What I did in India - airports and taxi ride
After the long flight we landed in India, someplace called Mumbai. It was sooo different from what I saw in Chicago. There were more people, lot more people. I mean a lot more than I expected. And it was more colorful and more noisy. But that was where the good part (???) ended. Though there were a lot of people, no one helped Amma. She had to carry me, drag her cabin baggage, hand bag and my diaper bag.
Me being the good girl that I am, helped Amma as much as I could - simply by being quiet. But she still needed help from others to help point us to the airport shuttle bus. The public announcement system was bad (quite non-existant actually) and we almost missed our shuttle bus.
We made our way to the airport bus which was supposed to transport us to the domestic terminal. Maybe I am too young to understand it... but why do they have 2 airports? Couldn't they atleast have a train instead of buses? I know, I know - when you are not free to move and don't have much to do you keep thinking a lot of useless stuff. I can't help it!
Oh before I forget, the shuttle bus was where I was first introduced to those small buzzing beasts that suck your blood. I forgot their name... something like mos-quit-when-they-bite or something like that. I will tell you their name once I remember it. Whatever they are called, their bites were dangerous! I started feeling all itchy....
After reaching the domestic airport, we had to re-checkin our bags (grrr, who invented check-in security!) and were asked to board the flight to Hyderabad. By that time, I was already pretty excited (and tired) and decided to take a nap. By the time I woke up the flight landed in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad airport was nicer and swankier than Mumbai's. Hyderabad also has more kind souls that Mumbai, Amma says. She found more help more easily. She had to go collect our check-in baggage, while holding me in one hand... and tugging onto the other bags. Seeing her plight, someone came to help her. Of course that someone needed the help of another someone too. You see, we had a lot of luggage. Unlike most Indians, we had a lot of luggage on our way to India - than the other way around. Of course, that could be easily explained by my diapers and baby food.
As soon as we collected our check-in baggage from the carousel, Amma tied me into the stroller. That's how I am paid back for being a good girl! I bawled a bit but soon understood that 'all resistance was futile'. With the two someones helping Amma, we slowly made our way out. And there I saw someone familiar. Is that Jee Tata? But he was looking different from what I remember. And I was supposed to be suffering from stranger anxiety, you know. Atleast that was what Amma and Nanna kept telling everyone.
So, I started crying as soon as Jee Tata tried talking to me. Poor Jee Tata, he was very disappointed. And worried too. I could confidently say that he was expecting a different reaction from me. Something like a smile or a hug. Sorry to disappoint you Jee Tata.
He brought a taxi with him and we got into the taxi. To my surprise, the taxi did not have a car seat. Hurrah... no car seat. Freedom at last. I love you India.....
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