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My First International Journey |
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Reached Kuwait by 11:30 AM (IST). Kuwait Airport is a small airport. It's not at all crowded. I'd just roam around and had food. Food there looks very nice but we can't eat it. It's basically preserved food. Everything is salty there. Anyway, just had an experience!! |
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Our flight to London was rescheduled and finally, left Kuwait airport at 5:00 PM (IST). I just spent six extra hours at the deserted place. Weather was ok. I could see Mumbai's lighting and Kuwait's dawn! I could have a good view of Kuwait city from inside the flight. |
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Kuwait as a city is very neatly planned. There is a high tower exactly in the middle of the city. The city looks amazing from the flight. That's the only view I could have, as I wasn't allowed not go out of the airport! Food served inside the flight was just too good! Would you have been in my place, you would have not stopped eating!! I tasted nearly all juices and snacks. That was fun! The worst part in the flight was the seat. I prey flights should have Berths!! |
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Finally I landed in London by 2:00 AM (5th Jan) (IST). It was around 9:00 PM here. After the airport formalities, I came out and the Cab driver was waiting for me with my name on the board. I talked to him and he responded in a very friendly way. I thought like we knew each other since ages. He carried my bag to the cab. Then came the funniest part of it. After driving around 2/3 Kms, he asked me "Where do u want to go? " I was shocked!! I was not at all prepared for this question then. Thank god I had my Address with me. I told him the address. Now again for my surprise he did not know the address. Then I got the map, told him the way and managed to reach to the hotel. |
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But difficulties were still not over. Booking was not done for me. I was totally pissed off!! But this time it was not a big problem. As soon as i told the manager "Rave ", he gave me a room. Oh god!! I was tired like anything (had a longest day of 19 Hrs!!) I was hungry too. I ate whatever i had in my handbag and went to sleep. I slept the moment i closed my eyes. Then suddenly I remembered Mama's instruction, ( "CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU REACH THERE ").. It was a strict instruction by mama. So, I had to inform him. I did not know how to call abroad from the hotel. So, I called my colleague. He then called Mamaji on my behalf. That was the end of the day!! |
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Next day I had to go to work!! So got up at 6:30 in the morning. Opened the big bag and arranged things in the room. There was hardly any room left after I opened my big bag. Somehow I managed and went to bath. Took a bath and I wanted to iron my clothes. So tried to lift the iron table. The table was so badly (loosely.) screwed that it came out of its fitting bolts.. The big heavy table was loose in my hands. I got completely pissed off now! Somehow managed my temper and screwed it back. Oh gosh..!! It was a terrific fight for 20 Mins.. I had to apply all my mechanical skills to fix it back. Then I learnt that as everything is wooden out there, the fittings in the walls are not that tough as we have in our dear India. Anyway, fiddling all the way, I somehow managed to get the shirt ironed. |
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Then it was time for breakfast. I went to the cafe in the basement and was waiting the lady to serve me. I was playing on the table for around 10 mins. Then she looked at me and said, "PLEASE HELP YOURSLF!!" Oh no!!! It was really tough time. After making me wait for 10mins, she said this. Ok, I had to help myself finally! (PAPI PET KA SAWAL THA!). Had a first taste of British Breakfast and hospitality too! Well the food was good and it helped me cool my temper.. Then within 10 mins my colleague came to the hotel to guide me the way to the office. Started work just another hour I reached there. The things were nicely organized and there was no waste of time. I finished my first task the same day. Went back to the hotel. I requested the admin person to shift me to the flat where my colleagues were staying. So the same day night I shifted to the flat. Life is now cool. Everything is set right. This weekend I had been to Oxford Street (the biggest Market Area) and the Covent Garden. |
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That's all for now; more in the next mail. |
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Till then, Jay hind! |
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Rahul |
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(Jan 10th, 2001/London) |
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Rahul Naodhar Home |
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Travel Home |
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