A Lost Sheep In London | Harison Xavier

The following is a note on all the blunders I did while traveling to the UK.

I don't know where to start or begin. We were planning to travel from my home to Bangalore (India) in our car, our election was on 8th April. Till then nobody cared about Covid, no social distancing or any restrictions, there were mass rallies and all media channels were focused on the election and mass rallies after the 8th every channel started reporting on covid as if they don't know why. Everyone started reporting a spike in cases and acted like nobody knew how it happened. I knew this will happen 2 weeks ago, as days got near I was getting tensed, on the 10th morning, the news came out to report a curfew in Bangalore from 8 pm to 6 am, haha life just brought a twist to my plans. Immediately we all got ready to go. We were planning to go a little later, but it was immediate due to changing circumstances. My uncle drove the car as fast as possible, we left our home at 11:00 am and reached Bangalore at 7:00 pm, we were trapped in the traffic for another 3 hours. We were all exhausted and drained, there was a family problem, that is running in between this that made me very upset. We booked a room nearby the airport. We had our dinner, it was tough for me due to the family issue. I went to sleep at 11 or 12. I couldn't sleep, I woke up every 15 mins and checked the time, I was so upset about the issue we are facing in the family. I woke up at 3:30 am and woke my uncle and my dad and traveled to the airport. I didn't want to say anything. I just shook hands and said goodbye. ( We are not a hugging family). Handshake is a big thing for us. I think it is just in my family. We don't hug, it is just weird or awkward because we never did it when we were kids. When we were young, dad didn't know how to show love and mom showed her love by sacrificing her life in the kitchen for me, my brother, and my sister. Some families cry at the airport when they say goodbye, they hug, kiss but couples don't normally hug or kiss (even if they are married) because it is inappropriate ( I am laughing as I write this - I know this is stupid, but the elder generations think that public show of affection is not good behavior - even if they are married ).

Something poked inside me, pain or a burn inside my chest. This is it and I started walking towards the entrance gate.

Showed my documents at the gate and went to British Airways (BA)counter. Everything was good there, and I requested that they send my luggage directly to Newcastle. They refused. Next to the immigration check, - the typical passenger, I was stressed. I saw a family with a baby crying at the immigration, I don't know what happened, they were holding the baby and arguing with the officers there. Just imagine all that sacrifice and you reached the gate of immigration and they called you back for some reason and you can't go.... wow. That was the scariest part.

long queues and waiting patiently and very nervous here and praying to God.

I was playing "Time - Hans Zimmer " in my brain, I was tensed all the time, anything could happen, there is always that if or a blindside or an important thing that I didn't notice. It is a life-changing moment at the immigration gate. Nobody in my close family has ever traveled abroad. After immigration check, the security. I am glad I made it when I was on the flight. We had a different test before entering the flight. To check if our handbags contain any covid virus.

The song is still playing in my brain.

Finally, that was all okay and I sent in, security checkup again, and finally near to the gate and "there is a pretty girl" (The BA flight). It is so beautiful. Never saw an airline this big. Waited for 2 hours, found out that I miss placed my water bottle and my UK sim card at the security check. Now both are lost. Still tense but glad that I have reached here.

Trying hard to relax- another check-up before boarding the flight to see if we are carrying any covid strains. Got pass. Finally entering the flight. Two "Male" flight attendants at the door, NO! I am sad, this flight is going to feel like 5 years in a room. I was hoping to see female flight attendants. (I'm not sexist, just naughty XD XD). I heard that long-haul flights like this will have very experienced flight attendants who are in their 40s or 50s. These guys gave me hand sanitizer and guided me to my seat. Wow. there are female flight attendants on board. Thank you, God! They are all so beautiful. Also very tall, must be an average height in Europe but very tall compared to Indians. They have very beautiful eyes. I am very shy to look now. I wonder what their names are, I wish I could say hi to them, I can't see their full face as we are all covered up with masks and face shields. Anyway, I am happy that I could see their eyes, they have a green, blue color eye, I think they are very common in Europe. Since I am on the plane now, I am less worried, I can't do anything to solve the problems back home. Besides me sat 2 Indian moms who don't speak English they are on their way to Manchester to see and take care of their daughter who is pregnant. They are worried too as they have to get a connecting flight to Manchester. They spoke in the Tamil language to me and I could speak that so they were relaxed about it and they shared the stories of their childhood, how they were not allowed to go to school or learn. The flight took off, everything is set and kids screaming everywhere, (I think it is due to the pressure difference while taking off? )The flight was long ten hours. After 2 hours on the flight, I felt a headache, the engine sound, and maybe the altitude. I tried sleeping now as I am relaxed I was able to get a few hours of sleep. They served Indian food. ( I was expecting some English breakfast ) long flight travels are tough, but the scene from above is beautiful.
There were free movies, loved watching them all but due to my headache, I cut short everything.

