The Changi Times – II

The wallet was missing…! Oh god! This is not what I want at this moment. My flight is in 2 hours time. So I rushed to the seats, where I’d been lazing around for quite sometime. Nope, nothing there. Then I rushed to the joint where I had Chinese and asked the folks working there. No clue here either, but one of them suggested that I complain at the Airport Support booth. I got my way down to the support and sat there at their table.

A decent looking lady with a cute chinkie smile looked at my terrified face and asked me “May I help you?”. Thoughts kept running in my mind, but I had to behave myself :)) I told her that I lost my wallet and that I realized about it sometime back. She kept smiling, and then asked me the whereabouts and the usual yada-yada. I kept answering her obediently and she noted down all my answers. She said that they did find some wallet and the description did match the one I gave. Daamm, I was so relieved now, she asked me to wait there for 10 minutes while she went to fetch the wallet.

After about 10-12 minutes, she arrived with a plastic Ziploc and there was my wallet!!! She asked me another set of questions before she could handed it over to me. Then she made me fill a form and then left me greeting with her smile again. Though she did not let me know who reported the wallet to her, but I guess I left the wallet when I bought the bottle of water. I was soooooo relieved; I rushed back to the cafeteria and ordered 3 coffees. Then, I rushed back to the support desk, and gave the 2 ladies the coffee. They were so glad and they thanked me back. Now all I had got to do is somehow pass off the remaining time in peace.

2-3 more rounds at the terminal and I would have killed the remaining time. This time every 10 mins I had to feel me pocket to make sure the wallet is still there. I spotted a liquor shop, and my eyes climaxed over the Johnnie Walker, which I really wanted to buy, but was reluctant since I was not sure if my already full-to-capacity cabin luggage and the bottle would be allowed? Somehow, I managed to kill the remaining time, by re-entering the perfume shop again and again (by now I must have made it to the Most Wanted list of the lady working in there) and some electronics shops. At around quarter to 6, I went to queue up for the check-in. I was so relieved now, the longest wait was finally over and in a few hours I would be back to INDIA!!! Well the good thing is, after this point there was absolutely no problems till the end of my journey!

The Changi Times - I

After some 'n' meals, 'n+2' desserts, several glasses of Orange juice and wine, the long and lonely flight from San Francisco was finally over. It was like ages before the plane touched on some land. All the way it was just Pacific... pacific and more of it.

It's 12:30 AM now. Got my way out to the airport soon, since I was all set to sleep for another 10 - 12 hours. I went straight to the way that led to the lounge where I longed to spread my already relaxed body. So as luck always sits on the back of me, (did I mention the bad one :@) I found that the lounge was full. Luckily, I remembered that there was a "Relaxing settees that vibrate" room somewhere around. Dragging my cabin luggage, I swooshed towards the room. Again, the 'L' factor on me back. I had to look around for a place to sit first! Found one seat near a 'now shutting' cafeteria. Tried to shut my eyes, but I guess the relaxing seats didn't comfort my tooshie.

What's worse, it's just 30 minutes of the 16 hours halt that had passed. Dammit, what about the other remaining hours? I roamed around a bit, looking at some of the cafeterias and other fast food joints. By now I had developed an appetite of a Gargantua! I could eat anything at any time of the day. I decided to settle on a meal at Burger King. Went and had a meal, trying my best to kill the time. Was having one bite and then counting 30 till I could eat another. Worked for the first few bites and then gulped down the rest. Now what? This makes an hour? I could see some kids playing around some games at the console kiosks. So went to the XBOX console and tried my luck there, not to win but be lucky enough to spend some minutes there. Nope! didn't work... now what! Walked to the nearest PC to check mails. Chatted with a pal of mine with my webcam on, who by now had already told the entire office that I dont fit in one frame anymore! The one instance where I cursed high-speed internet connection, that got my work done in 15 minutes.

