I always wondered about my mental ability at the time of my travel out of the country all by myself. I can never say that I have not travelled before, but this particular one has its own significance. I was more than enthusiastic and really looking forward for this trip. It was the second week of February 2006 and I was going to land in Toronto, Canada with its 5 feet of snow at that time of the year.
As many of you would know, I was given a cultural orientation at the office one week before and was asked to meet the Business manager for any doubts. I never had any doubts as I am used to doing my own research. I followed Toronto weather religiously to check if there was a snowstorm due, went on a shopping spree for cardigans that out-numbered the ones in any English granny’s closet.
It was just three days for my journey and I was still waiting to receive my passport stuck with the visa. Finally with two days left for the D-day, my travel documents arrived. I was given my travel card for my daily grub and allowance and also my little data machine in the form of an age-old company Laptop. (! At least I have something; some of them just travel with a data key!!!!)
I started on my expedition on the 17th of Feb and was so confident that I did not bother to do a checklist. My layover was in London, the largest airport in the world. I was amazed at the size of it and the only question in my mind was about my luggage reaching Toronto along with me. The total journey was about 18 hours and finally I was excited to land on snow. It was 2:00 in the afternoon as I reached there.
My idea of snow day was that it is great and exciting to play, as seen on TV. So I walked out of the airport to find a placard with my name written on it, just wearing on of my stylish pullovers. I swear that I have never experienced any kind of excruciating pain as I did then; I never knew cold could be piercing. Within two seconds I was back in the airport wearing my winter proof gear and resumed my search for a cab driver bearing my name.
I could never find one and it was almost 2 hours since I had deplaned. I was smart enough to carry contact numbers of the people responsible for the project. It was Saturday and I could hear the voice mail on all of the mobile numbers. The next best thing to do was take a taxi and get to the hotel I was supposed to check in. That’s when I was doomed. Lack of checklist told me that I had forgotten to get my lodging details.
I continued calling all the numbers and found that I could talk to one person who did not know where I was checking in. I did not have a mobile that he could call back and he did not know where I was going. We made a deal that I would keep calling him every one hour until he can find out my hotel reservation. It took 5 full hours for me to know that the place I was to check in did a complimentary airport transfer and I just need to let the travel desk know about it. It was 7 in the night when I reached my destination for the night and could call home to say I reached safe. Its a different experience that I stayed in Toronto for more than 5 months and downtown Toronto is my all time favourite.
As many of you would know, I was given a cultural orientation at the office one week before and was asked to meet the Business manager for any doubts. I never had any doubts as I am used to doing my own research. I followed Toronto weather religiously to check if there was a snowstorm due, went on a shopping spree for cardigans that out-numbered the ones in any English granny’s closet.
It was just three days for my journey and I was still waiting to receive my passport stuck with the visa. Finally with two days left for the D-day, my travel documents arrived. I was given my travel card for my daily grub and allowance and also my little data machine in the form of an age-old company Laptop. (! At least I have something; some of them just travel with a data key!!!!)
I started on my expedition on the 17th of Feb and was so confident that I did not bother to do a checklist. My layover was in London, the largest airport in the world. I was amazed at the size of it and the only question in my mind was about my luggage reaching Toronto along with me. The total journey was about 18 hours and finally I was excited to land on snow. It was 2:00 in the afternoon as I reached there.
My idea of snow day was that it is great and exciting to play, as seen on TV. So I walked out of the airport to find a placard with my name written on it, just wearing on of my stylish pullovers. I swear that I have never experienced any kind of excruciating pain as I did then; I never knew cold could be piercing. Within two seconds I was back in the airport wearing my winter proof gear and resumed my search for a cab driver bearing my name.
I could never find one and it was almost 2 hours since I had deplaned. I was smart enough to carry contact numbers of the people responsible for the project. It was Saturday and I could hear the voice mail on all of the mobile numbers. The next best thing to do was take a taxi and get to the hotel I was supposed to check in. That’s when I was doomed. Lack of checklist told me that I had forgotten to get my lodging details.
I continued calling all the numbers and found that I could talk to one person who did not know where I was checking in. I did not have a mobile that he could call back and he did not know where I was going. We made a deal that I would keep calling him every one hour until he can find out my hotel reservation. It took 5 full hours for me to know that the place I was to check in did a complimentary airport transfer and I just need to let the travel desk know about it. It was 7 in the night when I reached my destination for the night and could call home to say I reached safe. Its a different experience that I stayed in Toronto for more than 5 months and downtown Toronto is my all time favourite.
Lesson learnt from my amateur travels.. to note where you are going..
2 comments:
Hmm...good naration...thrills aa..but what does this Moi..mean....
Moi means 'me' in french spelt as 'muaah'
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