Dubai, a city created by visionaries for the world

Many of us might have a dream destination to visit, and few of them would have Dubai as that destination. My wife had the same. She had acquired great knowledge about the emirates from various websites, which helped me understand various places' significance.

Prime Minister, President, Crown Prince

While visiting Dubai, one would appreciate the vision Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, and Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid had for the emirates and Dubai.

Flight:

So after a failed planning in March 2016, we planned to visit the man-made city this November (2016). To let you know, October to February is the best time to visit Dubai & other parts of the UAE.

After research of 2-3 days, finally, we zeroed down on the dates. When you are visiting Dubai, one thing that has to be kept in mind is that they have Sun-Thu as weekdays, and Friday may be a holiday (OR closed for visitors) at a few of the places of historical importance. For example, the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque.

While traveling from Mumbai, you have few non-stop flight options - Jet, Air India Express, Indigo, flyDubai, and a few more. Because of the timing, I chose Air India Express. Etihad or Emirates Airlines do not have a direct flight from Mumbai to Dubai in the morning.
On the fare, Air India Express was at par with Indigo and a little cheaper than Jet. However, it also makes you feel cheap. And therefore, after this trip, I have decided will never choose Air India Express unless there is any urgency.

Anyway, if you are a traveler and like to have vacation thrice in the year, you have to become a little conscious of your wallet and believe it makes you wiser and a better planner, ensuring you don't end up going over-budget while making most of your trip as you had wished. However, if your budget permits OR you don't want to compromise on experience, you can afford to be adventurous. 

We created an itinerary for 4-nights & 5 days to explore all places we wanted to visit and the activities we wanted to do. As we always do, we clearly marked dates and time when we wanted to visit them. This helps you in saving time when you are actually there.

Visa, OTB, and Travel Insurance: 

Few things that you need to plan ahead are - Visa (apply 10 days in advance), Okey to Board, and Travel Insurance. Unless you are visiting Dubai en-route to some other destination, you will have to apply for a 14-days visa that would cost you around ₹6000 (USD 100) / person. Unless you are traveling through Etihad or Emirates airlines, you need to get 'Okey to board' updated on your ticket. Your Visa Agent would do that for you. You may negotiate to get it done in Visa cost itself OR pay a little more on that. If you do it separately with Airlines, it may cost you approx. ₹700 /person. Travel Insurance is another important thing and will cost up to ₹800/- for two a family, and you shouldn't leave without it, as it ensures peace of mind in a foreign country.

Forex:

Other things you need to get is Forex. Ensure you get Travel Card as well as Cash. Travel Card is a little cheaper than cash in terms of Forex charges. If you are a working professional, then you may contact your employer's Forex agent. It may save you some money. I have been told that you may exchange currency in Dubai as well, but I didn't check myself if it would be expensive OR cheaper.

Mobile SIM Card:

So finally, we landed on Wednesday. The first thing one should do is buy a tourist SIM card from the airport, as it helps you connect your trip/activity organizers. I bought Du telecom's SIM. It cost AED 55 and gave me 20 voice minutes, 20 SMSs, and 200 MB along with  AED 80 worth Uber ride free, which almost covered my ride to my hotel - Rove Downtown Toronto. Another option is the Etisalat Telecom Plan, which will cost you AED 100/-, almost double what cost in Du's plan. 

Hotel - Rove Downtown:

Rove Downtown from Burj Khalifa

Breakfast under Burj Khalifa 

Earlier I had booked Hilton, but it was far from Dubai Mall, so I changed it to Rove. It is opposite the Dubai Mall, and you can watch Burj Khalifa from your hotel room. We loved the hotel not only because of its location but also its service.

If possible, book a hotel near Dubai Mall and Shaikh Zayed Road. In the center of Dubai, it ensures the best mobility for you across Dubai. It may cost you a little more than anywhere else, but worth the time and money you'll save later.

Only 15 km from Airport, Rove was just 100-200 meters away from the Main Entrance of Dubai Mall, 1.5 km from Dubai Mall Metro Station, which was very important. We were planning to use the metro extensively for our local conveyance.

