I don’t mean just the weather, even the people are cold. Everything around me is just cold and silent. Probably I feel this because I have just returned back from Bombay. Leave the weather in Bombay (it was warm there), apart from that there is so much happening around you that you just can’t sit idle. People are so busy and chirping continuously about something or the other. There was some kind of energy there (in Bombay) that keep people going. During my last visit I boarded a train at 01:00 a.m. even at that time the damn platform was full of people (won’t say to the full capacity, as there is no limit to the capacity of the local trains there).
Here in Dubai everything is so silent, no honking on the roads, people just keep to themselves and disturb you only if they need you to do something. I know, you must be thinking these are positives and why am I cribbing about them? It is something that I don’t have an answer to. I have an 8 to 5 job during which I can get any amount of my personal work done and no one would question it. I even have a broadband internet access unlike my friends working in India. Work is less and good, but still when I reach my room in the evening I am tired and want to sleep so I could call off one more day.
Is it cold because of lack of acquaintances? As of now I am cold and waiting for a warmer Dubai. I sense it is as close as 31st of Dec when most of my Dubai friends will be back from vacation and we will party. 2009 has been a great year for me; it is just leaving me cold at the end as if it was preparing me for the colder 2010. Bring it on!!! I am not prepared but then neither am I scared. I’ll bounce back even if you knock me out in the 1st round.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
"WING" THAT FUELED MY YOUTH
Today I am riding high and fast on my gixxer (Kayoko) and settled career wise. But last week when I visited my parents house I realized many things, one of them was My love for my ride (The 1st vehicle that was bought on my Name).
Ever since I started working I had never rode it. Every time I used to regret not riding it after my vacation. What stopped me from riding it? Well, I always looked at it as a symbol of my love life during the engineering days. I was scared that it would remind me of a life that I dreamed off with that girl. But then one night I was smoking out of the toilet window and suddenly it felt like déjà vu, (7years back) third year engineering days. I remembered how I used to stand in the exact same place stare at the empty dark night and worry about my future. I realized at that point of time, I could have never imagined a life like this; I was and still am very damn pessimistic. I just stood there as if it was 2002 and I had an exam tomorrow started thinking of all the things I have memorized, I could even feel the pressure of the exams. Then I realized one more thing that was the time when I had got my Wings my Dio and it was the 1st exams after we had got her. We did not have to worry about catching a bus to the college we could leave late and mug up a bit more.
It was as if my whole déjà vu focus shifted from the exams and my life to the forgotten savior (Wings that got me FLYING). To cut a long story short very few of those memories were related to my ex-girlfriend. A lot of it was just me and her. During Engineering days we (Bijin and I) used to share it 3 days in a week he used to take it 3 days in a week it would be with me. The one day that was left we both used to roam around together. We used to fill in petrol for Rs.10 every day (if not less). I have abused it every possible way. I even took it to Pune, where I was doing my PGDACM. I was one those very few ones who used to travel on an automatic scooter in my college. But that time it was my pride never was I ashamed of it. It was (I feel it still is) the coolest looking scooters. Red on the main body frame with flashes of silver on the sides (front) and a small silver racing stripe at the back.
It struck me; I have been such a fool. Throughout the night I kept thinking about the good old times when I just started my Dio and just flew away into my own world. Only she could give me that feeling that I am lost peacefully, because as long as Dio is there with me I always had the option to get back to reality. She made me dream of a better world and a better life (more of an assurance). She was my confidant. But why did we fall apart, I have no answers. I still love her (is one of the reasons I will never sell her).
So to get the answers, to fall in love again, to let the wind touch my face, to feel freedom through her wings and to get lost, I picked up the keys and spread her wings once again.
Ever since I started working I had never rode it. Every time I used to regret not riding it after my vacation. What stopped me from riding it? Well, I always looked at it as a symbol of my love life during the engineering days. I was scared that it would remind me of a life that I dreamed off with that girl. But then one night I was smoking out of the toilet window and suddenly it felt like déjà vu, (7years back) third year engineering days. I remembered how I used to stand in the exact same place stare at the empty dark night and worry about my future. I realized at that point of time, I could have never imagined a life like this; I was and still am very damn pessimistic. I just stood there as if it was 2002 and I had an exam tomorrow started thinking of all the things I have memorized, I could even feel the pressure of the exams. Then I realized one more thing that was the time when I had got my Wings my Dio and it was the 1st exams after we had got her. We did not have to worry about catching a bus to the college we could leave late and mug up a bit more.
