I am not sure if I will be able to compile the travelogue for the return journey as well, partly because its like going through the same set of things one more time, and more importantly, I am severely tired and totally out of shape after the 2-day function got over yesterday afternoon.
I am currenly at Chennai airport waiting area, having finished my security clearance, and baggage check. There was total chaos at the entry point, followed by another round at the baggage check-in area. There was no message board at the Gulf Air counter, and I had a hard time figuring this out. Some time later, a Gulf Air official apologized for the delay. I wanted to rip him apart immediately. I asked him if they couldnt put on a board indicating thier check in counter. He quickly ran away, and resurfaced with an excuse that the message board wasnt working. I then reprimanded him for not having any signboards or directions for the passengers to smoothly move from one spot to the next. Within 10 minutes the message boards at the Gulf Air counter were functioning, and the official promptly came upto me and informed the same. He then thanked me for the raising the issue and apologized again.
I then checked-in my baggage,and I was informed that the flight is getting delayed by an hour, and that light refreshments will be served after the security check-in. Check-in was smooth, and the baggages were well below the allowable limits. I was giving the boarding pass till Muscat and asked to collect further boarding passes at Muscat. During the immigration, the lady at the counter looked at the apssport for along time, and asked several questions about my location, occupation, etc in a suspicious tone. With security check over in no time, it was time to wait for the boarding. I, meanwhile, had a good sleep for close to an hour, and got up to stand in queue for the refreshments being served at a nearby counter. Immediately aftwerwards, the boarding started. By the time the plane started, it was full 2 hours late.
Seeb International Airport, Muscat, Oman 1230 hrs local time (1400 hrs IST)
With the schedule departure of my next flight to Bahrain being 1130 hrs, there was just more than an hour to get my boarding pass and check un the next flight. The counters serving the boarding passes were in complete mayhem. There was a huge crowd of people waiting to get their passes. Total chaos prevailed and passengers were getting restless. I stood in one of the lines and only later found out that the particular queue was serving a delayed flight to Jeddah, and there were 97 passengers stranded. (I got to know the exact number through an official who made an SOS call to a higher offical requesting for immediate help). I was getting anxious and restless at this moment, not knowing whether I would be able to catch my connecting flight in time A lady at another counter called for Bahrain passengers, and I moved into the line in front of her. Few moments later, she called "Madras-Bahrain", and I promptly raised my hand, and handed over my tickets. She searched around for sometime and found out already printed boarding passes for me. The departure time for the flight had been re-scheduled as 1200 hrs, half an hour behind schedule. I made my way through the departure gate and piced up a Mango Pulp drink and a chocolate cake piece to satisfy my hunger. After getting seated in the aircraft, there was no sign of the plane getting started for long. They were waiting for some missing passengers, and after a long time, decided to disembark their baggage and proceed with the journey. The plane started at 1330 hrs local time, 2 hrs behind the original schedule
Dubai International Airport Local time 1400 hrs (IST 1630 hrs)
The flight to Bahrain has a brief stopover at Dubai. The Muscat-Dubai flight was just under 45 minutes, so it was just take-off, refreshments and then landing. In no time, we reached Dubai. Passengers heading to Bahrain were asked to remain seated in the aircraft and not allowed to disembark. The crew then made several checks of the boarding pass and made repeated efforts to take a head count. in some time, we would be taking off to the next destination, Bahrain. Dubai-Bahrain journey is also a short one, close to 45 minutes. I need to find out if I would be getting a hotel accomodation at Bahrain.
Al-Muharraq, Kingdom of Bahrain Local Time 1630 hrs (IST 1900 hrs)
After the short flight journey from Dubai to Bahrain, I was provided with the transit visa and and a hotel voucher immediately upon arrival at the airport. I was driven to Hotel Windsor Palace along with 3 other transit pasengers. At the hotel, they kept our passports, and assured that they will be returned at the time of check-out. At the hotel, I took a sufficient nap, had my dinner and then watched the first quarter of OSU-Penn State Football game. I am back at the Airport now, waiting for my next flight to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt International Airport, Germany Local Time 0900 hrs (IST 1230 hrs)
I think the 2 hr syndrome isnt leaving me at all. My next flight to frankfurt also left approximately 100 minutes late. Dinner was served late night (thankfully!), and I had a good sleep. The seat next to me was vacant, and hence I had no company for this leg of the journey, except for the last few minutes. I was taking a short nap in the morning, when this girl jumped over me to sit in the vacant seat, since she had to cross-0ver two other people and a tray full of breakfast, and felt I was a much smaller obstacle to jump over. That was just about half an hour before the landing. She introduced herself as Victoria (though I am sure she must be using the k instead of c in her name), and was a Architecture student, studying in Germany (didnt get the name of the place, except for the lake that's close to their campus and borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland). She was returning from a trip to Phillipines, and was looking forward to going home before joining school.
I got down at the airport, and took the skyline to reach terminal C6 to catch my next flight to Dallas. I bought a bagel-like bun (with no hidden meat!) for 2 euros. the lady at the counter wasnt accepting dollars or credit cards. Luckily, I had just more than 2 euros from the currency I gained during my earlier stopover at frankfurt last month. I paid the cash and took a seat. Just found that the buckeyes trumped the Nittany Lions 28-6. The Buckeyes look like they are in serious form to avenge their last year losses. I am waiting for the flight to get into the US...
