Flying Escapades - Part 3

We were inside the Bahrain airport soon. There was a security check and we finally got inside the lounge for transit passengers. We had a long halt in that country, almost 14-15 hours ! I don't remember the exact duration. We were told that the airlines would give us accommodation.

The Airport was empty. We were the only two unaccompanied women. We got a lot of curious glances. Anyway, we found someone who spoke a little bit of English and he directed us to the place where we would be given a visa. We got the stamp and were asked to go the Gulf Air Kiosk. We were greeted by lots of desis just as we got near that lounge; it was like a market and they all seemed like hawkers ! We refused their help and quickly went to the help desk. The person there told us that a bus would take us to the hotel soon. While, we waited there was a desi guy who also came there; we started talking. Turns out he was also going to Bangalore. Then another desi guy came there; both of them were also students. They suggested that we look around the city as we had a lot of time. Suchi and I refused saying we were tired and just wanted to crash.

Then we boarded a van that took us into the city. I was really amazed at the place. It had a lot of beautiful buildings. This was not like what I imagined. The place was rich ! We then went to our hotel which was very beautiful. It had a very nice ethnic decor. I think it was a 5 star hotel. Everyone right from the watchman to the manager was an Indian ! Surprise Surprise ! Most of them seemed like mallus. The watchman had the characteristic big veerappan type mousche. We got very nice rooms which opened into a patio where there was a big balcony and pool ! They told us that the lunch buffet would close soon and so we went to have lunch. There was lots of food for even a veggie. We ate happily and then slept peacefully. Then woke up in the evening, freshed up. By then it was time for dinner. Had another nice dinner. Then it was time to leave. The van took us to the airport; the ride past the city was beautiful as it was decorated with lots of lights everywhere.

We checked in and had some time to kill. We decided to do window shopping. The stores were very nice. They seemed to have all the latest things available. There was lots of gold and electronics stores. I was enamored by the perfume stores as usual. I found some to be cheaper than US ! And saw some European perfumes which are difficult to find here. I was quite impressed.

It was time to board the air-craft, we went to our gate. Most of the people around us were desis. Most seemed to be from the poorer section of the society. We were asked to go down via some dingy looking stairs to board the plane. I was quite surprised to be asked to down to ground level. We entered some big room which looked quite shady and it was filled with people. It was just like a bus-stand ! Only it was covered. There was the usual plastic chairs all around. Suddenly someone called out my name. I turned to find Jini sitting there. She also goes to our school and was travelling to Mumbai like us. She told us her story with the airline; we swapped stories and were all quite amused.

Suddenly there was an announcement for our flight. All passengers were asked to board. There was a sudden mad-rush like a mela. Everyone was running towards a small gate ! The three of us were shocked and stood rooted at the same place. We were like, what the hell is going on ? Why is everyone rushing ? Is nobody going to call out the seat numbers ? What was the rush for anyway ? The flight is not going to take-off obviously. The sight reminded me of a bus-stand; where people run and put their handkerchief or some other object to reserve the seat; only instead of a bus it was a plane ! Ha Ha Ha. I was greatly amused.

By now, the people were standing against a gate; when they asked the passengers to come to the gate; I did not think they literally meant a gate ! It was a grilled shutter gate ! With people pressed against it ! Then someone opened the gate and everyone rushed out. The 3 of us stood there gaping at the sight ! We could see the runaway from there. Where was everyone running to ? I was like, Don't tell me that I had to run/walk till the plane ! Then some van came there and started taking the passengers till the plane. As expected, we were the last passengers to board.

This plane was worse ( I never thought anything could be worse than the one we had come from London to Bahrain) ! It was smaller ! It was bluer ! Even the curtains had the same shade now ! I felt claustrophobic. I got the aisle seat in the 3 seats at the center. Suchi got the middle seat and there was a shady looking guy next to her. The whole plane was filled with a lot of shady looking men. They looked really cheap and dirty. They were only desis ofcourse. Most of them had the bata hawaii chappals. They had small suitcases which they kept on their laps ! We were quite shocked. I called the air-hostess to confirm if we were on the correct flight.

Jini was sitting in some other place and wanted to sit with us. We asked the air-hostess if she could swap and she told us to ask the concerned passengers. I then asked the guy next to Suchi if he would kindly move to another seat. He simply kept nodding his head and said no. I was quite irritated. Then I realized that he did not understand English. Here is where dumb charades helped. Finally, he got the idea and agreed. Phew. So the three of us sat together.

Then the flight finally took off. As usual it was scary. Everything wobbled. Then we had a nice dinner. The three of us were very happy to be going home and were in a very enthu mood. We felt that the plane was at a weird angle and was not straight. I asked at the steward and he assured me that it was straight. Anyway, we found that very amusing and kept laughing. We were a bunch of giggling girls again. The ride was short and we reached India !

The plane reached the ground; started taxiing; suddenly most people leapt to their feet and started removing the overhead baggage. The plane was still moving ! I was flabbergasted. There was an announcement from the Captain asking everyone to sit down. No one paid any heed to him. The air-hostesses tried to explain to the people to sit down. Finally they gave up ! The plane was still moving and by now people were thronging to the exits ! Another rush again ! This was crazy ! I was so shocked at their behavior.

I was so happy when my feet touched the ground....I had managed to survive Gulf Air ! I thought that my baggage was probably lost and was quite surprised to find that they had not. We cleared immigration and proceeded to the domestic airport to catch our flight to Bangalore.

What an experience it was !