Dubai Fountain:

We reached our hotel around 5 PM, and after getting ready, we walked to Dubai mall to witness the Fountain show. It happens every 30 mins from 7 PM to 11 PM every day (timing may vary on different days of a week). You will love it unless you have already watched the Bellagio Fountain Show in Las Vegas. But still, it is worth watching and free of cost as well ;-).

Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque:

The second day was going to be tiring as we were traveling to Abu Dhabi to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Because we knew we would be able to come back to Dubai before 3 PM, we decided to do Desert Safari as well in Abu Dhabi only.

Abu Dhabi is approx 75 Kms from Dubai, and the best & cost-effective way to reach there could be a bus from Ibn-battuta OR Al Ghubaiba Bus station. It would cost AED 25 /person-way. However, it will drop you at the Abu Dhabi main station, and you may have to come back 15 Kms back the same way to Abu Dhabi Mosque. We took a shared cab from Ibn Batuta Main station to save time, it dropped us near the mosque, and we took a cab for another 5-6 km. It cost us more than the bus trip but saved us approx 1-2 hrs in a time.

Mosque has a dress code for both men and women, so check their website. But don't worry, if you're not adequately dressed, you will be given Abaya (Females) & Kandura (Men) free of cost. Just have your id proof as a security deposit.

The mosque is undoubtedly beautiful with the same architecture as of Taj Mahal. I don't need to write anything about that here as you will know when you visit.

Desert Safari:

From there, we went to Al Wahada Mall, which is near Main Bus Station from where we were supposed to be picked up for our Desert Safari. We had our lunch in the Al Wahada mall Food court. It had great options. After that, we went to the bus terminal, where our 4x4 Driver was waiting for us.

There are many tour operators in UAE for Desert Safari, and costs vary from AED 75 to AED 300 / person. You have to do your little research online before booking your tour. I got a deal on Groupon that saved me some money. We booked with Emirates Adventures, and it was awesome. On the safari, you get to experience, Dune Bashing, Camel riding, Sand Sliding, and it ends with a traditional dinner (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and Belly Dancing. The whole experience exceeded our expectations. It ended around 9 PM, and our driver dropped us back at the Main Bus Terminal. From there, we took the bus to Dubai. I guess Bus terminal is the only place I went where they didn't accept cards, so please have enough cash. We reached our hotel around midnight, tired. But shouldn't go to your room without having Arabian Coffee and dates, a refreshing treat.

World Islands from the top of Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa:

The next day our plan was to visit Burj Khalifa in the afternoon and later Global Village in the evening. For Burj Khalifa, we had found a good deal on Groupon. Else you may visit the Burj Khalifa website and book your tickets.

Global Village:

Global Village - China Camp

Global Village - India Camp

After Burj Khalifa, we traveled to Al Ghubaiba Bus station from where we were supposed to take a bus to Global Village. Global Village is about an hour's drive from Al Ghubaiba. And it is a kind of cultural gallery where you will see exhibitions of approx. 32 countries. On Friday they have fireworks as well as a Parade. The ticket cost only AED 15/person. One must visit Global Village if one has time and want to do some shopping. However, It's very crowded, so if you don't like that, please skip it.

Public Beach, Atlantis Hotel

Burj Al Arab - (World's only 7* hotel)

Madness at Atlantis Hotel

The next day was Saturday, and we had planned to visit Public Beach, Atlantis Hotel in the morning, Gold Souk, and old Dubai in the evening. The public beach is 3-4 km from the 'First Gulf Bank' Metro Station. You will enjoy your time on the public beach. And may click pictures of Burj Al Arab Hotel as well. However, a trip to Atlantis is a letdown. First, it is at the end of Palm, and you get stuck in traffic. It cost you approx. AED 60 just for few clicks. However, you may take the monorail from near Dubai Internet City Metro Station. It cost AED 15 / person way and is a good option if you really want to and lick a few pictures of Atlantis.
 

