Overcoming fears, defying the odds, challenging myself, learning to trust, making new friends, and discovering myself; this journey I took is filled with astounding memories and incredible stories.
So, do check out my previous post(s) on this Thailand travel series listed below.
It started with a layover at the ‘city of joy!’, Kolkata.
Direct flight to Bangkok was damn expensive and would undoubtedly leave a hole in our budget, so we decided on layover option as it would save a lot of money for us! I for one was very excited about landing in Kolkata as it had always been my desire to explore that city. After hearing a lot about the beauty of Kolkata during ‘Durga Pooja‘ from my friend Saumy, the invisible connect I share with Kolkata just grew stronger!
As much as I hate to do so, I must confess that the first couple of hours after landing in Kolkata turned out to be alarming, contrary to what I had in mind! The flight we opted for was not a connecting flight, so we had to check-out our baggage and depart from the domestic terminal (the connecting way to international terminal was closed on that day) and check-in again at the international terminal. All was well until we realized that there were only a couple of food outlets available before the departure gate and those were not open at that hour. The most depressing part was the thought of having to stay idle for 10 hours without food when I was starving!
As a kid, I used to irritate my mom to the core whenever there was a slight delay from her end in cooking a meal when I was hungry; well, some of it didn’t change even now! By now you might have a vague idea that it is highly unlikely of me to stay sane without satisfying the needs of my rumbling tummy.
If only I listened to my dad and had a filling meal before I left for the airport’ was the only thought that lingered in my subconscious!
Well, we had to do something with that 10 odd hours than just sitting it out in the waiting area outside the departure gate. ‘Why not explore the city roads at night’ we thought. Once that was decided, we approached the security at the exit gate and came to know that we cannot just step out of the airport with the baggage! I just couldn’t follow the reasons the guard gave us on why can’t we leave, so, the obvious thing to do was take help of the airline staff. We did that, and the person we spoke to, understood our problem and came along with us to talk to the security.
That was when the drama began; the guard indirectly suggested that we can leave the airport only if there were medical or other emergencies. To that suggestion, my innocent self repeatedly answered, ‘But Sir, we do not have any emergency! We just want to go out and have some food, as there is nothing inside the airport.’ After a couple of minutes, Ashok understood what the guard was suggesting and mentioned that we have a medical emergency and would like to leave the airport. For that, the guard quickly answered ‘OK sir, please sign here and you can leave,’ just like that! Finally, after a lot of drama, we got out of the airport!
We were so disheartened by the experience till then that with whatever little hope left in us, we hired an Ola rental for 6 hours still ambiguous about how the rest of the time spent at Kolkata going to be!
As we came out, we saw a small food counter and went there to check out if there was something available to eat. The only food available was idly which were lukewarm. As there were no other options available, I somehow gulped those rubbery textured idly and swore to myself on that day that I would never eat idly at any airport ever again!
Do you want to hear more about what happened after that? Then, just watch out; there is a lot more coming up in next post! Until then, the writer is signing off!
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This experience must have been truly annoying , and tiring, both! Waiting to know more!
Connecting flight is not always a good experience but sometimes not much we can do about it. Looking forward to the next episode of your travel journey!
I’m quite invested in your Thailand trip. Kolkata during Durga Puja is a marvel.
Next time carry some food with u while traveling. Waiting to hear more.
Oh! Read both your posts. I could feel the excitement. Wish the posts were longer so that I would know what happened
Namratha from #firstgreenstep #MyFriendAlexa
That was quite cheeky by the security… 🙂 didn’t expect that.
Sounds like a tiresome and annoying experience. Long lay overs are always an issue.
Hi there! I do know how annoying it must have been while your stomach grumbles and you cannot go out of the airport. Would have loved to know more of what happened .. will return to read.:)
Oh, Keerthy, a rumbling tummy leaves me cranky, too! I wonder what you would have done had you not stepped out of the airport! Just the thought of sitting idle, makes me restless!!
#metanoaireads
I can feel for you, not a good experience, it happens to many of us and we do face such situation, there is always something to grab in airports, it is bit surprising to hear you were left high and dry…but I am sure the next part of your exploration must have been a exciting one. The adventure of venturing into the streets of Kolkatta. The city indeed a place to explore and for food the streets of Kolkatta is a paradise. Looking forward to hear the next part of your story, you have kept the plot hidden.
😀
Waiting for the next part …Keerthu. I can understand how frustrating it is to be confined to the airport!
i have experiences lay over flights and know how boring they gets,cant wait to read the story.
This post is warns about do’s & don’ts regarding long journey. Next time when I an travelling I ain’t stepping out empty stomach anywhere.
