After our Continental breakfast, we left in the purple car again on our way to Mumbai domestic airport. This time when I went through Security, I was directed to a special line for "Ladies Only." There all the women were wanded by female security guards after passing through the metal detector. The security guard told me I looked beautiful in my salwar. Indians love it when Westerners wear Indian clothes. It's a way for us to show respect for the richness and beauty of Indian culture. I got through security with no problem.
I inadvertently caused a problem for Raja, though. When I was shifting some of the things from my bag to his in the hotel, I put the camera tripod in his bag. They asked him if he had any camera equipment, and he didn't know about it, and so he said no. Oops! They found it in his bag, an they were cranky, but it was okay in the end. He didn't get arrested or go to jail.
The ladies only line was shorter than the men's line, so with that and the other delay I had plenty of time to put on my jewelry, which I had taken off to go through security.
At security, we all got a special luggage tag with a stamp to put on our bags.
After we were all reunited, we went to the boarding area. The boarding counters were all very close together, and had a shared waiting area, unlike most U.S. airports. The guys went to look for some magazines or comics, but didn't find any they wanted. I went to look and bought some magazines. One called OK, the Indian version of People Magazine, which cost me only 40 rupees (about 86 cents.) It costs about 4.00 in the U.S. I also bought a magazine called Education World. It was fascinating because it talked about education in India. You know, teachers and principals are still allowed to spank children in school in India. Some children have been badly hurt, or even killed by cruel teachers. (Yes, those teachers will get fired and can go to jail.)
We often take our education, and our civil rights, for granted in the U.S.
On the way through the boarding gate, we showed our boarding passes to security, and they looked at the tags on our bags to make sure we had the stamp. Once outside, we boarded a bus to take us out to the tarmac where our plane was waiting. It was standing room only on the bus, so I stood and held on to the Man Cub, who was feeling a little woozy. I could tell the trip was a little rough on him, and he doesn't do too well when he's really tired anyway. He gets kind of cranky, like his dad. We made it onto the plane, climbing the long metal staircase and into our seats.
Domestic flights are always on smaller planes than international flights, so they are not as fancy. Both the MC and I wanted the window seat. We were going to wrestle for it, but the man across the aisle kindly offered to trade my seat for his. How nice!
It is illegal to take photos of Indian airports on take-off or landing, so there were fewer photos here. As we ascended, there were many layers of clouds. It was so beautiful flying up and out of these huge, fluffy clouds. I missed the best part, but was able to sneak a few photos... Oh, the lengths I'll go to for you, my readers!
On the plane ride, I looked up a few places I would like to go. Some of them I will not be able to see on this trip, but I will be sure to catch next time.
As we flew into Chennai, it was about 8:33 a.m, and it was already 82 *F outside. We entered the airport, and the first thing I see is an advertisement with ShahRukh Khan's face on it. Those of you who know me already know that he is my favorite Bollywood actor. He is in tons of ads all over India. I wish I could have taken a photo, but I wasn't sure if it was okay or not to take photos in that area. The next thing I saw when I walked in was a large statue of Shiva Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. The legend is that Shiva danced the world into existence. The statue shows Shiva dancing in a ring of fire upon the body of a demon. I went over to the statue and greeted Shiva, thanked him for my safe journey, and asked him to make sure my luggage arrived. I then joined the guys at the baggage claim, where, sure enough, my suitcase came out safely.
A man from the car company came to greet us, and he and another man pushed our full carts out of the airport. As we exited into the sunshine, we walked down a walkway with drivers on each side, waving signs with names on them. The kids noted that it felt sort as if we were famous, with other people taking care of our things, and walking down the aisle between all these madly waving people. As we were walking the gauntlet, who came to greet us but Anni and her husband. It was so great to meet them in person at last! She is so petite and beautiful. She reminds me of a hummingbird, she has so much energy. Her husband is tall, handsome, and, like me, fair-skinned and American. He was so friendly, I felt as if I had known him for a long time.
We had to cross the street to get to the car, and that was quite an adventure. Once we got there, we loaded the luggage into the car. Raja, Monkey, and I went with that driver, while the MC went with Anni and her husband in the other car.
I can not believe the traffic and the crazy driving. I took a lot of photos. Whole families are seated on one motorcycle, including babies and kids under 5 years old. Hardly anyone wears helmets. Women sit sideways on the backs of the bikes, wearing their saris. I've noticed that a lot of women in Chennai wear saris, which is a more conservative mode of dress than a churidar or salwar suit. I took tons of pictures on my way to Raja's parents' apartment (or "flat" as they call it here. They use a lot of British terms in India, remember. India has only been an independent democracy for 63 years. Actually, tomorrow is Indian Independence Day.)
I saw a cow on my way to the flat, but I missed the photo. I told Raja that if that was the only cow I saw in India, I'd be very upset. He told me not to worry.
I have so much more to write, but I am actually going to go shopping with Anni. Tonight I will tell you all about Chennai and put up a picture post. Until then, be good!