Gold Souk & Spice Souk

After that, we traveled to Gold Souk. It is near Al Ras Metro Station in Old Dubai. Gold Souk is good, but you may skip it if you are short on time. However, if you are there, you can't stop clicking pictures of the body size gold ornaments. I couldn't imagine who, except a few Indian Idols, could afford to wear them - not because of the price but because of ornaments' weight. After this, you may also visit the Spice Souk as well. You'll enjoy them if you are visiting from a western country.

Deira Creek

Abra in Deira Creek

From here, you may go to Deira Creek. There are boat rides as well as evening dinner cruises there. We had done enough cruises elsewhere, we chose to do a little boat (Abra) ride from Deira to Bur Dubai. It just costs AED 1, and you will enjoy Old Dubai's Skyline. If you are doing Cruise, ensure you do enough research booking one, as few may prove to be fake on their promises. As you exit from Bur Dubai Abra Dock, you enter the street market. It is a great place if you want to buy some memorabilia, and you must bargain for the best price - start from half of what is quoted.

Central Bank of UAE

When you walk back towards Al Ghubaiba Metro station, you can see Dubai's central Bank and the Office of their Finance Ministry near the station.

From here, we went back to Dubai Mall for one last night view of the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. It was, once again, a great experience. It was almost midnight when we walked into our hotel.

The next day, before departing for Airport, we again walked to Dubai Mall to have Coffee at Tim Hortons and say good buy to the Burj Khalifa. 

Here we concluded our Dubai Trip and took our cab to the Airport.

Transport:

Rental Cars in Dubai are cheaper than in North America, and the driving experience is awesome, so if you are eligible, you should definitely drive there.

You may be able to drive in UAE - 

If you have Passport and Driving License from the same country and UAE govt. check Dubai Driving Authority's website if it allows your countrymen to drive in Dubai

OR you may get IDP from your native country.

Cabs are not very expensive and cost approx. AED 5 (first km) + 1.5 (subsequent km). However, few drivers at a few specific places may start it from AED 12 (first km). I didn't understand the logic, though.

Dubai Metro Map

Public Transport is fine, but it has to be supplemented with cab rides. For Metro, you have to buy NOL Cards. Although for tourists, they recommend Red Card but Buy silver card as it will also allow you to take the bus if you have to. In the UAE, bus drivers can't accept cash. You have to pay upfront at the terminal (intra-city) OR get an NOL card (inter-city Dubai). So ensure you have enough cash for the round-trip, as all bus-stops may not have NOL card terminals.

Artistry at Al Ghubaiba Metro Station

Moreover, few Metro Stations like Al Ghubaiba & Al Ras are designed beautifully with paintings and designs. One must visit them.

One thing to note, though, on NOL cards, they have some weird recharge options which ensure that you end up leaving some money (AED 5-6) on the card when you leave Dubai. Anyway, Metro Trains are the fast and most cost-effective option to travel longer than 5-6 km.

Other Important Tips:

• Research well and plan itinerary saves you money as well as on-time
• Use Groupon to find local deals.
• Rent a car, but it can't use Metro for long-distance, it is fast and efficient.
• Carry Water bottles from Hotel as it costs AED 5 / bottle (500 ml)
• Carry a small bag with your Passport and Id documents, and also light snacks

Our final Itinerary:

Weekday	Day	Date	Time	Destinations
	Day-0	14-Nov		Visa
	Day-0	15-Nov		Okey To Board
	Day-0	15-Nov		Travel Insurance
Wed	Day-1	16-Nov		Flight
Wed	Day-1	16-Nov		Dubai Sim - Du Telecom
Wed	Day-1	16-Nov		Uber Cab
Wed	Day-1	16-Nov	5 PM	Hotel
Wed	Day-1	16-Nov	10 PM	Dubai fountains
Thu	Day-2	17-Nov	9 AM	Sheikh Zayed mosque
Thu	Day-2	17-Nov	2 PM	Lunch
Thu	Day-2	17-Nov	3 PM	Desert Safari - Groupon
Fri	Day-3	18-Nov	1 PM	Burj Khalifa - Groupon
Fri	Day-3	18-Nov	4 PM	Global village (Friday)
Fri	Day-3	18-Nov	11 PM	Dinner
Sat	Day-4	19-Nov	6 AM	Public beach
Sat	Day-4	19-Nov	9 AM	Atlantis / Burj Al Arab
Sat	Day-4	19-Nov	1 PM	Lunch
Sat	Day-4	19-Nov	5 PM	Gold Souk / Spice Souk
Sat	Day-4	19-Nov	7 PM	Dubai Creek/Barasati Beach
Sun	Day-5	20-Nov	3 PM	Uber Cab To Airport

