30.12.08:
Mum teared as she bade farewell. To her, it’s yet another developing nation on the verge of an arm’s race. 2 weeks proved too long. To me, it’s the beginning of an Indian dream 6 months in the making. Watching her face crumple under the weight of worry made my heart wrench.
Faizal, Layla and Farhani made for a pleasant send-off. After making me worried for half-an-hour at the prospects of running late, they rose to the occasion with a pre-planned drive to Changi. The worries melted instantly.
1945h Singapore time at the Budget Terminal and the group of 7 assembled. Faruq came in arms with his mum and aunt. India never seemed so real. We took off an hour and a half later, touching down on Indian soil for the first time at 2250h local time after a 4-hour flight. First impression counts and Chennai Airport fell short of that. Our baggage came 30 minutes late and watching a local squabble over a mistaken order of chicken sandwich at the Café Coffee Day made for an interesting yet frustrating scene. But much of Chennai was too sleepy to care.
Pacing up and down the main corridor between halls was somewhat excruciating to our backs. It was this deciding moment that led to purchasing a 7940Rs return trip to Delhi. We’re SGD228 poorer each but 72 hours richer. That’s worth at least an entirely new Indian city, or a trek in the great Himalayas.
It’s 0135h local time and we’re on the cold ceramic tiles of the Departure Hall. Not the first night of our dreams but we still hold high hopes for Agra and its Mughal wonder.
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