submitted the form and that was done, no one asked me any questions, no declaring anything. I moved to security, had one last talk with parents on the cell phone that the fellow accompanying me was carrying and then bid a good bye to him too. At security , all went smooth except when I removed my jacket, the coins in my pocket were all over the place and the security guard had a hearty laugh.
Done with security, I moved to my correct terminal gate and waited for the boarding announcement.. and as any other smart Indian, stood very close to the gate from where I had to get in. Unfortunately, the airline ppl were smarter, they let ppl go only in a specific order and with due respect to Murphy, I was in the last lot to climb in.
It took quite some time for all the security checks to get over and the aircraft finally showed some signs of motion. Murphy struck yet again with the place next to me being empty. With a reflex thought, I initially thought, probably someone will board at the next station. It took some time for me to realize that ok, there was no next station coming and no one was gonna board mid air.
Lufthansa was comfortable, airhostess were cute (though the executive class got the cutest ones compared to the economy). Then it was dinner time. They served me some unidentifiable stuff which i bravely consumed. The only thing that I knew was that it had some chicken and that was enough for me to eat it gladly.
Done with the dinner, it was 4 AM Indian time, time for some sleep. Though , I could hardly sleep. I got up around 6 AM coz of lights being switched on and they were serving breakfast. Man .. !!! these ppl are fast.. a 2 hour break between lunch and breakfast !!! It was some fantastic irresistible food though. I guess, after this satisfying breakfast, I felt like noting down this first experience of an international flight and so, I picked up the notebook from my handbag and started writing this account.. and so .. here I am, Saurabh Wagh, reporting on board LH 757