I inadvertently caused a problem for Raja, though. When I was shifting some of the things from my bag to his in the hotel, I put the camera tripod in his bag. They asked him if he had any camera equipment, and he didn't know about it, and so he said no. Oops! They found it in his bag, an they were cranky, but it was okay in the end. He didn't get arrested or go to jail.
The ladies only line was shorter than the men's line, so with that and the other delay I had plenty of time to put on my jewelry, which I had taken off to go through security.
At security, we all got a special luggage tag with a stamp to put on our bags.
After we were all reunited, we went to the boarding area. The boarding counters were all very close together, and had a shared waiting area, unlike most U.S. airports. The guys went to look for some magazines or comics, but didn't find any they wanted. I went to look and bought some magazines. One called OK, the Indian version of People Magazine, which cost me only 40 rupees (about 86 cents.) It costs about 4.00 in the U.S. I also bought a magazine called Education World. It was fascinating because it talked about education in India. You know, teachers and principals are still allowed to spank children in school in India. Some children have been badly hurt, or even killed by cruel teachers. (Yes, those teachers will get fired and can go to jail.)
We often take our education, and our civil rights, for granted in the U.S.
On the way through the boarding gate, we showed our boarding passes to security, and they looked at the tags on our bags to make sure we had the stamp. Once outside, we boarded a bus to take us out to the tarmac where our plane was waiting. It was standing room only on the bus, so I stood and held on to the Man Cub, who was feeling a little woozy. I could tell the trip was a little rough on him, and he doesn't do too well when he's really tired anyway. He gets kind of cranky, like his dad. We made it onto the plane, climbing the long metal staircase and into our seats.
Domestic flights are always on smaller planes than international flights, so they are not as fancy. Both the MC and I wanted the window seat. We were going to wrestle for it, but the man across the aisle kindly offered to trade my seat for his. How nice!
It is illegal to take photos of Indian airports on take-off or landing, so there were fewer photos here. As we ascended, there were many layers of clouds. It was so beautiful flying up and out of these huge, fluffy clouds. I missed the best part, but was able to sneak a few photos... Oh, the lengths I'll go to for you, my readers!
On the plane ride, I looked up a few places I would like to go. Some of them I will not be able to see on this trip, but I will be sure to catch next time.
As we flew into Chennai, it was about 8:33 a.m, and it was already 82 *F outside. We entered the airport, and the first thing I see is an advertisement with ShahRukh Khan's face on it. Those of you who know me already know that he is my favorite Bollywood actor. He is in tons of ads all over India. I wish I could have taken a photo, but I wasn't sure if it was okay or not to take photos in that area. The next thing I saw when I walked in was a large statue of Shiva Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. The legend is that Shiva danced the world into existence. The statue shows Shiva dancing in a ring of fire upon the body of a demon. I went over to the statue and greeted Shiva, thanked him for my safe journey, and asked him to make sure my luggage arrived. I then joined the guys at the baggage claim, where, sure enough, my suitcase came out safely.
A man from the car company came to greet us, and he and another man pushed our full carts out of the airport. As we exited into the sunshine, we walked down a walkway with drivers on each side, waving signs with names on them. The kids noted that it felt sort as if we were famous, with other people taking care of our things, and walking down the aisle between all these madly waving people. As we were walking the gauntlet, who came to greet us but Anni and her husband. It was so great to meet them in person at last! She is so petite and beautiful. She reminds me of a hummingbird, she has so much energy. Her husband is tall, handsome, and, like me, fair-skinned and American. He was so friendly, I felt as if I had known him for a long time.
We had to cross the street to get to the car, and that was quite an adventure. Once we got there, we loaded the luggage into the car. Raja, Monkey, and I went with that driver, while the MC went with Anni and her husband in the other car.
I can not believe the traffic and the crazy driving. I took a lot of photos. Whole families are seated on one motorcycle, including babies and kids under 5 years old. Hardly anyone wears helmets. Women sit sideways on the backs of the bikes, wearing their saris. I've noticed that a lot of women in Chennai wear saris, which is a more conservative mode of dress than a churidar or salwar suit. I took tons of pictures on my way to Raja's parents' apartment (or "flat" as they call it here. They use a lot of British terms in India, remember. India has only been an independent democracy for 63 years. Actually, tomorrow is Indian Independence Day.)
I saw a cow on my way to the flat, but I missed the photo. I told Raja that if that was the only cow I saw in India, I'd be very upset. He told me not to worry.
I have so much more to write, but I am actually going to go shopping with Anni. Tonight I will tell you all about Chennai and put up a picture post. Until then, be good!
Yay for luggage arriving!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to figure out where your photos are. Must See Them.
Love to you, my dear, dear friend. Give Raja and the boys a squeeze from your crazy KY sister.
I can't wait to see you pics! I have tears in my eyes, what an amazing journey!
ReplyDeleteTell Hari to keep you safe. I would be very put out to have anything happen to my sister.