ANUBHAVAM PUDHUMAI-4

We all had arrived at Boston Airport having been relieved of last minute tension while landing!
Now, let us all go back to Paris Airport where I had forgotten to add one interesting event in Part-3.
Just before arrival of Tamil family with whom we had happy rapport until boarding the flight, we both were sitting alone, looking aimlessly all over the Gate 31.One lady, looking more black than me, tried to attract my attention. Then, whispered,- 'American?' towards me.Feeling elated over this unexpected honour from unknown lady, I said-' No' But I truly wished to be an American for that moment since she reognised me as American though I was Black! Then, it suddenly struck my mind that there are Native Americans also Black called Negroes which they don't like called by some body. Was she trying to recognise me as Negro? Feeling upset over this just because I am not so Black looking like Negro, had it been, Rajam would not have married me at all.Fair & Black are just creation of God, whenever God runs out of fair colour, he uses Black, vice versa.Earlier, in my school days, my Science teacher failed to approve me as Iyer because of my complexion & declared me as 'Chettiar' instead because all other Iyer students under his control were looking fair! This inferiority complex was there with me all along until the Tamil Movie- நானும் ஒரு பெண்! released & became a HIT with popular song- கண்ணா, கருமை நிற கண்ணா! After all, our ALMIGHTY is also Black but every body adores him! 'Hello!'- A reminder voice from that lady brought me back to this world at Paris. She then produced a slip to me written as- I don't know English, Help me! Feeling elated again because I know one language which she does not know, Icould somehow understood her problem & solved the same by escorting her to the reception counter where she could produce her ticket & know her flight timings & the Departure gate.
Getting back to Boston Airport, we both could easily go upto the Customs clearance counter where we were certified 'OK' by the officer concerned after his going thro' the form submitted by us. This form along with Immigration forms for one each were given to us at Gate-31 before boarding the Boston flight. There was long queue at the counter concerned due to which we could take time off for refreshing us at the Rest rooms in between. I-Forms also were found OK after which I took one snap of Rajam all alone in the crowd. One stout lady in uniform rushed towards me & told not to take.I admitted that snap had already been taken which was then forcibly deleted & shown to her to her satisfaction. Then, we moved slowly towards the collection belt of Luggages & found the belt not at all moving. Place looked empty since all Passengers had already left with their luggages.Our luggages were found lying isolated in the non-moving belt.
Collecting them, we moved towards Security where scanning was done. Then came the tension- one Hand luggage was forced open by the staff in our presence.I seemed that while passing thro' scanning something attracted teir attention, hence the opening Among the items, there was one bunch of Brass lamps, small size.They asked us their purpose & we tried to explain the same.To our pleasant surprise, the American who did the searching asked the other person to tacklethe same.The other happened to be a Tamil person, hailing from Karaikkal. His Tamil was not fully understandable -' மொத்தமா எதாவது வசிருகிங்கள ' After repeated queries, I could understand that he meant to say that the purpose of the whole bunch of lamps.The American got convinced with his reply & neatly kept back everything in the suit case which was bulging out earlier.Then came the most unexpected word of JOY!' நன்றி! Who said that? None other than The American himself! Thereby the voyage was complete, starting with ' வணக்கம்' at start by the American at Chennai Consulate while granting us Visa & at the end as above.
Now came the stage of locating Mahesh waiting for us at Exit! It was equally interesting in other respect. Let us see that in our next Part-5.along with the link for Boston Airport snaps.
Krishnan