1/19/2006 Day 1: The Start

I did have a moment of panic before I left my apartment this morning. I was having a helluva time closing my one and only suitcase. I wasn't too concerned because I always manage to get my luggage closed somehow. What had me really sweating was my carry-on. The thing has clasps like a briefcase. It's a great little carry-on. Small but, big enough for a weekend trip. I found myself half dressed sitting on top of it trying to get the clasps closed. I finally managed to shut and lock it with 20 minutes to spare before my car came. I rushed to put my clothes on, shovel food down and then realized I'd forgotten to put some items in my carry-on. No time, I thought. I only had five minutes left. I managed to cram the stuff into my already overstufed camerabag/purse. I am praying that my nice little mini camcorder doesn't take a beating this trip.

I made it to the airport with plenty of time before my flight took off. I considered buying duty free liquor for gifts but, decided not to further challenge my space situation with my carry-on and purse. I'll get it in Amsterdam, I thought to myself.

Our flight was a half an hour late. I boarded and somebody put their carry-on in the overhead bin right above my seat as I approached. I decided to put it across the aisle from me. The gentleman in the aisle seat got up and let me into my window seat. Normally, I prefer the aisle but, on long overnite trips, I like the window so I can lean, sleep and drool without doing it on a stranger's shoulder. The benefits of flying economy. You gotta utilize them.

When I realized there would be no passenger in the middle seat, I wanted to use the space for my carry-on. I was a little nervous of having the thing pop and junk spilling pell mell in the upper storage area. The gentleman sitting in my row offered to get it even though I told him the thing weighed a ton. He brought it down and gave a chuckle as he said, "I don't want to know what is in there!"

I, of course, responded with the appropriate Aisha T. manner, "Oh, you know, it's that dead body I lug around with me."

Maybe since he was Dutch, my sense of humor didn't sink in with him. I sat there chuckling and realized he got very quiet. In fact, he didn't say another word to me for the rest of the flight.

Can I say how much I love Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam? I don't know why. Maybe it's because it's so easy to get around and everyone is really nice. Or maybe it's the clean bathrooms with disinfectant spray in each stall so that one can spray it on toilet paper and wipe down the seat. Yeah, I think that the most attractive thing about Schiphol Airport.

Anytime I have a layover somewhere, I like to roam the airport if I have enough time. So I roamed and hit the meditation center, though I did not meditate. Hey, I know as a yogini this should come as natural as breathing but, meditation is a struggle for me by myself much less with a bunch of strangers around.

I got something to eat, brushed my teeth, freshened up and hit the duty free liquor store. I saw a woman with a nifty back pack at JFK and asked her where she got it. She had purchased Johnny Walker Black at a discount because she got three bottles so there was a backpack that came with the purchase to carry them in. I went to the liquor store and there was the three pack. I only needed two for presents but, it was such a good deal, why not? Until the guy told me India only allows one litre of liquor. I know my mother brought in at least two last time when I was with her. And the woman at the airport had three--she was going to India.

"What's the worst they can do? Take the extra bottles?" I asked.

The salesman replied, "Yes, that's the worst."

Throwing caution to the wind I bought the three pack. Screw it, the Indian's ain't strict when it comes to this liquor stuff. I think. The salesman ripped the card off the pack proclaiming it was three bottles of Johnny Walker Black and told me when I get to India to wear it like a regular backpack when I get off the plane. "Then, they most likely won't question you."

Hmmm....I love the Dutch!

I am feeling a lot of longing though. The layover reminded me of my last trip I took to Amsterdam. I had a one week holiday. This town is great! Would be great if D could come with me. How much he'd like the Dutch lifestyle. The art, food, architecture and history. He'd dig it. Damn, wish he could have come with me for this month!

A last note before we take off. i have never, in my life, heard so many pages for missing passengers. Pages are going off right and left for people that haven't boarded their flight yet. It's being annonced that they are delaying the flight and if they don't come soon, their luggage is going to be taken off. We just got a page on our plane for some dude to show himself. If he delays this thing, I think each passenger should have the right to one thwack on the delinquent's hiny.

*INTERESTING OR UNINTERSTING FACT OR PASSING OBSERVATION OR MAYBE I'M SNIFFING GLUE*
When bringing a gift, I have noticed that foreign whiskey or any alcohol seems to go over extremely well. I quickly unloaded the third 'unneeded' bottle of Johnny Walker Black. The higher the quality, the better. Of course, I don't buy Johnny Walker Blue for my friends in the States so, I wasn't about to splurge on the real, real good stuff. Any Indian man will appreciate such a gift although, in the more rural areas of Kerala (southern state in India) drinking alcohol isn't as acceptable. Men drink--though over indulging is very much frowned upon and it is frowned upon when women drink publicly. Of course, this is just my observation in one area of India. Any city and touristy area are exempt from this observation.