It was as if my whole déjà vu focus shifted from the exams and my life to the forgotten savior (Wings that got me FLYING). To cut a long story short very few of those memories were related to my ex-girlfriend. A lot of it was just me and her. During Engineering days we (Bijin and I) used to share it 3 days in a week he used to take it 3 days in a week it would be with me. The one day that was left we both used to roam around together. We used to fill in petrol for Rs.10 every day (if not less). I have abused it every possible way. I even took it to Pune, where I was doing my PGDACM. I was one those very few ones who used to travel on an automatic scooter in my college. But that time it was my pride never was I ashamed of it. It was (I feel it still is) the coolest looking scooters. Red on the main body frame with flashes of silver on the sides (front) and a small silver racing stripe at the back.
It struck me; I have been such a fool. Throughout the night I kept thinking about the good old times when I just started my Dio and just flew away into my own world. Only she could give me that feeling that I am lost peacefully, because as long as Dio is there with me I always had the option to get back to reality. She made me dream of a better world and a better life (more of an assurance). She was my confidant. But why did we fall apart, I have no answers. I still love her (is one of the reasons I will never sell her).
So to get the answers, to fall in love again, to let the wind touch my face, to feel freedom through her wings and to get lost, I picked up the keys and spread her wings once again.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Emirates Experience
Today morning my Sister was suppose to board the early morning Emirates flight from Dubai to Bombay. I had booked that flight because it was very important for my Mom that she be at home on 3rd Dec 2009 plus she wanted to join office.
So my cousins, Sister and I reached the airport terminal 3 by 01:00 hrs. She tried checking in through the electronic check-in at the start of terminal 3. But the electronic machine did not accept her passport so we decided to do the normal check-in.
There was an Arab guy (Not a UAE local but definitely GCC) at the counter. He checked her ticket and then very bluntly said “Madam, you cannot board this flight and you can board the next flight at 09:30 hrs plus we will give you an extra ticket that will be valid for a year.” My sister is travelling out of the country for the first time, so she had no idea how to react to this. She just walked to me saying there is some problem.
Then I walked to the guy at the counter and asked him about the problem. He repeated the same sentence with the same arrogant tone. At first even I went blank and then started thinking “Is it fucking possible?” I thought since I have paid for the ticket why the fuck should I just walk off. I asked him the reason and thinking there might be some serious problem (you can never trust what can go wrong these days). The guy then told me “Sir, We overbooked the flight and there is a chance that she might not be able to board this flight and but to find that out you will have to wait till 02:30 hrs.” On hearing this naturally my 1st reaction was “Overbooked???” “The (fucking) flight? What is that suppose to mean?”
The guy then told me that it was the airlines mistake and they overbooked the flight as in sold some of the already sold tickets to some other transit customer? Then I called in my cousin who was parking his car, who too was shocked at such a thing. We stood there arguing and had mild altercation with all the people at the counter. Then they told us that we are not the only one that most of the people checking in now were being held off and it was true. There were like 5 more customers waiting on other counters arguing about the same point. One guy had a connecting flight from Bombay to Goa. There was one more guy whose mother was serious? And there were a few other guys like my sister.
Cutting a long story short, we argued but as time passed, it sunk in to me that there is no way that any of these people were getting on that flight so it will be better to choose from what they have to offer. This was as follows:
1) Travel by any other flight that day (9:30, 13:20, 16:30 and 22:30 flights). I selected the 22:30 flight for my sister as I shall not be able to drop her before that since I am at work today.
2) Plus one return ticket between Dubai and Bombay (only in the current passengers name and not en-cashable). We had to take this as this was the only Solace from this situation.
3) Stay at the hotel till the next flight. If it was a guy we would have definitely availed this option but since it is my sister here I didn’t want to leave her alone in a hotel for a day.
By 03:00 in the morning the deal was done but anyone who is not a frequent flyer can be far from happy by this. I understand there is no point in cribbing about this, since it is done now. But thinking about this there are a few things Emirates can do about such situation.
1) How the fuck does someone overbook a flight? It is not metro ticket counter that you keep selling tickets and customer will choose from the scheduled trains to board. You have fixed seats to fill in and standing passengers are not allowed. It is suppose to be an International flight and that too Emirates. They are so highly ranked.
2) If at all they have such a situation, they should inform the passenger at least 5 hours before the flight (i.e. 2 hours before the check-in time). They should call or at least inform through text message.
