A day has passed since I returned to the UK. After a horridly delayed flight, I was almost completely drained out when I rang the calling bell. 30 hours. That is what it took me to reach my door in Reading. Arnab opened the door with the same old innocent smile. He had returned 9 days before me and seemed to have fixed himself into place. As far as I was concerned, things were still in IST. Jet lag is usual. One deep sleep is all it takes to get back.
Questions at the immigration is usually the most interesting part of an Indian's trip to the EU. I do understand why but they pose as if they don't trust anybody. As if everybody coming in about to rob them of their 10 quids in a bet. They shoot questions as if out of personal interest and actually pretend if they are asking a very genuine question. "So where is University of Reading", the guy at the immigration asked me. "At Reading", I replied. "Reading is not in London,right?",he asked again. "Could have saved on 15 pounds and one hour had it been in London", I responded. Just to let him know that I knew how much a RailAir bus ticket from London to Reading costed. "Alright, here is your passport and good luck.Cheers!", he said with a smile which said he was convinced.
As I entered my room, I gave a sigh. Not of relief completely, but a mixture of home-sickness and realization of the challenges lying ahead of me. It is my convocation on the 4th of July. Have worked really hard for one year for the scroll they hand over on that day. Big day. And if asked to summarize the experience over the past one and a half years, two words would be ample enough - "Life changing".
I dropped my bag onto my bed making sure my lap inside would turn on when I switch it on. I'm pretty sure my bag would have shouted "Thank you so much. Now for heaven sake go take a shower!!!" if it had a mouth. And I knew there wasn't much I could have responded with. ;). The Bhagavat Gita I carry along with me was the first thing I took out from my bag. There are few things that are constantly on the move with me. Mostly gifts from friends and relatives. The most recent addition to this collection is a novel. "COMA" by Robin Cook. The person who gifted me the book had written their name on the first page. Every time I miss this person, all I do is open this book and read the name. It somehow brings a smile on my face. Let me tell you...THERE IS MAGIC IN THIS WORLD!!!
A shower and a cup of coffee is all I wanted to end the day. The caffiene doesn't have much influence on my sleeping habits. It has been that ways since school days. Soon I plunged myself into the comforts of my bed. The next lap was about to commence.
Questions at the immigration is usually the most interesting part of an Indian's trip to the EU. I do understand why but they pose as if they don't trust anybody. As if everybody coming in about to rob them of their 10 quids in a bet. They shoot questions as if out of personal interest and actually pretend if they are asking a very genuine question. "So where is University of Reading", the guy at the immigration asked me. "At Reading", I replied. "Reading is not in London,right?",he asked again. "Could have saved on 15 pounds and one hour had it been in London", I responded. Just to let him know that I knew how much a RailAir bus ticket from London to Reading costed. "Alright, here is your passport and good luck.Cheers!", he said with a smile which said he was convinced.
As I entered my room, I gave a sigh. Not of relief completely, but a mixture of home-sickness and realization of the challenges lying ahead of me. It is my convocation on the 4th of July. Have worked really hard for one year for the scroll they hand over on that day. Big day. And if asked to summarize the experience over the past one and a half years, two words would be ample enough - "Life changing".
I dropped my bag onto my bed making sure my lap inside would turn on when I switch it on. I'm pretty sure my bag would have shouted "Thank you so much. Now for heaven sake go take a shower!!!" if it had a mouth. And I knew there wasn't much I could have responded with. ;). The Bhagavat Gita I carry along with me was the first thing I took out from my bag. There are few things that are constantly on the move with me. Mostly gifts from friends and relatives. The most recent addition to this collection is a novel. "COMA" by Robin Cook. The person who gifted me the book had written their name on the first page. Every time I miss this person, all I do is open this book and read the name. It somehow brings a smile on my face. Let me tell you...THERE IS MAGIC IN THIS WORLD!!!
A shower and a cup of coffee is all I wanted to end the day. The caffiene doesn't have much influence on my sleeping habits. It has been that ways since school days. Soon I plunged myself into the comforts of my bed. The next lap was about to commence.
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HI Bruv Shalin, thanks for giving us your experience of travelling and hussles you encountered during your return back to UK. I can see this was just like a storm in a cup of tea, WHY? This is because I have been in the same situation before and one of the officers followed me after being cleared from the passport control desks. I wondered why. He was of asian origin and just pulled me from the rest of travellers. He asked what do you have in your bag? I answered Why? He then straight said "open the bag for me please." I did as I was told. He started to flip my clothes and gift from home and asked who are you sending these to? I said they are mine. After finding nothing to convict me, he said you can go mate thank you. I was really upset but had nothing to say.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice experience because I have heard some of myfriends being returned back from where they are coming from for just failing to declare what they have in their bags.
See you next time Shalin.