Life in the fast lane...

Every trip to the airport reveals something interesting and amusing. So did my last trip last night. Normally the speed at which the vehicles fly past clearly indicates whether the passengers are taking off or going in to pick up someone. Those intending to pick up someone from the domestic side, and are known move not faster than the third gear! Then they have to stop a couple of times to clear the front glass. If there is no patrol van or officer, they stay put along the road side - only to move/drag on and halt a little ahead. But once their mobile phone rings, zoom they fly. Those on the other hand who have someone to board the flight, they just fly past - at times even over the speed breakers. Earlier there were a vast majority who would come to just see the airport! One could see large groups of families just flopping on to the pavement of the ramp to have their meal!!! It was just another picnic spot.

Then there is the whole kilometre long runway, even for vehicles going up the ramp to pick up someone! (The drive into the airport itself is 7 kms!) And to get on the ramp you have to pay - additional if you park. Most of the drivers, like me, do as much as possible to evade the parking fee - even if it means parking the vehicle along the highway outside the airport for hours at end.

One night at the airport

Brought home Govindu from the airport just now! Since he is suffering from jetlag, I'm made to stay awake!! Anyway, I'm sure he's going to be snoring away the whole of tomorrow. Was interesting to go to the airport and see the progress made over the few months. Better still was the chance to watch people come in and be received by their families with varying emotions. Aged parents unable to control their emotions, colleagues creating such a rucus as though they just found and killed a cobra, kids not knowing when the bags will open up to spill their hidden treasures and young spouses longing for each others embrace and companionship. Then there were also those who came looking for big flash signs of the 'Saudi flight' ... poor, simple people coming in to receive 'God-knows-who'. Thinking that all is like their village railway station waiting for the announcement to take place. However, far we go or whatever we do, whenever there is a foreigner - I mean, a European, white-skinned - everyone's eyes will follow him or her till he or she is out of sight! So much for our obsession with fair skin! Then there are those passengers who walk out of the lounge as though they've just returned from conquering the world looking around for someone to shed their baggage upon. And a most common sight at all arrival terminals, the long queue of cab drivers with their placards... all in various modes and shapes. Their hearts waiting, silently praying for a generous customer who'd tip them well.