The Saga of an Umbrella

Continuing with the theme of rains and umbrellas - there is one story involving an umbrella, which I never will forget. Here goes:

When in the US, CBM and I decided to buy this big, yet nice umbrella, which was also to double up as a souvenir. It served us well through our stay in the US. We decided to get this umbrella back to India, since it was expensive, very useful and was also of senti value. The only thing that had to be checked was whether it would be allowed on board an aircraft.

We were travelling Air India (my first time with Air India, which I had diligently avoided till then because of all the horror stories). One reason why we booked Air India was because it promised to be a "direct flight," with a stopover at London. What we believed was, that like any other hopping flight, it would stop at London for refueling, the flight would be cleaned etc and basically, we wouldn't have to get off the aircraft. Seemed a good deal!

I went on to the Air India website and checked the list of articles not allowed in the cabin. There was no mention of an umbrella. It infact said that an umbrella could be taken on board, though the sketch was of a parasol. I then checked the US ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms) website, which also did not mention an umbrella in the list of prohibited items. Hence, the umbrella was with us when we lined up at the check-in counter. We checked in our luggage and the rude lady (Air India!!) at the counter said that the umbrella wouldn't be allowed onboard. I asked her whether that was an Air India rule, to which she replied that it wasn't and that it was an ATF rule and if the ATF had no problem at security check, we could take it onboard. I promptly walked across to the ATF officials. They had a look at my umbrella and said that I could take it onboard. First battle won, CBM and I were kicked. We got on to the aircraft, umbrella in tow, kept it very carefully next to us.

Early next morning we landed in London. Just as we had been warned by some of our friends who had taken this flight earlier, the purser informed the passangers that we were required to get off the aircraft, get into Heathrow and security check once again and re-enter the aircraft. The process had to be completed in 30 mins and so, everyone was expected to quickly run to security check and re-enter the aircraft (which was going to be parked at the same gate!!). All cabin baggage also had to be taken, which meant umbrella had to be taken as well. We didn't anticipate a problem. If the US ATF had permitted us to carry it, why would the British stop us!

We got to the Security check counter. There was this police woman, (who reminded me of Jane Goody) at the security check counter. She had one look at the umbrella and said, you cant take this. I argued that I was a transit passanger and it was unfair to tell me now that I cant take it. She said too bad, you either go into England and check it in or throw it. CBM and I looked at each other and said that we hear right. Did she say enter England?? I decided to re-check.

Me: "You mean you want me to go through immigration and check this in?"

Policewoman: "Yes," (with this evil look on her face!)

Me: "I dont have a visa, nor do I have the time"

Policewoman: "Too bad for you then..Throw it."

Me: "Can I ask Air India if they are willing to check it in at the boarding gate, if you check and ensure that it is not dangerous etc etc"

Policewoman: Yes

That was the break. We begged and pleaded with the Air India staff there and one saving grace of the flight, was that one of the guys agreed. He said he would check it in. It would not have a baggage tag - but would have a sticker with my name and seat number on it. They wouldnt be responsible if it got lost or destroyed and he was doing it as a personal favour, considering the stupidity of the alternative and because we were on a transit flight! We agreed to all his conditions and thanked him. He escorted us to the gate, gave the umbrella to someone and that someone disappeared. We didnt have too much hope that we'd see the umbrella again, but it was better than giving it to the Jane Goody look-alike.

We landed in Delhi around 7 hours later and it was time to get to the conveyor belt to claim luggate. We had 6 pieces + umbrella. None of the 7 pieces came for around 20 mins. Then, they started appearing. 1, 2, 3, 4..no umbrella yet, 5.."I guess we have lost the umbrella..a lost battle!" and suddenly, there comes the umbrella!! :). We were ecstatic. Except for some grease and a tiny tiny tear, the umbrella was in one piece. We had won the battle :).

Rain - Lovely Rain

I know CBM will kill me for borrowing her idea, but I was so in awe of the natural beauty around me, that I just had to post! Thats a good enough reason I guess.

When it comes to seasons, I love the winters. Its the time of the year when I can sip a hot beverage and really enjoy it; sit around a fire or an angethi chatting with friends; and most importantly, I dont need to iron my shirt! Theres always the sweater to hide the crumpled shirt :). Of course, I love the snow and always looked forward to the Met Department predicting sub-zero temperatures for the next week. In short, I love the cold!

When it came to rains, the first rain with the hail and thunder, were good times as kids. I'd also hope that it rains in the areas where I have some plantations, so that I got some extra pocket money :) But, most of the times, rains brought inconvenience. As a teenager, I was into tennis and whenever it rained - there was no tennis for a few days. In college, it was pain to walk to class in all the slush. I still distinctly remember my first day at work. Boss tells me to leave early on the first day and go enjoy myself. I walk out of the office and lo and behold - its raining cats and dogs and I dont have an umbrella! I wait for around 45 mins for the rain to stop. Then, since I am on Dalal street and they dont sell umbrellas there, I dash to Bombay store (yes yes - I was young and foolish then) and buy what will probably be the most expensive umbrella that I have ever purchased! (On the issue of umbrellas, there is another story, which I reserve for later). There was also a time when I nearly missed a train (which I really really had to take for a variety of reasons) because of the Bombay rains. Later in life, when in Bangalore, I remember being stuck in traffic day after day, because the entire city was waterlogged or the time when it took me 2 hrs and 45 mins to get to the airport, when it should have taken just 45, because a few roads here and there were waterlogged. So, I was indifferent about the rains.

Not so this year. It maybe because I have never experienced temperatures of 45 degrees celsius consistently for weeks at end and hence, was really looking forward to the rains to bring the temperatures back to normal. But, I think it was more so, because of the natural beauty that surrounded me once it started raining. I have always loved nature - be it forests, greenery, birds and animals. As a kid, I used to love giving shelter to lost (as I perceived them to be) toads, squirrels etc (much against the wishes of my mum). Now, much to CBM's displeasure, I love following birds and animals when out on a vacation and photograph them! So, in the summers, I missed the migratory birds flying over my office, every evening at 6 PM or of the birds chirping overhead or outside my window. All that suddenly came back the day it rained and it felt normal! There is also the light mist all around and the smell of the earth, soaked with water.

So, this year I have a very different perception of the rains and yes - it is definitely a wonderful world :). I guess the pictures better convey what I am trying to say.

PS: CBM took some of these pics!

Jury or Judge?

In the last nineteen months, I have grown older and wiser. And if I were asked today I would scream at the top of my voice - jury please..i would prefer 12 people applying their personal views rather than having one do so!
More later!