After some 30 minutes, made a second attempt to hit the sack. Walked up to "The room" which was still full. By now I had decided I would not sleep that night. Went to some place where some people were snoring to glory. And yes they were all apne Indians! Some of them snoring, some watching Star Sports on big screens and others, quieting their kids with their squeaky voices.... eeeks! So I had an option of 1) Watching Star Sports, CNN or CNBC 2) coil up and sleep like a snail on the chair or 3) think of the options of the next grub in sometime. I did neither, and walked off after sitting there for a while.

Now what??? My sight just slipped on a board that pointed to a theatre? Wow... that would be fun! Walked up there and sat there in a 'more or less relaxing' seat. This was like 4ish and my eyes were drooping now. The movie was fart and I had to walk off! NOW WHAT??? Walked to the main terminal and sat there on a chair and tried to sleep. Ok this worked and now its morning Yippee!!!... lesser hours to go!

Went to BK's again for a juicy breakfast. By this time, the female at the counter had already started giving me that "Noodle smile" of her's. Reminded of the "Allloo Welcome... come inside... what will you have today! We have chicken, prawns and pork today!" all this in a mere breath! in the funniest tone I used to enjoy hearing and laugh on, at the Chinese Deli's :)) Had a heavenly meal again.

The next couple of hours spend strolling around from one terminal to the other, making use of all the free facilities provided, checking and re-checking the prices of electronics and perfumes in every store that shelved them. By now it was lunch-time and went to some Chinese joint to have another round of meal. Finished the quick lunch and walked to the nearest store for a bottle of water. Paid the money and left the shop. Had to spend a few more hours here before I could fly back. Now the only source of time-killer was watching those "not so interesting" channels I mentioned earlier. Sat there for 2 hours, warming the seat and killing time. By then it was time for a coffee break.

It was 4, walked slowly dragging my bag to the cafeteria. Stood there staring at the long list of coffee's they offered and the oven fresh muffins. I ordered a Cappuccino and a Danish muffin. Reaching my back-pockets to settle the bill, I realized something was really not what I wanted after hours of stay at Changi.... I rushed away from the cafeteria... yes you guessed it... the wallet was missing!!!

To be continued.....

The Trip-planner!

Its 7:10AM, the two of us rush into the green Camry that Sammy had hired for the weekend. It was going to be a long trip of almost 400+ miles from San Jose. Strapping our seat belts we sped off towards Gish where the other 2 c’munks were waiting for us. After filling in the gas and pumping some air into the rubber, we sped off taking on I-680. Sammy was at the wheel and I played the navigator, staring right into the numerous print outs we took with directions to the places we were gonna visit. Our first spot was to visit a national park by the name Lassen Volcanic National Park, which was around 250 odd miles from the start. After a short halt at Wendy’s for some light breakfast we sped off towards Lassen.

So we reached Lassen Park in the early noon, had a small session of 'dot release' and drove deeper within the park. On our was we saw some spectacular Sulphur deposits on the rocks, hot sulphuric gases that smelled worse that having to smell the outcome of Daal and Radish together. But well it seemed everyone around enjoyed it! Ok, let’s not divert from the topic or rather the purpose of putting this blog. The funny part about the 4 of us was that we had to oppose the other’s statements, come what may. Let’s have a glimpse into one of the conversations...

Some whacko English songs goin’ on. The Camry speeds on the long stretchy highway obeying the speed limits. Sash is really pissed with the number of wooooooooooooooooooooow’s he’s been hearing from Ruzy since morning for every song being played on the radio. While Pamo is sitting quietly in the back seat trying not to fall into any arguments.

Ruzy: Woooooooooooooooooooooooow!!! Look at those clouds behind the hills.

Sash: Boss, keep aside your wow-wow; first tell me where are we heading? What have you guys planned in the last 3 days?

Ruzy: We go to Klamath Falls and rest there for the day. Tomorrow we head to Crater Lake and then afternoon time we will go to Hellgate. And on Monday when we returning we drive via Napa, simple!

Sash: That’s the plan huh? That’s what you’ve been doing for the last 3 days?

Sammy: Guys! Guys!! Listen to me. Let’s go directly to Crater Lake city and then check-in there and leave for Crater Lake today itself.

Ruzy: (thinking) Huh? Crater Lake city. Which world is this in?

