Daily writing prompt

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

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Hello, dear friends!

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt is quite adventurous: “You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?“

This reminded me of my very first overseas trip, an experience I cherish even today.

I am sharing my travel memoir, “My First Trip Abroad.” Since it’s long and detailed, I will present it in parts for your enjoyment.

Your unwavering support and appreciation for my blogs mean the world to me, and I sincerely thank you all for it. Sometimes, when we reflect on moments from our past, certain experiences stand out—ones we wish to share with friends.

Today, I am sharing one such memorable journey.

The Decision to Travel

Six years ago, I was about to retire from my banking career. It was time for me to avail of my final Leave Fare Concession (LFC) from the bank—a golden opportunity to travel either within India or abroad at the bank’s expense.

My children were eager for an international trip, but I was hesitant. The reason? I have never been fond of flying.

Short flights between Delhi and Mumbai were manageable, but the thought of spending six or more hours on a plane terrified me. I kept trying to avoid the trip, but my children were persistent.

Finally, I had to give in to their enthusiasm. To calm my nerves, I reasoned with myself: “If so many people fly daily without fear, why should I be the only one scared?”

Summoning my courage, I submitted my LFC request, which was approved without delay.

Our travel itinerary was set for 14 days, covering Malaysia and Singapore along with domestic visits to Mumbai and Bhuj (Gujarat).

My family, especially my younger son, was thrilled. We quickly began our preparations. Since it was the month of June, we packed light, avoiding unnecessary baggage.

An Ominous Start

The excitement was high as we left for Kolkata Airport in a friend’s car. However, just two kilometers into our journey, an unexpected incident occurred—a cat crossed our path!

Our driver instinctively hit the brakes hard. Though the car stopped safely, my heartbeat raced. I had already been apprehensive about the trip, and this superstitious omen made me even more uneasy.

I tried to convince my family to switch to a domestic destination, but they were adamant: “We can travel within India anytime, but an international trip is a unique experience—especially when it’s covered by the bank!”

With a nervous heart, I stepped into Kolkata Airport. We bid farewell to the driver, completed our check-in formalities, and entered through Gate No. 4. It was 7:00 PM, but our flight was scheduled for 11:00 PM on June 25, 2017.

A Turbulent Journey

As we waited at the airport, I kept replaying the cat incident in my mind. My family chatted excitedly, while I silently prayed for a smooth journey. At 10:00 PM, the flight announcement was made, and we proceeded through security checks before boarding.

While other passengers settled comfortably into their seats, I found myself unable to relax. My fears heightened when, midway through the flight, turbulence hit. The plane shook violently, and my heart pounded in terror.

A flight attendant’s announcement reassured passengers: “Please fasten your seatbelts. We are experiencing rough weather.”

I peeked outside the window, but all I could see was pitch darkness. It was past midnight, and our plane was navigating through stormy clouds. I held onto my seat tightly, continuously whispering prayers. Thankfully, after a while, the turbulence subsided.

After nearly seven hours in the air, we finally landed safely in Singapore. As per my watch, it was 4:30 AM, but in Singapore’s time zone, it was already 7:00 AM. The sun had already begun to rise, painting the sky with a golden glow.

The Arrival Mix-Up

Exhausted yet excited, we stepped into the waiting lounge, expecting our tour vehicle to pick us up.

According to our itinerary, a driver would escort us to our hotel. However, as minutes passed, no one arrived. After 30 minutes, worry began to creep in.

We attempted to call our tour operator but soon realized that our mobile network lacked international calling services. Left with no choice, we sent a message and waited anxiously for a response.

Finally, a reply came: “Your driver has been searching for you for over an hour!”

Perplexed, I looked around when a man approached me and asked, “Are you Vijay Verma?”

I nodded, relieved. Then, I noticed another man standing nearby, whom I had seen earlier repeatedly asking for a Rajesh Kumar. Confused, I asked the driver about the mix-up. He chuckled and said, “Let me explain on the way.”

As we boarded the mini-bus, I learned that my fellow traveler, Rajesh Kumar, was from Ranchi.

Due to his delayed flight, the tour company had mistakenly given his name to the driver assigned to us. This led to the confusion and delay.

With the mystery solved, I finally relaxed. Our adventure had just begun, and little did I know that this trip would be one of the most memorable experiences of my life. (To be continued…)

BE HAPPY….BE ACTIVE….BE FOCUSED….BE ALIVE…

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Categories: Tour & Travel

Tags: dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1880, featured