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…
Raghavendra (Tambi) said,
February 20, 2007 at 9:10 am
Awesome writting…so true n so nice….Even, I realized it very late dude
Siva said,
February 23, 2007 at 10:04 am
Thanks for the comment Thambi. Looking forward to see you next month.
munna said,
February 23, 2007 at 11:55 pm
machan ure a natural writer dude! aero tickets in black!!! nice! remeber that bloody tamil movie tix we bought in black..75 bucks each!! that was a lot of money back then huh! one biriyani and a cutting perhaps?
Siva said,
February 26, 2007 at 8:58 am
I am really touched with that comment Bro. The aero show was one awesome event.Really worth it.
Movie tickets in black,that good old days hhmmm!!! Take a train from tambaram, trip on all the lungi whalas, smoke in front of Satyam, fight with the parking lot guy and watch a tamil movie called RUN for 75 bucks in a couple seater ??? hahahahahaha…. miss those hang out days bugger.
Puls said,
February 28, 2007 at 11:21 am
I’m spying on the MCC boys…you guys really crack me up!!!
m said,
March 1, 2007 at 6:05 am
pulster! how about another entry on your blog!!! im contemplating starting one of my own!! but…
Siva said,
March 5, 2007 at 8:32 am
Nice to see new visitors in my blog and good to know we bring laughter in people’s lives