My experience of flying to the United States of America

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page." St.Augustine.

I love travelling and I never ever believed that my dream of visiting the United States would become a reality.It was in the December of 2008,that my cousin Vimala who is a doctor in USvisted me and told me that she intended to give me a nice holiday. I was at first bereft for words and thought she was only chiding.Till she became serious and made me go online to book for my US visa.She later sent me the supporting papers as she was sponsoring me.

My visa interview at the US Embassy in Chennai was scheduled for 17th March.Since I had no one to accompany me, my friend Omana glady consented. We went by the Chennai Express and reached the next morning.I had booked the hotels rooms online,as the hotel was only walking distance to the Embassy. The time allotted for me was 10 am and so not being sure of the place, we set off early.I had heard from others that the queue would be very long and you would have to wait for hours in the heat.Lucky for me there was absolutely no such queue and I was able to go in immediately.I was allowed only to take my passport and the required documents,not even the umbrella or mobile so I left it with Omana.After the formalities,we could choose which counter we wanted to go to.Those who were not familiar with English,could choose the Indian personnel.I preferred to go to the American.He asked me what was the purpose of my visit.So I replied that I was going on a holiday Then he asked me which other places I had visited to which I told him I was a Principal at a Kenyan school and had visited Mayalsia. He was very much impressed and told me to go and enjoy my holiday. To which I was confident that I would get the visa.Omana was quite surprised to see me out so fast.We went back to the hotel had lunch rested and then visited our common friend,Hema. I needed some pants and tops.Hema helped me to do the shopping at a bargain,for which I am thankful to her. 

We returned the next evening by train and reached Trivandrum in time for lunch. The very next day my passport arrived with the visa stamped in it.Then I went about booking the tickets for my onward journey. My niece Tanya so much wanted me to visit the UK and I thought I could stop over on my return.So I booked my ticket via Heathrow as my return would be accordingly. But to my dismay, the server was down in the UK consulate at Kochi.So I had to give up my plan as there would be a further delay in getting my visa as my ticket was already booked for the 4th of May.

I packed my bags, thinking of ever detail so that I wouldn't forget a thing and not too sure of the climate and what to expect.My suitcase was full of warm clothing and pants,jeans and tops.The day arrived for me to leave,I was a bundle of nerves travelling alone and with mixed feelings because I was leaving my two children behind but was assured by my doctor neighbour and friends not to worry since they were there.

I had booked my ticket by Emirates and so the flight from Trivandrum  to Dubai on 3rd May 2009 was fine. I landed at Dubai airport and really wondered if I was in some South Asian country because everywhere you looked there were either Philippines, Chinese and quite a few Malayalees.I had a long overnight wait as my flight was only at 3.30 am.No accomodation was provided but  was allowed to sit in a big room on wide sofas with attached toilet.Was given food coupons.By chance I met a Malayali,an aged mother and daughter,Mary, who flew in from Sidney on their way to Trivandrum.So I went with them for dinner and had good company till they left.

Dubai airport

                    

My flight was to Heathrow airport and from there I was to catch my connecting flight to Chicago airport,by Emirates.

 "Travellers always buy experience which no books can give."Anonymous. It was so much true, especially with this sector of my flying experience.

I boarded the  Emirates flight and settled well but there was a delay in take off and when we were nearing Heathrow airport they said there was a smoke alarm, so we couldn't land there but had to go to Gatwick airport.I knew I would miss my flight in all this commotion and didn't know how it could be solved.At Gatwick, the plane had to be refuelled,so that was a further delay.At last it took off and landed in Heathrow,as they sensed it was a false alarm.You can imagine all this while how nervous I had been not knowing whether I would actually catch my flight and if not what would happen.I rushed as fast my legs could carry me.I think that if I had taken part in a Marathon I would surely have won the first place.On reaching the desk I was informed that the flight had left.I immediately approached the help desk and they told me that since I missed my flight I would be put onto the next available flight.It was then that I heaved a sight of relief and my pounding heart rate went back to normal

                 Heathrow airport

It didn't take very long to board the Emirates flight to Chicago and soon landed at O'Hare airport.My onward journey was to Tulsa,in Oklahoma was by Amer an Airlines.I really didn't know how to inform my cousin about the delay as smart phones were not  so common those days. So I walked around the airport looking for a phone booth to call.That required pence and I didn't have any,so I approached a bar tender and asked if he had change for dollars.But he appeared stone deaf because he didn't perhaps want to part with his pennies.So a stranger asked me for what I required the change and when I told him it was to ring my cousin.Like a good Samaritan,he volunteered to call from his phone.Unfortunately my cousin didn't pick it up and so I couldn't inform her.But he said that he would call her later and inform and that I need not worry So I informed him that my plane would land at 8.15 pm.I thanked him and moved on.

When I reached the Tulsa  International airport,I collected my baggage and moved out.It was a pleasent climate and was dark by now.My cousin was nowhere to be seen and I wondered if she got the message.I had no way of contacting her but decided to wait. Around 8.50 pm I saw her hurrying from the parking lot with a shawl and she said,"You must be freezing".To which I replied that I felt I was in an AC, because I love the cold.She later told me that she heard it as 8.50 and not 8.15 pm.

I was tired after the long journey but the jet lag never got me and after dinner and a wash and some chatting I soon fell asleep.

"A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."I was going to explore every part of America that I could.