Crossing international boundaries to an unknown land has its share of surprises. I was part of an Indian delegation on an official trip to Texas, USA. The long wait for getting a Visa made the trip more exciting. As the D-Day came closer, I started feeling goose-bumps as this was my first foreign trip. I and my colleague reached Indira Gandhi International Airport well in time to avoid the last-minute rush. All checks and formalities were completed in time and we were even upgraded from economy to the executive class due to the nature of our trip, which came out to be a blessing in disguise. We checked into the lounge and started devouring into the delicacies and choicest wine available. By the time we boarded the flight, we were already sloshed. Then came the Maharaja treatment of Air India as we were greeted with a Namaskar and tricky question by the Air hostess “Sir, what would you like to have??” The menu card was shown and it contained all the options which one cannot resist.

 

The gulp of single malt and sumptuous snacks made us forget the arduous long journey of almost sixteen hours to reach Houston. As we landed at Houston airport, we moved like zombies to the check-in counter almost dragging ourselves and trying our best to come out of the deep slumber. The flight from Houston to Texas reminded us of our short trips from non-descript airports as it was almost packed to capacity and looked more like a mini-bus. The hospitality of Maharaja was now replaced by the rustic travel of the Yankees, which made us realize ‘East or West, India is the best!!’ Another surprise was in store as we landed at Texas airport. As lady luck always smiles at me towards the end, I was expecting my luggage to land at the carousel a bit late.

 

This time, the lady luck has turned her back towards me and left me to fend on my own. To my horror, my luggage was untraceable. As I went to the grievance cell, the lady at the counter nonchalantly declared that the luggage has not been picked from the Houston airport and will be there by the next flight. She further noted my address and asked me to proceed to my destination as luggage will be delivered as soon as possible. The wait for the luggage was never-ending and it took number of harrowing calls and constant pleading with the airport authorities to claim back my luggage.

 

I would have given the choicest of abuses and cursed myself for getting myself to agree sfor this trip. “Grass on the other side always looks greener” – This phrase aptly covers my experience as that day I realised that my country is the best which treats us in the best possible manner. The familiarity, the bon-homie, the care, one experiences in his country is nowhere to be find. My country, my pride!! (Author is a serving officer in the Indian Army)