3) Emirates staff could do away with the tone and attitude, especially at this kind of situation. Just not expected off such reputed airlines. I am not just complaining about the Arab guy but the other Indian female who was at the counter (forgot their names though). The Indian girl had a technique of breaking this news to customer. She just rudely told them with a Sir prefix “We cannot allow you to board this flight, you will have to take the next flight out of here and there absolutely nothing that we can do to get you on this flight” (The ticket is mentioned only when the passengers revolts). That strategy actually works as I saw 2 guys just simply take the next flight ticket and leave.
Now let’s start with the inconveniences caused:
1) My Sister won’t be able to join work as scheduled.
2) My Sister won’t be attending the Some Puja (a Hindu ritual) which my mom follows religiously. (I personally, didn’t want to mention this reason as I myself oppose such impositions from my Mom )
3) One day stay at Dubai (unplanned / forced).
4) My cousin and I are deprived of sleep and are working today. (I had only 3 hour of sleep)
5) We had to pay AED 25 for his parking. (Which could have been avoided if everything went according to plan)
6) Staying awake at the Airport from 1:00 to 3:00 am (Doesn’t go well with such unpleasant news).
7) Putting up with the attitude of Emirates staff (one of them was polite) at the counter.
8) The free return ticket provided as compensation is non-transferrable, or I could travel on it.
I am putting this up on my blog and sending to all my friends. I would like to request all who read this blog, please post your comments. I will send the link to this blog to Emirates complaint box and would like them to consider some suggestions. I am not raking up a movement against this airline, just providing them suggestions from the passengers. More like a suggestion box slip (hope it is taken seriously).
There is just one more thing; I just hope they don’t fuck up my Thailand flight (Booked them before this incident) it is schedule for this month.
So my cousins, Sister and I reached the airport terminal 3 by 01:00 hrs. She tried checking in through the electronic check-in at the start of terminal 3. But the electronic machine did not accept her passport so we decided to do the normal check-in.
There was an Arab guy (Not a UAE local but definitely GCC) at the counter. He checked her ticket and then very bluntly said “Madam, you cannot board this flight and you can board the next flight at 09:30 hrs plus we will give you an extra ticket that will be valid for a year.” My sister is travelling out of the country for the first time, so she had no idea how to react to this. She just walked to me saying there is some problem.
Then I walked to the guy at the counter and asked him about the problem. He repeated the same sentence with the same arrogant tone. At first even I went blank and then started thinking “Is it fucking possible?” I thought since I have paid for the ticket why the fuck should I just walk off. I asked him the reason and thinking there might be some serious problem (you can never trust what can go wrong these days). The guy then told me “Sir, We overbooked the flight and there is a chance that she might not be able to board this flight and but to find that out you will have to wait till 02:30 hrs.” On hearing this naturally my 1st reaction was “Overbooked???” “The (fucking) flight? What is that suppose to mean?”
The guy then told me that it was the airlines mistake and they overbooked the flight as in sold some of the already sold tickets to some other transit customer? Then I called in my cousin who was parking his car, who too was shocked at such a thing. We stood there arguing and had mild altercation with all the people at the counter. Then they told us that we are not the only one that most of the people checking in now were being held off and it was true. There were like 5 more customers waiting on other counters arguing about the same point. One guy had a connecting flight from Bombay to Goa. There was one more guy whose mother was serious? And there were a few other guys like my sister.
Cutting a long story short, we argued but as time passed, it sunk in to me that there is no way that any of these people were getting on that flight so it will be better to choose from what they have to offer. This was as follows:
1) Travel by any other flight that day (9:30, 13:20, 16:30 and 22:30 flights). I selected the 22:30 flight for my sister as I shall not be able to drop her before that since I am at work today.
2) Plus one return ticket between Dubai and Bombay (only in the current passengers name and not en-cashable). We had to take this as this was the only Solace from this situation.
3) Stay at the hotel till the next flight. If it was a guy we would have definitely availed this option but since it is my sister here I didn’t want to leave her alone in a hotel for a day.
By 03:00 in the morning the deal was done but anyone who is not a frequent flyer can be far from happy by this. I understand there is no point in cribbing about this, since it is done now. But thinking about this there are a few things Emirates can do about such situation.
1) How the fuck does someone overbook a flight? It is not metro ticket counter that you keep selling tickets and customer will choose from the scheduled trains to board. You have fixed seats to fill in and standing passengers are not allowed. It is suppose to be an International flight and that too Emirates. They are so highly ranked.