Ruzy: Why are we doing Crater Lake today itself. Let’s do it tomorrow, early morning instead and go to Klamath Lake today? We have 2 full days to spend yaar.

Sash: Boss, what do you want to do in Klamath Lake?

Pamo: Arre Klamath Lake is a big lake and there is nothing there!

Ruzy: There are lot of water sport activities there yaar! Let’s go there.

Sash: Arre then what’s the point in going to Klamath Falls? Why don’t we go to Crater Lake then.

Ruzy: Dude! I think there is confusion. Klamath Falls is not really falls, it’s a city! We are supposed to check-in there.

Sammy: Dude! I’ve been there yaar! TRUST ME! I’ll take you guys there by 5.

Sash: Arre boss! We don’t have a map till Crater Lake then how will we goto Crater Lake directly.

Sammy: Chill man! I know the roads. First I will take you to Crater Lake city. I know man the place! It has a downtown also man. I have stayed there last time we went there.

Ruzy: Dude, either google is wrong or you just created a city last time you went there. I’m sure there is nothing like a Crater Lake city.

Sammy: Dude! I’ve stayed there last time and I know what I’m saying. TRUST ME!

Sash: Yaar! You guys are nuts man. And you, wooooooow woooooooow what plan have you made?

Ruzy: Look, it was as simple. We stay tonight at Klamath Falls and then go to Crater tomorrow. Anyways it’s pretty late not to go to Klamath Lake.

Sammy: Dude, we will not go to Klamath Falls. Let’s not go to Econo Lodge of Klamath Falls, instead we can go to Econo Lodge of Crater Lake city.

Ruzy: Ok, let’s confirm this on the phone. I’ll call and you speak to the manager to give us the number of the “Crater Lake city” Econo Lodge.

After a thankfully short phone conversation, and without making the manager realize what a dhafol he is (ye, he was a gujju) to not have known where Crater Lake city is, it was confirmed that the Econo Lodge at Klamath Falls and the virtual Crater Lake city were the same.

Its close to 5:30 in the evening, the Camry still speeds on the limit, the 4some heading towards some city, finally see a board that reads “Welcome to Oregon state!” But no-one dares to speak where they gonna halt...

Lost in Pornunciation

A few years back my cousin Zoop was here from the US. He wore the typical firang accent. Even the little of what he calls Gujrati, that he spoke with a few of us at home, had a hint of it. Though we would manage to interpret it somehow.

One fine day, we were out at Emgee Road buying some Indian Remix music CDs for his sis and cousins out there. We took a short break opposite a Video parlour. His eyes caught the displayed posters adorning the shop's glass doors. They were displaying the latest Hollywood blockbusters and also some which were yet to be released there. Getting a bit curious, he walked into the shop and got out after some 10 odd minutes, while I was standing out staring at the new DVD's that had launched recently and got tempted to buy one, even though I had'nt got any player. This was very natural to me, the fact being I had collected around 30 odd PC magazine CD-ROMs before I could even think of buying a PC.

When he got out he asked me in the same accent, "Ruzan, you have any idea where i can buy some paarrrn?"

I replied with a "Whaaaaat?"

"Paarn, Paaarn?"

"Why would you want it? Don't you get it out there?"

"Actually, I know a shop just opposite your place where you get it?"

"Huh? I'm staying there for the past few years and I am unaware of it!" thinking how the hell did he find a porn selling library and that too around my place. "Then we will pick it up from there only, but did you buy any?" feeling a little strange asking this to my cousin.

"Yeah! I bought some yesterday! It was sweet and different from that other guy around"

"What? There's another one too! Damm I really need to get out and look around my place!" were my immediate thoughts. "So", enquired I, "did you like the ones you bought yesterday? I mean I don't believe you bought them"

"What are you saying? I love eating it. But I just dont like when they put that green paste and the.... what do you call that?"

"Eating it??? and the Green paste, huh?" thinking what the hell does he mean by green paste now. Must be some US term for... god knows what?!?

"... ye and super-ee"

"What? You are talking of Paan? Oh ok ok yeah! I know a few places here too. Let's walk it up"

Phew...! bach gayaa :)