A Trip to the Sin City and the City of Dreams - LV & LA

As days of going back to school were coming closer, we decided to have this one more trip to two of the best global destinations - Las Vegas & Los Angles. Although, we were planning to have this for  a long time, but few other trips (Miami-Orlando & NYC-Washington) in between derailed the plan to visit the Sin City.

Although I had already been to LV in Dec-2009, this was the first time I was planning to go to LA. However, last time, it had become very cold when we were in LV and therefore, I wanted to ensure this time we plan it before US Thanksgiving. And as you may know, the best time to visit LV, a desert, is Oct-Nov, when days are not very hot and nights are not very cold. So we finalised our travel dates to be Nov-19 to Nov-24. We were planning to spend 3 nights in LV and 2 nights in LA. Though I wished, I booked it for longer so could enjoy more time in both the cities.

Habitual of taking domestic flights, I forgot to keep a time margin for Immigration formalities at Toronto Pearson Airport. We reached the Airport 5 minutes after the check-in counter was closed. This was the first time, when I had to plead the airline staff to allow us to go even though she said that she wouldn't delay the flight if we didn't make to the gate on time. Got through the first hurdle of check-in, we were lucky there was no big queue on the immigration counter but found ourselves in a long queue of security checking. We were getting very anxious, and when security office asked me about the liquid gels in my bag that were above 100 ml limit, I just asked him to throw them instead of arguing with the reasons.

Carrying my duffle bag in both hands as if I am carrying a baby, I and my wife started running towards the gate and was able to made to the flight before the gate closed. It was the second time (after my inaugral internationl flight, Mumbai - New York) when I was about to miss the flight but ultimately was able to made it. Anyway we took a deep sigh of relief, when we sat on our seats. From east cost to west-coast, it was going to be a long flight of 5+ hrs. However, because of time difference, we landed at LAX at 12:30. We needed to  change our flight to LV, after 1 hour. so we enjoyed our Privilege Lounge access (thanks to BMO Elite Card) for a while and got on to another flight bounded to LV. 

Las Vegas:

In a short 1 hour flight, we reached LAS at 3:30 PM. Here we needed to pick a car from SixT Car rental company, which was outside the airport, and we were required to take a train to the Car Rental office. This whole process stole 2 hours from our time. After picking our car, as we do on all the trips, instead of going to Hotel from here, we headed to nearest Walmart, about 5 miles from the car rental company. we picked up snacks for us and headed to the hotel.

During our last trip, as bachelors, we had stayed in Imperial Hotel. It was right opposite Ceasers Palace. Although that hotel was not in business anymore, I was convinced that I wanted to stay somewhere near the same location. And therefore, we decided to stay in Flamingo Hotel. It was a lovely hotel, and using my BMO elite card, I also got special offer on price as well as food. It was indeed a great deal. 

In the hotel, as happens always in any LV hotel, we were standing in a serpentine queue to get our checkin formalities done while casino was gradually warming up. However, while my wife, stood in the queue for me, I tried my hand in blackjack, but before could loose more, I became wise. Soon we were in our room for some private time.

Bellagio Musical Fountains

When on the strip, you can just roam around and enjoy the view without doing anything else. As we passed through various hotels like Caeser's Palace and Bellagio, the first thing you shouldn't miss at any cost is Bellagio Musical Fountains. I believe it is one of the most enjoyable things on the Strip. We drove to Luxor Hotel to see Egyptian theme and gambled in MGM Grand at par - No loss and No Win. Besides this, if you are a fan of theatre and drama, Las Vegas hosts many live shows and one show you shouldn't miss is Blue Man Show. I believe it is one of the best mono acts happen anywhere in the world. 