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, TX Sept 24 Local time 1500 hrs CDT (IST Sept 25 0130 hrs)
A very interesting thing happened before I boarded the flight at Frankfurt. Just half an hour before the boarding time, I showed my boarding pass to the official at the American Airlines counter. The lady directed me to the first counter on the right to go through some security check. when I showed my boarding pass, the dude at the counter went crazy. he said "Sir, you are too late for this flight. You were supposed to report here one hour before boarding for international flights. We will put you in the next flight". For a moment, i thought this guy was playing with me. How can he deny me a seat when I already have a boarding pass. I said I have been waiting here near the gate for a long time, and that no one ever directed me to such a check. There should have been some announcement or message asking me do so. At this, the two ladies at the nearby counters nodded, showing agreement with my point of argument.
I was asked to show documents like I-20, letter of support, and asked questions whether the checked-in bags were mine, and if I was carrying any banned item like liquids or gels. Immediately after finishing this check, I ran to board the flight. Without doubt, I was one of the last few guys to get into the flight, and for the first time in this long journey, my flight started on time. Food again became a proble, when the air hostess informed me that no reservation has been made agianst my name. I was made to wait for a long time,after which she asked me if I ate cheese. Immediately, I was provided with a large bowl of greens, and a couple of hard breads with cheese and some grapes. There was lot of food, and it took me close to 45 minutes to finish my lunch, and all this while I was made to feel like one animal, munching on cut vegetables.
I felt relieved on landing at Dallas. Finally, I entered the US - a known territory. I had to go through the Immigration and customs, where luckily no questions were asked, and I managed to bring in loads of podis (masalas) and some murukku. I checked in my baggage one final time, and waited for my next flight. Meanwhile, I grabbed a cup of coffee from Starbucks and made a few phone calls.
Port Columbus International airport, OH Sept 24 2100 EDT (IST sept 25 0630 hrs)
Our flight reached the airport 20 minutes before time, and was made to wait at the taxi in order for a gate to clear. Meanwhile the Captain apologized for the wait and remarked "All this for reaching early!". Harsha and Vathsa came to the airport to pick me up, and within no time, I was home. Yipeee!
Update: Went to school the next day and met my advisor, Lab coord and signed my Appointment paper for this Quarter.
Frankfurt International Airport, Germany Local Time 0900 hrs (IST 1230 hrs)
I think the 2 hr syndrome isnt leaving me at all. My next flight to frankfurt also left approximately 100 minutes late. Dinner was served late night (thankfully!), and I had a good sleep. The seat next to me was vacant, and hence I had no company for this leg of the journey, except for the last few minutes. I was taking a short nap in the morning, when this girl jumped over me to sit in the vacant seat, since she had to cross-0ver two other people and a tray full of breakfast, and felt I was a much smaller obstacle to jump over. That was just about half an hour before the landing. She introduced herself as Victoria (though I am sure she must be using the k instead of c in her name), and was a Architecture student, studying in Germany (didnt get the name of the place, except for the lake that's close to their campus and borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland). She was returning from a trip to Phillipines, and was looking forward to going home before joining school.
I got down at the airport, and took the skyline to reach terminal C6 to catch my next flight to Dallas. I bought a bagel-like bun (with no hidden meat!) for 2 euros. the lady at the counter wasnt accepting dollars or credit cards. Luckily, I had just more than 2 euros from the currency I gained during my earlier stopover at frankfurt last month. I paid the cash and took a seat. Just found that the buckeyes trumped the Nittany Lions 28-6. The Buckeyes look like they are in serious form to avenge their last year losses. I am waiting for the flight to get into the US...
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, TX Sept 24 Local time 1500 hrs CDT (IST Sept 25 0130 hrs)
A very interesting thing happened before I boarded the flight at Frankfurt. Just half an hour before the boarding time, I showed my boarding pass to the official at the American Airlines counter. The lady directed me to the first counter on the right to go through some security check. when I showed my boarding pass, the dude at the counter went crazy. he said "Sir, you are too late for this flight. You were supposed to report here one hour before boarding for international flights. We will put you in the next flight". For a moment, i thought this guy was playing with me. How can he deny me a seat when I already have a boarding pass. I said I have been waiting here near the gate for a long time, and that no one ever directed me to such a check. There should have been some announcement or message asking me do so. At this, the two ladies at the nearby counters nodded, showing agreement with my point of argument.
I was asked to show documents like I-20, letter of support, and asked questions whether the checked-in bags were mine, and if I was carrying any banned item like liquids or gels. Immediately after finishing this check, I ran to board the flight. Without doubt, I was one of the last few guys to get into the flight, and for the first time in this long journey, my flight started on time. Food again became a proble, when the air hostess informed me that no reservation has been made agianst my name. I was made to wait for a long time,after which she asked me if I ate cheese. Immediately, I was provided with a large bowl of greens, and a couple of hard breads with cheese and some grapes. There was lot of food, and it took me close to 45 minutes to finish my lunch, and all this while I was made to feel like one animal, munching on cut vegetables.
I felt relieved on landing at Dallas. Finally, I entered the US - a known territory. I had to go through the Immigration and customs, where luckily no questions were asked, and I managed to bring in loads of podis (masalas) and some murukku. I checked in my baggage one final time, and waited for my next flight. Meanwhile, I grabbed a cup of coffee from Starbucks and made a few phone calls.
Port Columbus International airport, OH Sept 24 2100 EDT (IST sept 25 0630 hrs)
Our flight reached the airport 20 minutes before time, and was made to wait at the taxi in order for a gate to clear. Meanwhile the Captain apologized for the wait and remarked "All this for reaching early!". Harsha and Vathsa came to the airport to pick me up, and within no time, I was home. Yipeee!
Update: Went to school the next day and met my advisor, Lab coord and signed my Appointment paper for this Quarter.
