Moonlght Flit from Kerala
The drive to the airport was relatively quiet and there were a few people about however all the cars on the road seemed to have big posters in the widows showing the reason for being out and the drivers were visibly nervous. Our car's had 'Airport Urgent' in big letters posted on the front and back windows. as my flight was not till 1pm and it was now 6am we found a spot outside the Airport entrance to settle down and try and get a few hours rest in. The Airport is covered by a no strike rule and was surrounded by police and security. The other problem with small Indian Airports is that they don't let you enter the airport building unless your flight shows on the board and that only happens when check-in is open. So I had to wait until 11:30 until I could go into the airport – even just to get a drink.
Finally I got in the Check-in queue which took for ages with lots of people pushing in at the desk. The big problem was that the flight had been over booked and they were trying to bump people. There was no way I was going to bumped, a; I had my Singapore flight the next day and b; I didn't want to waste the 100gbp plus I'd pre-paid for the 5* Leela Hotel I'd booked for the overnight in Mumbai. In the ensuing melee the Check-in guy through booked me to Singapore meaning I probably wouldn't have seen my rucksack again. This the took ages to uncheck me in and deal with everyone else the recover my bag and re- tag it to Mumbai. He then shoved all my documents back in my had and told me to 'move quickly to security' so off I set and went through the security check sat down in the lounge and started to sort all my bits and pieces back into their rightful place only to discover; no passport, aaarggg... that knot tightens in your stomach and your life passes before you. One of the Police/Security guards came over seeing me frantically emptying every pocket bag and zip I had. He quietly told me to put every thing back in my bag and follow him. So I did thinking things could not get any worse. He took me back to the bag scanners where the Man from the Check-in gave me my passport and before I could get a word in groveled and apologized for keeping my passport on his desk and not giving it back to me. Phew!!!
Watching the TV in the Departure lounge showing rolling local news of deserted streets and the odd burnt out or bricked bus that had dared to try and provide a service. (Reading the local paper the next day quotes were made of over 2000 arrested across the state!) The flight back to Bombay was fine, however on arrival at the domestic terminal, following instruction already given to me I took the Inter-terminal bus to the International Terminal to get the Hotel courtesy bus to the Leela. At the International terminal no bus and no Leela staff. So I got the number of the hotel from a tourist desk and rang them only to find that my car was waiting at the Domestic terminal but I hadn't seen the driver as the bus leaves from a different exit. After finally getting to the Leela I settled in a went down to get a the biggest buffet meal I've had in 2 months and it was damn good.
Finally I got in the Check-in queue which took for ages with lots of people pushing in at the desk. The big problem was that the flight had been over booked and they were trying to bump people. There was no way I was going to bumped, a; I had my Singapore flight the next day and b; I didn't want to waste the 100gbp plus I'd pre-paid for the 5* Leela Hotel I'd booked for the overnight in Mumbai. In the ensuing melee the Check-in guy through booked me to Singapore meaning I probably wouldn't have seen my rucksack again. This the took ages to uncheck me in and deal with everyone else the recover my bag and re- tag it to Mumbai. He then shoved all my documents back in my had and told me to 'move quickly to security' so off I set and went through the security check sat down in the lounge and started to sort all my bits and pieces back into their rightful place only to discover; no passport, aaarggg... that knot tightens in your stomach and your life passes before you. One of the Police/Security guards came over seeing me frantically emptying every pocket bag and zip I had. He quietly told me to put every thing back in my bag and follow him. So I did thinking things could not get any worse. He took me back to the bag scanners where the Man from the Check-in gave me my passport and before I could get a word in groveled and apologized for keeping my passport on his desk and not giving it back to me. Phew!!!
Watching the TV in the Departure lounge showing rolling local news of deserted streets and the odd burnt out or bricked bus that had dared to try and provide a service. (Reading the local paper the next day quotes were made of over 2000 arrested across the state!) The flight back to Bombay was fine, however on arrival at the domestic terminal, following instruction already given to me I took the Inter-terminal bus to the International Terminal to get the Hotel courtesy bus to the Leela. At the International terminal no bus and no Leela staff. So I got the number of the hotel from a tourist desk and rang them only to find that my car was waiting at the Domestic terminal but I hadn't seen the driver as the bus leaves from a different exit. After finally getting to the Leela I settled in a went down to get a the biggest buffet meal I've had in 2 months and it was damn good.
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