There is always a thrill in everyone when the destination is Goa. Yes, I too was thrilled. But no, there was no thrill in me as I had visited Goa to attend a conference in Feb 26 and to go to the same place, à la the same venue was not at all a thrill inside me honestly. To go, travel around 90 minutes from the airport to the venue, some discussions and the next day fully packed with discussions culminating in a dinner and to return in the morning next day, again 90 minutes travel to airport, 3 hours flight time and then the notorious traffic congestion in Delhi, you never know how long you will have to be in the cab till you reach your destination. So I was not at all thrilled but it’s a part of life, a way to earn your living and your beloved company takes care of everything.
The 12th of March 26, a Thursday when I take vegetarian for my meals was another dampening factor. Finally after an enjoyable breakfast with the company of my friends, a little bit of leg pulling, as Goa was the destination, the ride to the airport was smooth, less traffic and flight was on time.
Inside the flight as I got settled the request came, can you please shift to the window seat on the other side as my friends are seated next to you in the middle and window seat. Agreed, as they were young lads and were going to enjoy in Goa, I shifted to the window seat, leaving aside my comfort of seating in the aisle seat.
The meal, although vegetarian was delicious and I enjoyed. This time deliberately I didn’t bring a book and so I tried sleep. But the excitement of the lads seated parallel to me made it difficult. So let me watch a movie, I checked and found that luckily an earlier download was available. no country for old man, Tommy Lee Jones and I enjoyed it fully.
Finally at around 1:30 pm landed in Dabolim airport Goa and as we waited for our vehicle a message flashed in what’s app that the scheduled meeting had been cancelled, the message read as “Due to ongoing geopolitical situation, the meeting has been cancelled. Inconvenience is regretted.”
So what do you do now? Stay back and do sightseeing or go back. We decided to go back and asked our team to book our return ticket on the earliest available flight to Delhi. Flight IA 488 was booked with scheduled departure at 7:20 pm. So we had some time with us and as we left the airport to have lunch, smiling and enjoying the circumstances the driver joined and remarked that in his 20+ years of driving, he has never ever heard of something like this. Also he was astonished to see us so cool, cheerful instead of cursing or swearing. I said that this is the was you should live your life, Do you have any other better option? Smile and be happy or swear and curse and spoil your day. He said that he has learned a new lesson for life. Together we enjoyed our lunch, he was also asked to join us and then we planned to go for some ride. We went to Panaji, then to Miramar beach, no getting down at around 34 degrees. Since we had to spend time, we decided to go to old Goa visited the Bom Jesus. From there we had a walk towards the river and found a jetty where ferries were transferring people with bikes, scooters, cars, trucks etc. we sat there enjoying the serene surroundings and also enjoyed two young kids angling to catch crabs. Within 20/30 minutes both of them were able to catch 3 crabs, good size. As we enjoyed coconut water in a nearby roadside stall, a lady customer was kind enough to answer our query regarding the ferry service. We were surprised when she said that it was free for people and only cars etc are charged they too a mere 10 rupees.
As I sat on my seat, I was allotted 4E but as the passenger if 4D didn’t report or may have cancelled, I got to seat in an aisle seat which was not when I checked in for seat selection.
I called my travel agent to enquire about the vehicle details at Delhi airport, but to my utter surprise he informed that it will not be possible for them to arrange a vehicle even they agreed so when they were informed at 2 pm. Another surprise, but luckily a car was arranged by my efficient and ready to help office colleague.
As the pilot announced that we are landing shortly and after few minutes the washroom will not available for us, I stood up but just got there and the passenger from seat 1A rushed in. The wait was made more longer as the pilots wanted to use. And then you stand, hold back and there is the long long wait to release.
Have anyone had such an eventful day?
More frustrating situations to call it a bad day.
What’s the outcome of this eventful day?
I would say that at the end of the day god was kind enough to make way for me to seat in an aisle seat. God had plans for me in advance, tested me, my patience and finally gave me a surprise. At the end of the day, I am so grateful. I feel different, blessed as I was able to control my short temper, not get angry with the awkward situation, make my day miserable. However, with blessing and self control, I converted the disadvantage to my advantage, enjoyed a nice walk, became nostalgic seeing those kids angling and felt happy.
“Chance depends on circumstances. Choice depends on your attitude” someone had said.
So, my inner voice says that whatever the situation is, we must act in such a way to make it favourable, enjoyable and at the end of the day God is there with surprises, positive and enjoyable.
I am grateful, I am blessed and pray for everyone to be happy and live in peace.
9:32 pm, penned onboard AI 488.
wish you all the best