2) If at all they have such a situation, they should inform the passenger at least 5 hours before the flight (i.e. 2 hours before the check-in time). They should call or at least inform through text message.
3) Emirates staff could do away with the tone and attitude, especially at this kind of situation. Just not expected off such reputed airlines. I am not just complaining about the Arab guy but the other Indian female who was at the counter (forgot their names though). The Indian girl had a technique of breaking this news to customer. She just rudely told them with a Sir prefix “We cannot allow you to board this flight, you will have to take the next flight out of here and there absolutely nothing that we can do to get you on this flight” (The ticket is mentioned only when the passengers revolts). That strategy actually works as I saw 2 guys just simply take the next flight ticket and leave.
Now let’s start with the inconveniences caused:
1) My Sister won’t be able to join work as scheduled.
2) My Sister won’t be attending the Some Puja (a Hindu ritual) which my mom follows religiously. (I personally, didn’t want to mention this reason as I myself oppose such impositions from my Mom )
3) One day stay at Dubai (unplanned / forced).
4) My cousin and I are deprived of sleep and are working today. (I had only 3 hour of sleep)
5) We had to pay AED 25 for his parking. (Which could have been avoided if everything went according to plan)
6) Staying awake at the Airport from 1:00 to 3:00 am (Doesn’t go well with such unpleasant news).
7) Putting up with the attitude of Emirates staff (one of them was polite) at the counter.
8) The free return ticket provided as compensation is non-transferrable, or I could travel on it.
I am putting this up on my blog and sending to all my friends. I would like to request all who read this blog, please post your comments. I will send the link to this blog to Emirates complaint box and would like them to consider some suggestions. I am not raking up a movement against this airline, just providing them suggestions from the passengers. More like a suggestion box slip (hope it is taken seriously).
There is just one more thing; I just hope they don’t fuck up my Thailand flight (Booked them before this incident) it is schedule for this month.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Damn!!!
Last 2 days I have been Sleeping at 06:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m. the next day.
Damn this Throat infection and the Anti-biotic medicines. So I decided I will not take these medicines now not at least today.
Damn this Throat infection and the Anti-biotic medicines. So I decided I will not take these medicines now not at least today.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Aye SHIVANI
DO you remember this song "Aye Shivani" ... its from some flop flick which had Sanju Baba singing this song for Urmila Matonkar .....
Now imagine this You are standing in Kurla station to board a train during peak office hours .... and a chotta beggar (boy) singing this song pointing at you ... that too loud enough that a whole compartment crowd can hear it ......
Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!! right ......... well it would be more embarrassing if you are a guy (since this song is for a girl) ..... going to college at his usual time ... with his whole gang of friends who travel with him every day ...... (1st Year Engg)
Now why would the chotta beggar do this?? Just because he didn't get anything from you ........ He wanted to get back by embarrassing you in front of your friends ....... well he won!!!!!! .... This officially is the most embarrassing moment in my life till date!!!!!!!!!
after that I was so terrified ... that before entering the platform ..... I used to check out the platform for this guy (of course I couldn't forget his face for a month)....
I don't know what triggered this thought, after so many years .... It was as if I had completely blocked this part ... Any ways ... now I think it was damn funny ... If this had happened to any of my friends ... I wud have called them up right away .... but guess this time I will just look in the mirror and laugh my ass off
Now imagine this You are standing in Kurla station to board a train during peak office hours .... and a chotta beggar (boy) singing this song pointing at you ... that too loud enough that a whole compartment crowd can hear it ......
Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!! right ......... well it would be more embarrassing if you are a guy (since this song is for a girl) ..... going to college at his usual time ... with his whole gang of friends who travel with him every day ...... (1st Year Engg)
Now why would the chotta beggar do this?? Just because he didn't get anything from you ........ He wanted to get back by embarrassing you in front of your friends ....... well he won!!!!!! .... This officially is the most embarrassing moment in my life till date!!!!!!!!!
after that I was so terrified ... that before entering the platform ..... I used to check out the platform for this guy (of course I couldn't forget his face for a month)....
I don't know what triggered this thought, after so many years .... It was as if I had completely blocked this part ... Any ways ... now I think it was damn funny ... If this had happened to any of my friends ... I wud have called them up right away .... but guess this time I will just look in the mirror and laugh my ass off
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