Second day morning,  we drove to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyan. Although, we were not very interested in going to Grand Canyan, but I believe it is a great view if you have enough time to go as it takes few hours of your schedule. A Bus takes you to the actual canyans as you are not allwed to drive beyond a the ticket booths. A magnificent engineering marble, Hoover Dam is one of the grandest want man-made water body I have ever seen. A magnum opus in itself, it makes you appreciate the grand vision the team that put Hoover dam to reality had. It was a lovely drive to to Hover Dam. we were back to our hotel by 4 PM. We had our dinner in one of the indian restaurents adjacent to the strip.

Gandola Ride

Third Day, we moved to Circus-Circus Hotel as we wanted to cover north part the strip. Circus-Circus is a good hotel, but it is very secluded from all the buzz of the strip. So, I wouldn't recommend it to everybody. We started our morning with some shopping from Las Vegas North Premium Outlet Mall and ended our day in Venetian with Very romantic event of the trip - Gandola ride followed by fun in the 'Tao' night club. If you are newly-wed OR soon-to-be-committed, these are two things you should not miss at any cost. 

Los Angeles

Next Morning, we headed to our next destination - LA.to LV is abour 4 hours, 270 miles away. Starting at 9 AM, we reached our next hotel - Best Western Hotel, Norwalk Inn. We chose this hotel because of its location. It was almost equi-distant from various attraction of LA - Santa Monica Beach, Long Island Beach,  Hollywood, Griffith Observatory etc.

Griffith Observatory

After checking-in, we headed to Griffith Observatory. About 30 mins away from the hotel, we reached there in time well before sunset. However, one thing you may find difficult to get near the observatory is the parking. it is very crowded, and weekend evening is even more. So, be ready for that. It was a lovely evening which ended with some scientific knowledge.

Next day, we wanted to visit many places, and to ensure we are able to cover all of them required a tight planning. The best way to do that is put all destination on the map and visit them in sequence, while also considering their opening/closing or best visit time. So I created a plan for us as - Santa Monica Beach / Pear, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Walk of fame, Hollywood sign, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Union Station.

By keeping beach visit in the morning or evening, you can enjoy both sunrise & sunset at the beach. Most of the other places were of historical significance, and for us largely photo venues. Overall drive of 100 miles was ok for me while travelling these multiple places. However, having this on Sunday, saved us from the nightmarish traffic of LA. If you want to make it little relaxed, you may skip few of these places.

We ended our evening at Long Beach with

our drinks in our hands. It was a great way to conclude the vacation. Next Morning was little tense, as needed to work with peak hour traffic while travelling to the airport, car rental and then ultimately to the terminal. However, having a flight little late in the morning, made it little relaxed. Travelling via Minneapolis, we were back in Toronto before midnight.

Overall, although hectic, we loved the overall experience and it was great fun. However, as they say 'what happens in vegas, stays in vegas', so wouldn't disclose any more details here ;-).

An Evening in Paris....Longest Journey

So I have come back from vacation. As great was the time in India, as difficult was the journey back from India to US. This time two elders, parents of my colleague in US, were also accompanying me on the journey. It was the first time when they were boarding a plan, leave going out of country aside. I had the big responsibility on my shoulders to ensure they get the best flight travel experience possible. We had a mid-journey stop at Frankfurt. Because of bad weather, in Europe, things didn’t go as planned. We were already running late and Pilot was hovering over Frankfurt seeking a possibility of landing. After an hour, and total of 12 hours since flight took off from IGI Airport Delhi, Pilot decide to fly to Paris.

That day I got to know that, according to Vienna convention, it was not possible for our flight to continue in the air beyond 14 hours. Per Vienna convention, same crew can’t continue in a flight beyond 14 hours and need 10 hour of break before resuming the service. As we landed on Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport in Paris, it was very certain that we were in a big trouble. Air India didn’t have any active office in Paris and there was not a remote possibility that we could fly any time sooner than in the evening that day because Frankfurt crew could not be transferred to Paris immediately.

