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Published: July 24th 2008
Spanish girl was going to Vaduz, the capital of Liechenstein. I wished I could elope with her. But instead went with Rajesh to Zurich HB. The TGV from Zurich to Paris left at 7:02 am and dropped us in Paris Est station 4.5 hours later. It was a speed train and we traveled first class. I could feel the speed only when another train zoomed by the window within seconds at the speed of lightening. As we neared Paris, I saw the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre again, but felt no joy. We had to take the train to Gare du Nord station and from there the RER B to the Aeroport Charles de Gaulle. I realized that we were doing everything in reverse to the start of our travel. The very same father-son duet musicians played their French notes; it failed to cheer us. But, this time, we had change in Euros to tip them generously. It was time to go home and face reality and we were both down in the dumps.
Our flight to New York was at 2:30 pm. We were at Charles de Gaulle airport at 12:30 pm. With 2 hours to spare, we wondered which
the terminal for Air India was. No clue, no directions, no information kiosks at the airport, only flashy French advertisements. Since we had arrived from New York in terminal 2D, we went there dragging our luggage that became heavy after all the personal as well as chocolate shopping in Swiss. The guy in 2D sent us to 2E. The French guy in 2E said in French “not here”. Finally we spotted a lady behind an information desk and she had the sense to check the computer and tell us it was in 2C. The walk between each of the terminals was 15 minutes and we had already wasted 45 minutes. At that moment, I thought of the JFK and EWR airports where directions were crystal clear and even the dumbest idiot couldn’t get lost.
Rajesh was sure that we would miss our flight. The lady 'before' check-in took her own sweet time to check our passports and cabin baggage. She took each magnet out, then each chocolate out, examined the Swiss coffee and so on that we decided right then to check-in everything and travel free of hassle. At that moment, from all the running between terminals, my Murano
glass pendant fell down and broke into 2 pieces. I was too tired to ask why Rajesh took it and put in his pocket. At last, we proceeded to check-in and the lady at the counter coolly said that Air India was delayed by 2 hours and gave us coupons for free lunch. How typical!
Free of our luggage, we ate lunch and proceeded to security, where the glass pendant in Rajesh’s pocket got scrutinized so much that I lost my temper and screamed at the security officer to throw it in the garbage. We were finally at the Gate and went to shop at duty free. While I picked small bottles of Bordeaux wine for my friends, Rajesh went crazy. He bought finely-aged Bordeaux French wine, Mizabelle plum brandy, Sheridan coffee liquer and another liqeur called Jubiloeums Akvavit. I warned him if customs found out, we would pay duty as each person could bring only 1 liter into the US. Finally we were called to board Air India for another dingy experience, that I wasn’t looking forward to.
The aircraft that had originated from Hyderabad was filled with weary middle-aged Indians, probably parents. This time, the toilet
smell was mixed with the masala smell. The pillow provided to me had pickle spill on it, which I insisted be changed. Similar plastic smiles welcomed us, but there was one ‘cheerful aunty’ with a genuine smile and pleasant manners among them. The in-flight entertainment was one big screen in the middle for all to see. The TV was responsible for showing us how to exit in case of emergency; as well as a documentary on how to use, flush and keep the Air India toilets clean.
The uncle on my one side snored, another coughed up his phlegm, while the one next to Rajesh farted. The grandpa behind me kept blowing his nose loudly and the lady across me dug a finger deep into her nose. ‘Cheerful aunty’ served murukkus and peanuts for snack. I asked her for coke zero and she jovially admonished me that I must drink juice. I liked her and wished she got transferred to Jet airways or something! The TV began to play some documentary about Jaipur and the camels; the turbaned men, colorful village women and bare bodied kids in underwear. The headphones didn’t work, so I just watched the pictures move
on the screen.
‘Cheerful aunty’ handed out stained menus - fancy! There was a lamb entrée, a chicken entrée and a vegetarian entrée. Rajesh asked for lamb and me, chicken. ‘Cheerful aunty’ served all of us the vegetarian meal and said there was no lamb, but wait a minute, she would bring chicken. We wondered why they had to distribute the menu card? She then went inside to the pantry, broke open few chicken meals, brought the chicken pieces out and sprinkled a few on our food. Shortage of meat i guess! Disgusted, I left the food untouched, though Rajesh ate and said it was not bad. All I sipped on was luke warm coffee. I missed the aromatic cappuccinos of Europe. It was pure torture and the return journey took forever. I mentally decided to spend a couple of hundred dollars more and fly Air France the next time.
