"We have started our decent to Mumbai, Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport. We should be arriving at our destination in 20 mins."

This is the announcement that brings me back into half my senses after the long 22 hours journey back to Mumbai. And especially when the journey includes a 2 hour delay in Zurich (free of cost), my state is never receptive to the cute smiles of the beautiful air-hostes on the flight. And in between the quite bustle that spread across the whole plane with people makeing up their hair, rubbing their eyes open, straightening their back-rests and falana falana, I begin the preparation to land by filling up the embarkation form and stretching out my legs. Still in a drudgy state, I drag myself down the corridors to clear my baggage thru customs.

But the last stretch out of the airport is always different... I have never "Remembered" the "Scent" of Mumbai ever.... Infact I dont even know if there IS a "scent of Mumbai" which I should be aware off... but everytime I walk thru that stretch to get out of the airport, I actually can "Recollect" that smell. And as the warm air from outside mixes with the Air Conditioned air being circulated thru the building, it starts to tickle my senses. And somehow that is the time I completely return back to full alert and a develop the "persistent smile" syndrome. That small 3 second journey thru the rapidly tranforming air from the inside into the warm air of the outside always brings up memories which I wud otherwise have believed forgotten.. And the the "Persistent Smile Syndrome" takes over ... Not only me but many other fellow passengers too!! ... walking out of the airport smiling for no rhyme or reason and turning their heads from one direction to another... and just like theirs, my brains too starts running this ultra-fast algorithm...
Step 1: Pick a face
Step 2: Begin Scan and store in temporary cache
Step 3: Find Match in Database
Step 4: If "Not found" Clear Cache and pick next face. Goto Step 2
Step 5: Found a recognizable face? start GRINNING and MOVE TOWARDS "Known Face"

And then I get greeted with that one nice warm hug that lasts quite a lifetime... And thats when I finally say to myself... "Welcome back to Mumbai!"

"We have started our decent to Mumbai, Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport. We should be arriving at our destination in 20 mins."

This is the announcement that brings me back into half my senses after the long 22 hours journey back to Mumbai. And especially when the journey includes a 2 hour delay in Zurich (free of cost), my state is never receptive to the cute smiles of the beautiful air-hostes on the flight. And in between the quite bustle that spread across the whole plane with people makeing up their hair, rubbing their eyes open, straightening their back-rests and falana falana, I begin the preparation to land by filling up the embarkation form and stretching out my legs. Still in a drudgy state, I drag myself down the corridors to clear my baggage thru customs.

But the last stretch out of the airport is always different... I have never "Remembered" the "Scent" of Mumbai ever.... Infact I dont even know if there IS a "scent of Mumbai" which I should be aware off... but everytime I walk thru that stretch to get out of the airport, I actually can "Recollect" that smell. And as the warm air from outside mixes with the Air Conditioned air being circulated thru the building, it starts to tickle my senses. And somehow that is the time I completely return back to full alert and a develop the "persistent smile" syndrome. That small 3 second journey thru the rapidly tranforming air from the inside into the warm air of the outside always brings up memories which I wud otherwise have believed forgotten.. And I develop this "Persistent Smile" that takes over the sane part of me... Not only me but many other fellow passengers too!! ... walking out of the airport smiling for no rhyme or reason and turning their heads from one direction to another... weird!! And just like theirs, my brains too starts running this ultra-fast algorithm...

Step 1: Pick a face
Step 2: Begin Scan and store in temporary cache
Step 3: Find Match in Database
Step 4: If "Not found" Clear Cache and pick next face. Goto Step 2
Step 5: Found a recognizable face? start GRINNING and MOVE TOWARDS "Known Face"
Step 6: Pump up adrenalin in blood stream
Step 7: Get anxeity levels to all time high
Step 8: Wait for Family Hug
Step 9: RELAAAXXXXXX

And thats when I finally say to myself... "Welcome back to Mumbai!"

Its always a mixed feeling when the packing starts. Small-Little things that has accumulated over the years lie scattered around the room displaced from their designated positions. And suddenly you have to make a choice about what stays and wot leaves. The ones that stay find their way somever inside your suitecase... neatly tucked under some soft clothing protecting it from the fragile jolts it will be subjected to. And the ones that leave? .... The garbage or a dust bin.

And when alls done, u pick up your packed suitcases and walk out of the room. You neatly place it besides the door (or sofa) waiting for your airport pickup to arrive. And whilst waiting, you glance about the room in an attempt to scavenge any last minute memories.

The room looked so filled with life once. And all you see now are naked walls and barren floors. The once hard to find space in the closet is now boasting of as much space as to fit everything in your suitcase back right into it. The bedsheets are tidy and pillows are neatly placed, bathrooms are empty and dry... like it has not been used for ages, kitchen cabinets are clean and except for the remanants of the odours of the last meal... there is no way of saying that people once cooked there.

U have plonked into the sofa(if u still have 1) and wait... there is this eery silence around you. U cannot call anyone coz ur phone is disconnected. All you do is wait.... wait wait and wait....

But on the other side, the waiting is actually over... it IS finally time to go home now :)