But worst was yet to come. It was first time for me in the Paris and so was for 70% of my co-flyers. We had a cultural shock at Paris airport. We were taken to the Transit Area, no-man’s land, a place where you don’t even have water, rest-rooms, forget food. Air-India had collaboration with Air France. To my further surprise, there was no crew-member who could speak English. This was the first time I realize how important to learn foreign languages in this globalized world. All Americans and Europeans were allowed to enter the main airport. All people with Diplomat Visa were also allowed to roam around the city, and there we were, mostly Indians, struggling to get couple of water bottles. It was a tough situation to be in. We had many infants who, by now, needed more stuff than what was present there.

After 2 hour or so, when I got to know that we would not be traveling to Chicago before the evening following day, it just blew my mind. It was almost impossible for us to stay in transit area for two days. I went to Air France personnel and insisted on getting somebody who could speak English. After much time she got me a guy who could speak English, although in a strong french accent. I requested him to get me the Flight Manager of Air India. I’d got to know that even though Air India may not have a crew station in a country it must have a Flight Manager at all the major airports. After much persistence, One French lady who was wearing the Air India ID card came. I tried to get first hand information about when we would be flying to Chicago, on which she replied 6 PM the next day. This was the confirmation of more troubles that are on our ways for next 30+ hours. She quickly went away.

In the mean time, we had persuaded our French hosts to arrange few water bottles, sandwiches and milk for infants. However, unfortunately for me, there were very limited number of vegetarian sandwiches and they were off the self as they came. Although neither I nor my two dependents could get anything but water, now, I wanted to pursue Transit Visa for all of us who were there. It was again a big struggle to get to Air-India manager. She politely told me that it was not possible for her to arrange the Transit Visa for all of us, and it must have to be followed with Indian Embassy in Paris and French Government. Somehow I was able to convince her that at least we should get Visas for mothers with infants and old people above 50 years of age. She came back after one hour telling us that it is not possible to get any Visa. I requested her to connect me to Indian Embassy.

The official, in embassy, I spoke to was very polite to me. I offered to send her the pictures of the situation where infants were crying and people were struggling to get even water. She told me that she would do whatever she cold. By this time it was almost 12 hours since I was in transit area without anything in my stomach. First good news came when we got the information that we will be getting Visas for families that have infants at least. It was consoling up to some extent. Till now, my body was crying out loud for fuel and I, along with 2 co-passengers, had started pursuing the possibility of food. It was embassy and Air India Management that came to our rescue and we were given food voucher and escorted to airport shopping area and then back to the transit area. Here, once again I waited till the end to ensure each one of us gets food first. My bad luck continued and by the time I reached there, there was no vegetarian pack was available there. I came back with a Cheese cube and a water bottle.

While this was happening, I, along with few fellow passengers, was still trying to convince authorities to grant all passengers the Transit Visa. Good news came at 3 AM when we were told that all of us would be getting group visas and hotel accommodation in three groups. From the Visa authorities’ perspective, this group was like an atom, smallest indivisible entity. We needed to ensure that all in one group clear the immigration together while leaving the airport and while entering the airport next day. Any person left to do so, might get into all new legal formalities. People chose me the leader of one of the groups I was part of. Now I not only had the responsibility of 2 people who were accompanying me from Delhi, but also of 38 people in my group who were not strangers any more. We reached hotel at 4 AM.

As I had estimated that it would take approx 4 hours to complete the check-in and immigration formalities of so approx 150 passengers, we left the hotel around 12 noon next day. I conveyed the same to other group leaders in other hotels. We gathered at the airport at 1. However, there was no proper management to start the formalities for our flight. It was at 3 PM when we got the check-in started. Most of us were Indians and many of us couldn’t speak English or even Hindi, leave French aside. I and two more youngsters who could speak two other Indian languages, Tamil and Telgu, volunteered to mediate between the passengers and airline crew for Check-in formalities. Ultimately we completed all Check-in formalities by 7 PM. One crew member expressed his gratitude by telling me that it was impossible to get this done without having us as mediators. All of them thanked 3 of us for the support we provided.

So by this time our flight has already got delayed by 60 minutes. In another 1 hour, we completed all the immigration formalities as well and took off to Chicago. We reached Chicago at 4 AM and our flight to Atlanta was at 8:30, so our wait continued was much of the struggle was over. It took almost three days to reach Atlanta from Delhi.

