2 august, 2006
The flight landed on time, and lots of thoughts were going through my mind as I waited for my baggage - I was now out of the comfort zone of my college campus and entering into the big bad world to build a career. As I waited for my last suitcase to arrive, I suddenly realised that I was the only one waiting for baggage now, and there was a suitcase going around on the conveyor belt that looked a bit like mine, but was more "green" than my "brown" suitcase. It then struck me that someone has probably taken my suitcase and left his/her behind. I spoke to the Sahara staff, they agreed. They tried to contact the passenger of the other suitcase, but it was booked through a travel agent who didn't have the passenger's contact number!
I wasn't agitated. It wasn't the staff's fault. The other passenger was an old lady who probably found it too hard to read up the tag on the luggage, and took off with what she thought was hers. While the airline staff tried to contact her, I sat down and entertained myself by strumming the guitar I was carrying along. It was many rounds of Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd and whatever little Hotel California I could play before the other passenger came back with my baggage and we un-swapped. I told everyone later I am starting a new life with a not-so-great stroke of luck!
1 February, 2009
I arrive the Delhi airport, still trying to get over the fact that I've left a good life behind in Hyderabad to start afresh. As I wait for my last piece of luggage, I realise I'm all alone waiting for the very same suitcase, and a similar looking suitcase is going around on the conveyor belt, unclaimed. Déjà vu! The coincidence doesn't end there. The passengers who took off with my suitcase had booked via a travel agent, and again the airline staff (this time Spicejet) had a very tough time contacting them. I waited a whole two hours with my family at the airport before I gave up, filled out the baggage claim form and returned home, hoping they'll get it back and return to me soon. (They did get it back, and hopefully will deliver it to me by today).
My younger bro tells me it is a signal that I'm not welcome (he has his reasons). Maybe its some force telling me that I'm going to have a good life, but I'm not going to stick around for too long. I don't know if I believe in all that, but I have told myself I'm not carrying that suitcase on a flight ever. :)
P.S. The title is inspired by the movie Slumdog Millionaire - you'll know if you have seen it. Watch it if you haven't.
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