Nomadic Notes #1

7:30AM. Local Time. Frankfurt International Airport:
I have 2 hours before my flight from Frankfurt to Chicago starts boarding. For someone who has spent the last 8 hours in a metal cage at 38,000 ft and the 12 hours before that sitting in the same spot at Chennai (Anna) International Airport, I feel pretty good, not outstanding, but definitely good. The German coffee is helping. It only seems appropriate to take a few minutes to key in my thoughts at this random place/hour. This is my fifth transcontinental trip this year, and I can almost hear my body screaming in protest. Work engulfs everything, or at least I’d like to think it does, and the balance with life seems to be swinging the wrong way. The wins and the losses from ’07 seem to be adding up the wrong way as well. Yet, as I think about it, “Travel”, my newfound friend, has helped me gain a better insight into life and its mysteries. Here are some of those insights…

·Faith: When the massive Boeing 747 shudders in the turbulence at 38,000ft, like a powerless toy, and you still make that smooth touchdown. Faith, in the outcome of events you cannot control or influence, faith in people doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, faith that the Universe will take care of you, as you try your best to take care of the Universe.

·Joy: When the German Lufthansa employee said “Merry Christmas” and gave me a free upgrade to First Class. Joy, at all those little surprises in life.

·Patience: Sitting inside a plane on the runway for 3 hours, waiting for a software glitch to disappear, watching a few people at their worst, unreasonable selves. Patience, where aggression was of no help.

·Goodness: When R, an airline employee my mom met on a bus she takes to work everyday, went out of her way to help me get an alternative flight when the original one was cancelled. When V, R’s colleague, went out of his way to get all my flights rescheduled, when he had no obligation to help. People are good and helpful, and that’s more the norm than the exception. I wonder if I always thought otherwise.

·Appreciation: When on a crazy Christmas night, after 2 hours of trying to get the engines to work, after half the passengers walked out, and a quarter screaming in protest, I told the tired co-pilot that I really appreciated what he and the others were doing to get the plane to fly…and he smiled a grateful smile. That flight was eventually cancelled; I still meant what I told him. Appreciation, where it’s truly deserved.

·Friendship: When 4 best buddies get me through a long, horribly depressing 12 hours at an airport by chatting incessantly on gtalk, despite having their own stuff to take care of. One of my lowest “mental” moments, and yet these 4 had me in decent shape by the time I took off. Friendship, unconditionally. V, M, D & N, Thanks!

·A Higher Force: When I ran into friends and acquaintances at random airports, when the statistical probability of such occurrences was negligible and yet they occurred. “The Alchemist” taught me that if I desired something a lot, the Universe would conspire to get it for me. My travels and my life in general has convinced me that the Universe is a friend, an omnipresent force, that looks out for me even as it conspires with me. Everything happens for the good.

Safe Travels! May the Force be with you!