The plane took off at the scheduled time. I and Madhuram were seated in the middle part of the plane, while Kumaresh and Anisha were by the window side. It was dark outside and hence I did not have regrets about my seat being in the middle. The seats, I felt, were somewhat cramped for an international flight lasting 12 hours and more. there was a small TV screen in front of every seat with a remote for choosing from the available channels. surprisingly, one channel was showing the latest Indian film, slumdog millionaire, which won four Oscar awards. This showed the life in a Bombay slum blatantly. The story revolved round a slum boy winning a contest of question-answers on general knowledge, to earn a million rupees. All the answers proved to be correct, even though he had not put any effort to get them. The answers were the consequence of his experiences in his life in the slum.
In about half an hour, we were served food consisting of a piece of masala dosa, sambhar, dahiwada, fruits and a sweet with tea or coffee. Then the lights went out allowing us to doze off with whatever comfort that was provided. We were woken up again after about three hours by my wrist watch. It was getting dawn outside. We were served some breakfast. At about 7 a.m.. local time, the plane landed in Amsterdam airport. A wheelchair was waiting for Madhuram in the exit of the plane. This helped us to go straight to the gate from where we had to take the next flight to Detroit. There was a connecting flight at 8.20 a.m., but Kumaresh had booked our seats by the 10.30 a.m. flight so that we could relax a bit.
We roamed around the airport for sometime, purchased a souvenir (a pair of glass shoes which could be stuck on the refrigerator door with the help of magnet fixed at its base). The currency was Euros. I felt the absence of a camera. The view was so breathtaking. We spotted one or two crows hopping around the area. They looked fattier and bigger than those in our country.
We boarde the other aircraft at 10 a.m in order to cross the great Atlantic ocean. I was happy to get window seat now, as it was going to be daytime flight. We were flying over the clouds. We were served lunch soon after the take off. The items were tasty but strange. Now and then, they were serving coffee, tea and cold drinks. Here too, one channel on the TV was the same slumdog millionaire. The view was not interesting. Only floating clouds. Occasionally, I could see land and water. In order to avoid the scorching sun, we were advised to close the windows. Then, we had nothing to do except doze. At one point, I opened the window. I could see the vast expansa of the great ocean. Then, I saw what looked like water-bodies. Kumaresh said thay could be the great lakes, namely the Superior, the Michigan and the Huron.
At 2.15 p.m. local time, we landed in Detroit International airport. The time at Mumbai was 11.30 p.m. Here too, Madhuram was taken in a wheelchair and that helped us clear the immigration formalities a bit fast. No embarassing questions wer asked and the customs passed us with no queries. As soon as we got out, Kumaresh sent out a message to Anand through his mobile about our safe arrival. Anand must have been disturbed from his sleep.
As had been arranged, two cars were readily waiting to pick us and our luggage. It was very cold and the wind made it worse. Added to this, there it was drizzling. All of us were accommodated in one car and our luggage in the other. for the first time, I saw that the vehicles driving on the right (I mean, the opposite of left) side of the road and were 'left hand drive'. Both Kumaresh and the cab driver were conversing. Although what Kumaresh spoke was digestible, the driver's dialect was not comprehensible because of his peculiar accent.
We drove for about 35 minutes along the 'freeway' and another main road. We found the trees completely bare, except some pine trees which had green leaves. This was because of the fall season, Kumaresh said. The cabs halted in front of Block No. 1925 of Somerset Apartments. As we were getting out, I heard a loud voice, 'Oh hero, You have come? Wait, I am coming down.' in Hindi. Kumaresh introduced us to his friend Ravi, who occupied the next apartment. It was a bit surprising to hear words spoken in Hindi so far away. Later I ccame to know that there were plenty of Indians around that area.
Here we were, beginning to taste of life in the Other side of the World.
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