Once while travellig to Mount Abu, I did not eat anything , fearing indigestion and ended up with severe acidity. Since then Iamke it a point to have light snacks before starting the journey. Would so love to read, the next part of this post . #MyFriendAlexa #SujatawdeReads
I hate cliffhangers! Please upload the next part. I am sure it would be quite an experience
Must have been an alarming beginning to a journey. Looking forward to the next episodes and hoping Kolkata treated you better after you got into the city.
Waiting to read the next part..so, what happened next?:)
Hehe happens with me same when papa says Ghar se khali pet nahi jana chahiye 😀
Oh! That was one unhappy experience for you. Hope things went well later.
Oh i agree, you can’t think straight with a hungry tummy…Looking forward to your next post.
nice post
Layover flights can be a problem, but sometimes we have to opt for it. I too become cranky when empty stomach. I hope next step of journey was exciting and enjoyable.
Aah now I know the Instagram pic. And now I guess you can edit the post about Saumy, no more an invisible friend 😉
Oh dear. Hungry and tired and wait for 10 hours.. that’s like a torture. Hope ur trip went well.
#MyFriendAlexa #momlearningwithbaby #Blogchatter
Have been through this at the Jaipur airport where the only food that was available was sandwiches from CCD. My kid was 2 then, and we really had a tough time.
This Thailand trip of yours sounds like quite an adventure. Will follow this series for sure. My friends and I went on a 5 day trip to Thailand a couple of years ago and we managed the whole trip within 25k per head and that’s including flight, stay, food and internal travel.
Oh that’s a terrible start to the trip. I think there are only two to three airports in the country which offer quality food others are just pathetic.
From US to India we have to take a layover. I never faced any issues may be the international airport is the reason. I like layovers which help to stretch my leg from long flight journeys.
That’s miserable… Write the next part!
We too experienced same when we are really hungry and no food available especially in the airport. Eagerly Waiting to read more about your travel experience.
its quite frustrating stuck at airport with no food. Will wait for ur next post.
I usually prefer to eat at live counters at the airport so idli, dosa is something we always go far. But I now know where not to eat the same ?
Awaiting the next part! Hope you don’t keep it a mystery for long.
Oh bummer! These kind of experiences just spoil the mood. I hope you were able to salvage. #surreads #myfriendalexa #blogchatter
Amazing and beautiful post. That’s is so terrible trip with no food.
Long layovers are always boring! Next time make sure you carry lots of snacks with you! Waiting to know more about your trip.
Staying hungry for a long time is difficult. But, your narrative is interesting to read. Looking forward to read your travelogue.
Hi Keerthi.. Tell me about it.. I know what a layover feels like. And yes, I’m all ears to know what did you find in the early hours of Kolkata. That’s because it’s usually silent after 9 pm itself!
Kolkata airport is a little sad. Those two food counters that you find at international departure also sells overpriced bad sandwiches. But as you enter the outskirts of the city there are plenty of joints and dhabas that are open entire night. I guess you had not gone till that. I can understand how bad it feels when you are hungry and no food available!
Hey dear .. must have been tiring experience for you.. but Kolkata has a lot to offer trust me. We had a layover while going to Bagdogra and we opted to explore Kolkata. Fortunately it was in the morning so we not only took a tour but also had yummy rasgulla and chum chum from the famous KC Das.
very sad experience… just takes the fun out at times
I don’t know why but have felt this myself, when we have huge expectations from some places or things it turn out to be big lopsided ones. Hope you have a good next part of travel sojourns.
Waiting eagerly to know what next…..
Ah! Nothing seems good if one is hungry. Anyways , looking forward to read your next post.
I know it is so frustrating especially when you have a connecting flight and if have a bad experience to start your trip.
Youve told your experience in such an interesting way
I hope the experience get better from here!! The securit incident looked funny to me 🙁 [ sorry about it though] and I can’t wait to read more
Look like a great experience
Oh, staying hungry and long hours must have been tiring. Awaiting next part.
ouch that was such a troublesome and tiring experience…can feel the pain. Long layovers are always exhaustive.
Don’t want to rub it in but always listen to your parents ! They have travelled many more roads than you have . It makes sense to eat before you travel… and eating on the road is never a good idea in any place ..
Whoa, tiring experience youve had.
#sindhureads #myfriendalexa
you got the adventure, drama, suspense all in one airport… let’s hope rest of the trip was less eventful..
Somebody throwing a tantrum while you’re going insane with hunger pangs, is such a bad state to be in. How did you mange to keep your sanity? This seems to be so tiring. Nonetheless, I’m intrigued to know about the time you managed to spend in Kolkata.
I must say, I love the layout of your website. It’s very clean and chic. And the quote really stands out. Also, what a bummer about the connecting flight. But at least you got to leave the airport. Also, the Calcutta Airport is not even that amazing. But now I cannot wait to find out what happened next…
What do they say about listening to your mom 🙁 Kind of same happened with me.
Something or the rother always go off the plan. And i think that brings in the excitement in the journey. Keep writing. I am waiting for the entire trip.