Such an amazing liner isn’t it? I fall under the category of 5 million or more people who haven’t traveled abroad in my age group. To fly is a passionate dream that crosses my mind day in and day out. I still remember the childhood days when I jumped around screaming in excitement every time I saw a flight in the clear sky or a train crossing my village river. It was not a dream but a confidence at that time that I will travel to the cities and abroad in that monster vehicle when I grow up.
Every third person that I come across these days heave been abroad at least once and its just makes you feel lil unlucky some times. Especially in my case where I have been so close to be flying abroad and the plans got cancelled, makes it even worse. But now I am completely over that feeling because of a stranger. Its amazing how much life can teach you just by mere co-incidences.
Today I went to the passport office to renew my passport which has not seen the visa stamping for the past 5 years and I am not sure how many more years to come. The guy sitting there was in his mid 30’s. We had a decent conversation and after a few laughs on the passport formalities and rules, He said “I have been in this travel industry for the past 16 years and I have completed 12 years in this passport agency. I don’t have a passport of my own yet and I haven’t boarded even the domestic flights till today”. When I expressed my sympathy, he genuinely said he did not regret or feel sad about it. He is happy with what he has achieved in his job and it won’t make a big difference even if he got a chance to fly.
I was surprised, but convinced with the answer from this stranger. Now I regret a little bit thinking how much time I have wasted just dreaming and forgetting to cherish what I have achieved so far (Which is not big, but still). On my way back from the office I bought tickets for the Aero India 2007 show in black, all for the love of this flying machines.
I guess, it just took 5 long years for me to stop dreaming and start living…
