What to Expect When Flying to India

I left Portland around 2:00 on Sunday, November 1st, not knowing what to expect when flying to India. I arrived in New Delhi at about 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the 3rd. I feel like I lost a day of my life somewhere. I suppose I’ll find it on my trip home. 

The Dubai Airport

On my flight to India, I had a short layover in Seattle, where I met up with my coworkers, and then we had another layover in Dubai. Seattle to Dubai took a grueling 15 hours! The Dubai airport is modern and beautiful, with many charming shops selling colorful fabrics, perfumes, jewelry, and ornate statues. I couldn’t resist the urge to start my Christmas shopping. Everything was surprisingly affordable. I bought myself a perfume bottle covered in intricate gold design for only $9.

The Emirates Experience

What interested me most were the people. The Emirates flight attendants are stunningly beautiful in their beige and maroon uniforms. They wear a little pill hat with a white decorative scarf draping from one side to the other. They all wear their hair in a perfectly tight bun. How do they keep the strands from escaping, and why does their bright red lipstick never fade?  They are all so poised and sweet. I suddenly feel like a clumsy American in their presence. Indeed, the Emirates flight attendants reminded me of the “Golden Age” of air travel in the U.S. and the charming old pictures of the beautiful young “stewardesses” in the movie Catch Me If You Can. Flying on Emirates was a joy!

Cultural Observations

I sat beside a sweet old woman on my flight to India who looked very exotic with her colorful attire and dark skin, but I had no idea where she was from. We couldn’t understand each other, and my Hindi translator App was useless. Her smile melted my heart. I guess happiness is a language we all understand. People of all national attire were on the plane, from turbans to Shamis. I have also never seen so many children on a flight. Their patience with their rambunctious little ones impressed me.

Unexpected Amenities

They served curry on the plane and a delicious dessert of cottage cheese and almonds. Alcohol was free. They also gave us FREE headphones, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and free movies. Remember those days? I wonder why other airlines can’t find a way to provide those amenities anymore. 

What’s Next After Landing?

I arrived exhausted and a bit overwhelmed. The next day, I had to give a presentation to about 40 people, including the CEO of one of the largest telecom companies in the world. In the taxi on the way to the hotel, I put my feet up to relieve my kankles because my ankles were so swollen it looked like my calves and ankles were one. They hurt, and so do my dry eyes. The heavy smog that hung in the air in New Delhi hurt my lungs. I took some Airbourne, so I didn’t get sick!  At least the hotel Marriott had excellent accommodations so I could rest well.