This was one of those experiences that would live with me throughout my life.

First evening in US.....

Things have really not been easy till now. I used to think it should be very comfortable to reach your place while traveling overseas but as a wise man said, when things start going another way, then they don't stop until u reach your destination. It happened to me as well and my struggle continued in the US.Things have really not been easy till now. I used to think it should be very comfortable to reach your place while traveling overseas but things were not that easy.

After getting down at Newark International Airport, New Jersey, I tried to get some info about the hotel where there was a room booked by Air India for my overnight stay before I proceed to Atlanta. I somehow located the Air India counter and a fellow Indian over there. He inquired and told me that it was Hotel Holiday Inn I needed to check-in. As I stepped out of the airport, wait for my shuttle seemed even longer because of the chilling winds piercing my body like a knife.

However, my real challenge came when I reached the hotel. It was an unexpected situation. The guy at the reception told me that the booking slip I had with me was not enough & he required an Air India Voucher. Now things were becoming difficult cause I didn't even have any contact no. of Air India where I could call & confirm the things. Ultimately I asked for the manager & told him that I'll pay for myself but before he should confirm that with Air India & check the status. He agreed, after 10-20 minutes of talk, the situation came under control. The manager made a Voucher for me, gave me the keys & escorted me to the room where I was expected to have some rest before morning struggle begins.

As I was too tired, I just unbuttoned myself & got into the bathroom where I had my first interaction with Toilet-paper :-). After relieving myself with this toilet paper I just switched on the taps for tub & just unwound myself in the hot water of the tub.

Couldn't sleep because of back pain arose due to a long journey & nervousness of catching the next flight. For the flight of 8 O' Clock, I got ready @ 3'O Clock only & reached the airport by 4 to catch a flight to Atlanta.

By 10 PM I was walking down the longest airport terminal as I was not aware of the shuttle trains inside the airport. Anyway, finally, my struggle seemed over as I stepped into the cab to Exit 11, Alpharetta home. I was so relieved reaching my destination, I gave the driver $50 tip on $50 invoice.

First trip to states

Flying across sea-shores is definitely a new experience & if you are doing it the first time then it becomes really special......

Saturday, Feb 28, 2008, early Morning in India.....didn't sleep whole night...coz next day got to catch the flight.

Pic: Waiting before boarding the flight

It's 3' O Clock...Roomies were just trying to pass night somehow to avoid sleep, so did I. At 3:30 I got up, zipped my bags & ask them to get ready to see me off to Airport. I went to look for a cab. Got the cab, loaded my bags & ourselves in it.

Within few minutes, 4' O clock, and we were @ the airport. My room-mates were not allowed go beyond a point, so I had to see them off there only & proceed to check-in my luggage. And by 4:30 AM, after completing all the immigration formalities, I was in waiting hall for the flight of 7:50 AM. It was really very boring & frustrating to wait in a room on sub-normal temperature & I was still thinking about yesterday's evening how sweet it was. To save myself with this, I plucked earphones of my mobile in my ears to listen to some music which could cost me very dearly. While I was enjoying my music, they were announcing the boarding of the flight AI-191 & it was just 10 minutes before the flight when I asked somebody about it & got the answer the flight had already started being boarded. It was really a panic situation for me. I picked my handbag & started rushing towards Gate# 16 for the boarding. Suddenly I got a call from an unknown no. & it was the Pilot of the AI-191. He was asking why I m being late & his flight is being delayed because of me. I didn't have anything to say except seeking an apology.

Anyway, I boarded the flight.

The first view of an international flight was surely not pleasant. So many people, so many bags, Air-hostess 'aunts' (as it was Air India) blocking the way to move forward. SO much turmoil in the flight.....God....guess it was not enough for the day :-), yet to see much more. Somehow I got my allotted seat but what I see - somebody had already captured it & this was the last thing you could expect on a flight at least in an international flight. As I thought I might have mistaken, I asked Air-hostess about Seat# 49A & she helplessly pointed towards the same seat. Now I had to confront the person directly who were sitting there. But, oh god, they were German People & not very good with English. Nevertheless, what I could understand from their statement that they were father & son who were allotted separate seats while they wanted to sit together. They were asking me if I could sit on the seat allotted to them & I answered that I requested for window seat & I wanted to sit there only. On this, that person requested his son to go on his seat but his eyes were still requesting me.