I wondered how our trip would have been if we had taken our kids. We couldn’t have walked as much as we did. And believe me; we walked our legs weary each day and absolutely loved it! Subways would have been a No-No and we would have to
take taxis and not have the fast mobility or the hop-on hop-offs and get branded as typical tourists. Meghna would want to stop to pee at an unimaginable place, while Niki would feel hungry at the oddest moment. They would have insisted on eating at Mac Donald’s all the time. Half the time, they wouldn’t have understood why we stood gaping at ruins and monuments and art that made no sense to them. A visit to the Louvre would have been impossible, as well as the freshening up in train station wash rooms. Niki might wander off and get lost in Campo de Fiori. Megna, while walking on Champs-Elysees might sit on a bench to rest and fail to follow us. The Euro rail sitzplatze experience would have tortured them. The Swiss hostel experience would have been a nightmare. But nevertheless, they would have loved the golden round trip. We had saved considerable time by taking night trains, ease of travel with light luggage and dumping our luggage in train station lockers, which would have been impossible with the kids. I shuddered at the series of thoughts that ran in my mind and thanked god for giving me this opportunity
to travel at an age when my energy level permitted me to partake in such adventures. Though I love my kids to the core, this is one trip I don't regret going without them!
The Statue of Liberty's raised torch welcomed us to the US. A couple of aunties approached me to fill up their immigration forms, which I gladly did. One uncle even asked me if I lived in the US, why did I board the aircraft in Paris? After a bumpy landing, we were among the first to get out of the aircraft. As we walked through the air bridge, there were sign boards that said “Customer service is our priority. Please contact the airport authority for assistance of any kind” and a 1-800 number was listed. I wanted to shout Hooray! This was America, always the best! And always customer oriented! We walked with pride to the immigration line that said “Citizens and Permanent Residents”, while the bulk of the passengers went to the “Other visitors” section. The immigration officer swiped our Green cards and said “Welcome home!” with a broad smile, his eyes twinkling and his mustache twitching. And just then, I smiled my first
smile of the day.
All of a sudden, I felt like Joey in ‘Friends’ who was homesick for NY while he was attending Ross’s wedding in London! I was home! I would sleep in my own bed, and my own soft sheets would comfort me tonight. How the human mind functions! What a reversal of feelings from the morning!
We hid the liquor in the already bulging pull-mans and railed through customs choosing a customs officer who wasn’t asking questions and he seemed happy to let us through. Probably he thought that after all we were a pair of dirty, smelly, tired looking Indians who had nothing to declare in their 2 equally dirty looking pull-mans. Weather in Paris, Austria and Switzerland was pleasant, while Italy was hot. But not as hot as New York, where it was 90 degrees and humid.
New York city’s majestic skyline hit me with the usual jolt. There can be only one New York city! Though its not as renaissance as Paris or has popes like Rome or monarchs like London; it is the King of all cities evoking and controlling so much modern world power. The cities in Europe were no doubt historical, architechtural and cultural, but none as powerful as New York City. Clinton and Obama were splashed on all European TV channels. Hollywood stars rocked in Europe! Even in the traditional cities, where people spoke french and italian, they took lessons to learn ‘Wall street’ English and kids listened to American pop, and rock and roll. Such was the American influence!
To the rest of the world America means cynicism, big business and bullying aggression. To me America meant freedom, fairness and nothing-is-impossible dynamism. I sadly realized that America has spoilt us, pampered us and in return we take her for granted, until we step on Foreign soil and face inconveniences, both minor and major. The song that Niki loves to sing proudly of America came to my mind.
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,and it's time to stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.
(God Bless the U.S.A. , By Lee Greenwood)
A friendly note:
Rajesh and I enjoy traveling and have gone on some great trips in the past years. But this vacation has been the crème de la crème of all. It was a journey filled with history, heritage and culture; fun included in the package. I absolutely had to write a travelogue about the memoirs of our trip as we experienced some classical adventures and enjoyed some magical moments. Also, I wanted each and every minute to be etched in my memory. Sharing my travelogue with friends is of course, a pleasure; hoping future vacationers would benefit and those who have already enjoyed some of the places would relate. I thank all my friends (known and unknown) for reading, as well as for the nice comments, both public and private!
Regards,
Gayathri
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