There was no time for sleep.
The flight was scheduled for 10 AM. We needed to get started at around 6 to reach in time.
Better wait, than to be late.
Normally, that's no problem. This time it was a small challenge.
The day before was full of meetings with blue collar school officials to push Light on German. That went awesomely well, but it created a tight schedule.
At 7PM I finished and stood before my to do list:
- Tax
- Webpage for the blog
- Pack
- Review the current Light on German prototype
With the help of my brother it was relatively easy to get orientation regarding the tax, but that still took a coupe of hours. At 11 PM I started packing. Not so easy if you have to plan for three different climate zones, a wedding function, etc. That was done at 1 AM. Next the webpage so I could actually start sharing my experiences with you. I pushed until 3 AM, then couldn't continue anymore. One hour of sleep had to be enough, woke up, then finished the webpage last minute. No time for the prototype review. The bell was already ringing, when I jumped into the shower. Briefly said goodbye (too hectically for my preference) to Mom and Dad, went into the car. In flow we were.
To MUC airport
A small break at the comfiest gas station I've ever seen. See for yourself:
Next up check-in.
And how could it be different?
Either I got too many stamps in my passport, or it was the marks on it thanks to the Emirati border controls who probably suspected me to be a drug lord and prayingly finally let me enter their country with looking at each other, saying the telling words: Inch'Allah, after twisting, rotating, massacring my passport, taking me into "special" rooms no normal person would ever see, after meeting half of the airport personel, asking me to unpack everything, asking deep questions, yet obviously not finding anything because I'm probably one of the most peaceful guys they had ever encountered.
But - again - something seemed suspicious for the German check-in crew and they had me follow them to their supervisor, where they looked through my passport.
By now I treat it as special treatment, because it happens to me as regularly as the sun is rising and setting again and again.
Obviously, it was okay.
But from the very first moment in contact with the airport one thing was clear:
Travelling by plane has changed. It got stricter. More questions, more checks, more surveillance.
We went through Munichs new terminal checks and then we were ready to start the 18 hours journey into another home, the tropical jungle of Kerala.
18 hours until reaching Kochi. Qatar Airways would do the rest. Hopefully. After all do we travel pretty much around the fire zone along the Middle East and Iran. But rest assured, all went well, it was super easy, there was no sign of anything abnormal except a one hour extra flight time.
The first flight
Flying over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's desert, the Wadis, dry rivers, again let me be more in awe of Nature. Although I've seen it often enough, every time I see such patterns I'm reminded of a universal law:
Nature is Holographic. The small is in the big, the big is in the small.
Doesn't this look like veins? Or roots? Like a river delta? But that's a desert. Fluid Dynamics in action. Cool, huh?
Anyways, it was really cool to accompany Hari and Lakshmi, for Hari the flight was not so special but for Lakshmi it was only the second time and a very meaningful one since she was travelling for the first time with Hari and the first time since more than a year to return to her origins. The excitement was noticeable and we had a really good time.
Landing in Doha
After landing, we witnessed another highlight. It's not the biggest, but it's definitely one of the prettiest airports we've seen, with waterfalls inside, a tropical forest, a very scenic walking route, some really fancy shops, and so on.
You can smell the forest, relax your eyes, take a stroll, chill in tents they've set up to relax inside the small forest, do well for your insta account etc etc etc. If life on Mars looked like this, there would be worse things. It was a really cool time, and then we reached the gate and it was immediately noticeable that the UAE are Kerala's second home.
So many travellers, all from Kerala.
Hari enjoyed it stating "I really enjoy those moments, it's when you can feel Kerala, the togetherness, the vibes, the culture, without even being there yet."
The second flight
Here, Hari, Lakshmi and I had to split up. It was chill, everyone was tired. Next to me was Abi, who traveled from Kanada and it took more than 30 hours to reunite with family to eventually bring his kids with him to Kanada where they had winter until June, reaching up to -30 degree Celsius. Insane. I still wish him good luck to stomach the climate shock he's gonna face.
I loved the view of my seat (although I slept most of the flight).
All paths lead to the goal.
Reaching Kochi
Everyone was so impatient to finally reach, and I cannot blame them. Most of them don't have much time in the year to reunite with their families, every second counts. So better make use of it.
Here as well there were new check ups, new registration forms, new procedures. Travelling is a serious thing at this point. Others will know everything about you. Everything went smooth here as usual. I collected the next stamp, and onwards we went.
Where Hari arrives already before going to Kerala when being surrounded by his folks, for me one very integral part of the journey is the small cabin at the airport, maybe two square meters, putting ads for "Unlimited calls, easy, fast" - a SIM provider. Good luck though to anyone who's travelling without assistance, things run differently over here.
The moment we left the cool airport, Kerala greeted us with its tropical embrace. Hari and Lakshmi felt the heat, it was just 26 degree Celsius but the humidity made it feel as if it was 30+. I, on the other hand, for the first time I believe, was amazed by the smell. I would have made Aunt Liese proud, and to be fair, she was with me in that moment. She is a special lady, who travels with her nose, more than her eyes. I always thought this was fascinating and it was really cool to join her way of travelling.
Amma and Achan were ready already. Reuniting was a special moment for everyone. We all were really excited.
The car ride was an all sensory experience. The smells, the road bumps, the dark night, illuminated buildings which we know onl from Christmas time when people decorate their houses, the language, the laughter, the Mission Impossible like stunts Achan performed which were most normal here until we reached home:
A quick message to everyone of landing safely.
Gifts were unpacked. Laughter was shared.
My tiredness appeared.
Hari wanted to stay awake, to join the local time zone. I couldn't, after three weeks of 18 hour work days, and full dedication to maximize the value of this trip, I had finally arrived.
And went into the realm of dreams with another one of my dearest persons:
Aunt Lydia, who sent one of her new songs:
I am That I Am. Listen for yourself and let it take you places: https://suno.com/s/mPLXaHHwKBvhu94q
Awesome.
I am guided. With You.
Namaskaram Kerala.
