And miles to go before I sleep

Le 27 septembre, 2013

The day dawned bright and sunny. Happy smiles adorned the faces of the 30 odd youngsters selected for the “Assistanat” programme. Finally, the months and months of preparation had come to an end. Now all that was left to do was to jump in!

The pilot of the aircraft, our coordinator, and his team from the French Embassy, had some last minute instructions before we took the giant leap. The orientation camp in the country’s capital proved to be of help; even as all of us had been suppressing our restlessness. Evening came, bringing the moment for our final goodbyes. With a lot of enthusiasm, we wished each other farewell, and promised to meet soon, in France! Yes, we were dizzy with excitement. The word had not left our lips for a blink of an eye since the time we had got selected.  We were going to France to be English language assistants in various schools.  Going to the country whose language we had learnt and loved dearly.

At the Delhi International Airport, I said goodbye to my parents, with bearhugs and the shedding of some tears (from Mom). “Go live your life!” were her parting words before I left. For which I was really grateful. I fully understood that it would be lonely at home, what with my brother in London, and me in France. But wasn’t this the right age to step out? Let go of our mother’s apron strings?

With that thought spelling independence and freedom, I set out.

 

Le 28 septembre, 2013

My heart surged as the plane shuddered, announcing our arrival in Strasbourg, France. The day had been unavoidably adventurous. I had been compelled to muster all of my courage to maintain my “sang froid”.  At the Schiphol airport of Amsterdam, I had but half an hour to check in and get a print out of my boarding pass. I was running as soon as my feet touched the ground. I skidded to a halt at the first machine that printed boarding passes. And of course, it was out of order. Temperature soaring high, I asked for assistance and the lady suggested another machine that was at the other end of the airport! Since I had managed to see the gate number for my next flight, amidst my stupor in the flight from New Delhi, I knew she was right.

Once again, I was running; this time with my shoelaces untied and with no time to stop. It is rather strange that when one finds himself in a hurry the rest of the world seems to be aping snails. Addled with ease, they amble like they are in the Louvre, wanting to discern every painting; hence, making it spicier a commute for poor souls like me. I finally reached the immigration desk, and alas! As fate would have it, there was a queue. I asked for the priority queue, for I had to be on time, but the airport officials shook their heads. I shook mine too, and swore silently under my breath, in the sheer despondency of the situation.  I had no clue when I would check in, and further, how I would get hold of that devil of a boarding pass. Would I be too late for my flight? Would they just fly without me? After all, they wouldn’t wait for one measly passenger. But I had no time to get possessed by thoughts, of any kind. I just had to move, move, MOVE! I brushed past hordes of people, who shot me bemused looks. Once I had been declared as to the non-possession of bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, I made my way to a series of ATM like machines that printed boarding passes. A KLM attendant stood besides one like a beacon of hope. I almost snatched that little piece of paper from her and made my way to the gate finally; with 10 kilograms of baggage to lift my spirits.

I hopped on to the mini airplane to Strasbourg. Once there, tiredness combined with the apprehension of a further train journey, affected the grin forming on my face.  Navigating my way to the Strasbourg railway station was another circus altogether. The information desk opened my eyes to a different kind of reality – my train left not from the airport station called Entzheim, (as I had imagined all along) but from the station in the city. I thought that perhaps the onslaught of French had befuddled me, so I asked again. But reality persisted. My stomach did a flip. A 360˚ flip.

But I saved my hopes from being castrated by getting into action. I hauled my bags up an escalator and down another for the shuttle, but my on inserting my visa card, the machine read “carte muette”. Another blow. I gave up on the cheapest mode of transport and in a huff, got into a taxi. 29.30 € is the price one pays for some peace of mind occasionally, I assured myself.

From the central Strasbourg station, fortunately so, things went smoothly. After a pit stop for coffee and an excessively sweet doughnut, I was on my way to the platform. The uncoordinated numbers on the train and the display screen had confused me once, so I asked a couple there, if it was the correct train. Their “Oui” calmed me down from head to toe. I changed trains at Metz and hopped into the only one that went to Verdun. My destination was a stone’s throw away.

After an hour, through the huge windows, a brightly lit up petite ville welcomed me. I waved wildly at the smiling figures of Karine and her family. Jumping out, I ran straight into her outstretched arms.

Though I had landed a good 12 hours back, it was only now that I experienced the exultation.A happy uproar in my mind.