I don't know why, but this was the first time in a long time when I got the feeling that I was not a person only, I was an Indian & my adamant nature would affect India's image adversely at least in the eyes of all those foreigners who were seeing this conversation. So I left my point & relinquished my seat & took another seat.

It was the longest day of my life, lasted almost 20 hrs. After almost 10 hrs we had a halt at Paris International Airport & those German people left the flight there. while they were leaving the flight they thanked me but I saw that as they were not thanking me, but with the gesture & posture of 'Namaste', they were thanking an Indian. I acknowledged that & smiled.

My First Journey to Trivandrum.......

In college, I got my first Job offer & that was from Biggest IT organization in India & since the day I was selected to the day I needed to join, I made so many expectations about this Organization & about my future.

After passing out from the college & lot of wait for the joining, that much awaited day Oct 27th, 2005 had come, when I was leaving to Trivandrum, Kerala (GOD's Own Country). I always had a wish that I would go to Kerala, & this is what else than a lovely coincidence that I was joining an Organization which had its Corporate Learning Center In Kerala itself. I was very excited about all these coincidences. I won't be wrong, if I would say that that journey from Jhansi to Trivandrum was the most exciting journey in my life & even God made all the arrangements to make it even more excited.

When I & one of my friends boarded the train, we were just excited about the job environment & Kerala tour but we were not aware that there were many flavors of the season were waiting for us.

This was an evening train & after a gossip of almost 4-5 Hrs, we went to sleep. When we woke up in the morning what we were told that Train was running 4 Hrs late.

When we were in Ramaguntam, somewhere in Andhra Pradesh, we got the news that because there was a flood in Chennai & whole Tamilnadu belt and one train had already fallen into o some river, our train would be routed Via Secunderabad. Till this time train was already running late by almost 7-8 Hrs. In Secunderabad, we got the news that many other trains which were following us had been stuck in Flood.

Anyway, this was the Palghat (Palakkad), from where we entered in Kerala. I had some special feeling, this was the evening & train was running late by 10 Hrs. The first evening in Kerala was really beautiful. By night about 10'O clock we had reached the Ernakulam, & there we got the news about Bomb-blast in Paharganj (Delhi).

Till this time I had got the good estimation of what I was going to get in Trivandrum to eat. Till now I was living on the food & snacks I was carrying from my home as I was not very fond of Idli-dosas.

On Oct 30th after a journey of more than 60 Hrs (originally of 47 Hrs.) at about 3'O clock we landed at Trivandrum. There were many people sailing in the same boat as we were. Then we started searching for some means of commutation to the hotel where we were directed to go for the accommodation.

This was really a great experience that at mid of the night we were searching for some computation which could take us to our Hotel & the biggest hurdle in this was the Language. We couldn't speak/understand Malayalam, & those guys couldn't speak/understand Hindi or English either. Anyhow, we managed by a combination of sign language & few English words. We were aware that our accommodation would be in Hotel Highness Inn, but even the Rickshaw-wala who was carrying us to that place was not sure about its perfect location. Anybody can imagine how would be feeling in that midnight when our Rickshaw-wala was asking other Rickshaw-walas whoever he met in our way about this location. Ultimately one of them told him that this was the same hotel which they used to call Highness Bar (Most famous bar of TVM having 3 Bars). Then we had understood that although we were not getting accommodation in any 3 Star hotel, we got a 3 Bar hotel.

Somehow about 4'O Clock we were standing in front of our Hotel. We went to the manager & asked him to show us the way to our room. He was a real nice guy. Even in that Midnight when we disturbed him in his sleep, he was smiling. We were two guys & fortunately, we got a two-person bedroom.

This was the first day (though I shouldn't say it a day) in Trivandrum.