Finally, a long 10 hours, was able to sleep for 2 hours, the rest of them me suffering from a headache. (I was worried if it was a covid symptom ), reached London, followed a guy who spoke the same language as mine and showed me to baggage reclaim area, he was surprised to know that I have to wait for another 16 hrs for my next flight. He helped me with the guidelines on what to say when they ask questions at the immigration. It was very confusing. I didn't know where to go after getting my baggage. However, the guy I met on the plane found me again and guided me to the 5th floor where the departure gates are. That was weird, I didn't expect it to be on the 5th floor. Finally, I started waiting for my long wait. I exchanged money for pounds, they killed me. It was a very expensive, cut-throat price at the airport. I heard that it was expensive didn't think that it was this high. 1 pound cost me 130 rupees. The actual pound to rupees is 1 pound is 102 Rupees. (Later I tried outside the airport too, but the e price was high there too) I am very sad, exhausted, and my phone is not working, wifi is not getting connected, I have to book my extra baggage else I will be charged 7500 at the counter, my UK sim card got lost, and I started searching for it. I search the full three bags three to four times and finally came to an agreement to the fact that "Yes, it is lost and I can't do anything about it." Kept waiting. I brought a book with me to read instead of wasting time but I can't call home and I lost money and the lost SIM card bothered me so much I couldn't read a thing. After 5 hours at the airport, I am still bothered about how the currency exchange ripped me out. They could have just killed me :) 6 hours at the airport, I got an idea, a man is sitting next to me, I can ask for his help to share his wifi. So that I can call home. So I did he refused, came up with few excuses. Me again trying everything possible to make my phone get connected to wifi. It is actually good, this kills the time. I have something to do. If I didn't have anything to do or nothing bothered me, I would be very bored. Finally 8 hours at the airport, my phone got connected to the wifi, I started messaging everyone in the family and I was so happy, the family was glad that I was able to connect and call them. Finally, I can relax a bit, I have packed a few biscuits to eat while I wait. Now, I must book my extra baggage but there is no option to book the extra baggage the option is disabled the only option is to upgrade my ticket to business class. Sad again. I just wanted to reach Newcastle, please don't rip me anymore. Wait a minute..... I can get a business class for an extra 49 pounds, hmmm... and the baggage allowance is 32+32 aha.... now that is a deal, I talked to a BA attendant at the counter and made sure that it is true. Booked it immediately. Got a business class seat, they invited me to go sit at the business class lounge, ok....., free wifi, cozy sofa, and table ok.... free food??? really? I can't believe it, all I have to do is order online and they will service it at my table. mmmmm really is it true...?

I waited for someone else to order, the people in the business class are really posh and they can see me that I am lost sheep. I am new to this. I have not even dressed like them. Ok the man opposite me has ordered something and he is using a spoon, knife, and fork to eat, okay..... I will try to do the same. He finished his meal and they came and cleaned it up, no bills, no payments. So is this free? Okay, I will try something. I will buy orange juice, I love orange juice. I booked one. In 2mins it was on my table, they didn't ask for a payment. Alright, let me take the first sip. OHHHH nooooo... there is no sugar ..... is this how humans here drink orange juice? There is no sugar around.... now I have to drink this? I paid a very large sum for the London - Newcastle flight... let me at least enjoy a good meal. I really wanted to try the full English breakfast, I really love it - (I have only seen it on Youtube, it looks delicious ) I wanted to try. But then thought, what if they charge you later? They have my card information.. oh no.... should I leave this place? It is already very expensive. You know what? Let me just do it, I spend this much already and I have a long way to go, and most importantly I am hungry. But the problem is this dish is very large, and I don't know to use a knife and fork.... Why do people need to use these weapons to just eat, use a spoon! Simple! Life is easy! Why should we make it so complicated with a knife and fork? I know all these are etiquette, but why should it be so difficult? Alright..alright.... let's get down to order some food. I will just be humble and order porridge. I can't ask any people around me, they all look very serious and angry. They all have a vibe around them that says "Don't disturb me!" ( Wow, I must talk about the people here too. ) Now I will need a coffee, just a simple coffee, I checked the list there are things that are not coffee. All I want is a coffee, why should we make it complicated? The list goes- Latte, Cappuccino, americano, espresso, and another foreign language, another foreign language, another foreign language ... O GOD... why is this so difficult? I don't know any of these things. I can goggle it but it can't tell me how it tastes like. Okay...I have to pick..... Espresso.... hmmm that looks expressive...... let's give it a try..... ordered it , it came in a tiny cup and no milk.... that's sad, So expresso is black coffee in India... okay got it..... I was hoping for a mug...OHHHH nooooo.... not again..... NO Sugar..... it tastes yack...... how could humans drink it? They have sugar in small paper packets, alright, I added two... it is still sour taste :| Things just don't go right. Next time I must bring someone with experience with me. Now let me go to the toilet and get fresh. Wow, now that is something. The business class toilet is something of an architectural marvel. Big space, lot toiletries like gel, shampoo, handwash gels, etc, the design of it, lightings - Marvelous. Now I press flush... BOOM!!!! and a loud scream from the toilet. What the hell was that......? O my God.... oh it is that vacuum flush ... I thought they have it only on planes. I was caught off guard. Have to say goodbye to the lounge and board the plane which is in the other corner, enjoyed the hospitality. The business class in this plane is not much different from the economy, just extra legroom, and breakfast. The People: They can simply break my neck with two fingers. They are all big (muscular), tall, and scary. I wonder what they eat. They all look very serious, and our doing an important job and will hurt you if you go near them. Some do look at me as if I am not welcome. Kind of scary or it's just their face looks that way. People hug - that's something I see very common here, people hug each other, we are not used to that, when at the airport I saw a couple hugging each other and the guy kissed the girl on the forehead, I got very shy and looked away. By the way, the girls look beautiful here - now I know how they got the inspiration to make barbie dolls.

After a lot of other difficulties, I reached my room in Sunderland and stayed inside for quarantine, I love being in quarantine, you don't have to go out, nobody is going to talk to you. Just me having some valuable me time. I don't feel like going out much. It is cold but not so cold I love the weather now. 2 C to 10 C temperature is beautiful. The place looks like some fairytale, old buildings with great architecture. No many vehicles and no traffic blocks. No air pollution.

Looking back everything looks like a dream, I can't believe that I am still here, I feel like I am asleep, I keep on asking myself am I really here?