My first visit was limited to Michigan where we stayed with Daughter's family during the period- 6th June to 21st November'03, Thanks to my Son'n-law who had sponsored that visit. Still I remember those multiples of pages he had sent me by post listing out Dos & Donts for International travels, Model Questions & Answers to tackle Customs & Immigration Authorities. Since I was stranger to PC & Internet at that time, they taught me the Basics at the Basement of their Villa where I had my own world daily for some time.While my first visit was a landmark in that respect, this second visit has taken to me to the new world of so called Blog, Facebook, etc.
Back to the present topic as under-
9th June’10 – Boarding Flight from Peelamedu, Coimbatore.
Since it was better to have one person to accompany us upto the Airport in order to hand over any luggage not accepted by the Check-in Authy on any ground like having prohibited, restricted goods or found exceeding the limit i.e. > 23 Kg per luggage for Check-in & >12 Kg for cabin, my brother at Coimbatore joined us. However, every thing was found within the limit. As there was only one public booth, Tata-indicom inside the Lounge area, that too working upto 18.00Hrs daily, I could not avail its services since my check-in started only after 18.00 Hrs, for calling Mahesh over Phone that we could board the flight without any difficulty.Our cell Phones were kept back at home under the custody of my friend for revalidating its Prepaid card on its scheduled date in our absence. Reliance Phone with my brother was not at all reliable refusing to accept ISD Calls for unknown reasons. He was then requested to convey the message from his home on reaching.
On 9th June at 20.20 Hrs we boarded Jetlite/ Air Sahara flight- S2646, Boeing 737-700 occupying window seat 22E & the near 22F, upto Mumbai- Domestic terminal. Seats were allotted only when Boarding passes were issued after check-in.
9th June – Arrival Mumbai, Domestic Terminal
Arriving at 22.05 Hrs, thro’ Jetlite Porter, picking our checked-out luggages on free service boarded shuttle bus, holding inter-terminal coach tickets, to International terminal when they were collected & checked in again by us. Though we were told by Mahesh earlier that they would be automatically carried upto Boston because of the tie-up between Jetlite & Airfrance, We were clearly told by Jetlite at Peelamedu Arport that they have no such tie-up but their partners jet airways have such tie-up with Air france. However, at International terminal, we could do it by ourselves & Immigration forms were also filled up at the relevant counter.Right from the beginning, we were repeatedly asked for the need of wheel chairs at all Airports because Mahesh asked for the same for our convenience.In case of asking for the same, we are supposed to alight at the last at every stop-over as directed by Air-hostess, when persons with wheel chairs will help us in moving us with luggages from flight to flight Then Seniors like us need not know the whereabouts of facilities, directions, etc. However, we declined & avoided chairs upto Boston.Idea of such elaborate text at times is unavoidable since it is our wish that others should take care of such lapses occured in our Tour.
10th June, 2010 – On BoardSince our onward flight AF217- Boeing 777-200 was scheduled to depart at 02.25 Hrs. we had enough time to complete all formalities without sitting idle.
In that connecting flight, we had seats at middle row only, 29F &G & were served snacks for breakfast at 04.00 Hrs, based on Menu card for choices, after which lights were switched off for sleeping.Every seat had a small TV Screen where we could choose & watch the entertainments variable from music, cartoons,Movies, etc by clicking the Menu. Taking off was shown with Parameters of speed, Altitude, Temp & distance travelled. Likewise, prior to landing at Paris on 10th, after travelling for 10Hrs, 10 Mins, such parameters were shown again in screen.We were served light meals just at 13.00Hrs, again on Menu card for choice. While landing, Airport was found wet with chilly winds from heavy shower overnight.
Co-passengers were courteous in helping us with keeping or removing luggages from Cabin Similaly, at Paris Airport, Crew & others guided us to the proper route to reach the other terminal far away to catch Boston flight.When we tried to board Shuttle bus to Terminal-2B with luggages, Rajam failed to get into the bus in time when it started moving with closing of Auto-doors midway. She somehow managed without slipping & falling. Simlarly, while getting down, my legs got entangled with the same doors about to close.Since I failed to intimate Mahesh over phone at Peelamedu Airport on safe departure, I tried the same at Paris Airport by using Public booth with US Dollars available with me but in vain due to such Booths could accept only Euro coins.I tried to exchange $ with Euro at the relevant counter but in vain again since could not follow the instruction given across the counter in French Accent.Then I tried US Credit card given for such purposes by Mahesh for the first time but got scared to swipe the same in the slot for security sake. Unwarranted but relevant thoughts like- what to do in case the card refusing to get out or money in dollars getting vanished due to some fraudulent means, etc.cropped up in my mind! I left finally the idea of calling & went back to the boarding Gate 31 where I could not find Rajam in 'Yadhasthanam' ! Why? What happened?
Let us get into the mystery world where Rajam went in my next Part- III!
Meanwhile, I remember a true incident in my life where lack of knowledge in specific language played a humorous part. Here it is!
When I was a bachelor employed in Chittaranjan Locomotive works of West Bengal, sharing Mess accomodation with other tamil bachelor friends during late 60's, we were forced to cook our daily bread ourselves. Milkman from adjacent Bihar used to give milk every day morning & evening.Since the cow-milk was not good enough to make solid mode of curd, we wanted milk man to fetch us Buffalo milk in lieu.Specific word in Hindi for Buffalo was not known to us initially.With great effort, we tried sincerely to make him understand our need!Having failed, we uttered in spoken Hindi- ' EMEN KA VAHAN KA DUDH CHAHIYE!', without knowing the vehicle of Lord Yama is Male Buffalo & not female. கொஞ்சம் சிரிக்கலாமே ! , PLEASE.
Now comes here, are few snaps of Panoramic views of Terminal Gates at Paris through my picassa album!
Look at vast space with less people in the rainy day!
Krishnan
