Recently, I had the privilege to
travel to India for a short visit. I happened to notice three couples traveling
back to India in the same flight as mine. Instantly they became “aunties" and "uncles”
for me; I bet no Indian reading this will find anything odd in this
instant relationship! After exchanging initial hellos and confirming that our
final destination was the same, we didn’t need to spell it out that we would stick with each other at Heathrow for the long layover.
At Heathrow, we took turns watching
each other’s luggage as we used the restroom, and all those warnings like “Beware of strangers at the airport and never leave your luggage with anyone unfamiliar”
didn’t seem to apply to us. As we completed our security check and arrived at
the terminal, I suggested we get connected to the WiFi and inform our families that
we had landed safely in London. While having a video call with my kids and
husband, the rest of my clan took turns greeting my family as well! The need for
privacy during the call didn’t seem, again, to apply here at all. As soon as
our phone calls were done, I was given orders... er, a suggestion to brush my
teeth before doing anything else! Of course, I had to oblige. As I fumbled
through my purse and got my toothpaste out, one of the aunties decided it was a
common property— why waste time searching for her own toothpaste, she seemed to think, when mine was
already out!
Now, we had another six
hours to kill during the layover, and some of us decided to take a stroll around the airport. So we
ventured out in all the prestigious stores with well-known brands. After a while,
I got thirsty and decided to buy a water bottle. But when I mentioned to
purchase the water bottle; that thought got immediately thrown out of the
window. “Why do you need to purchase the water? Don’t waste your money. I’ve
saved the water bottle that I got on the plane; let’s fill it at the water
fountain that I noticed a while back and we can share.” True Indians often know how to
re-use everything and where to save money. We don’t believe in “wastage” of
money for such essentials like water.
As we were walking, we found the
lounge where the other two couples had been seated for the special assistance.
Although such lounges are meant only for people who actually need special assistance, we
didn’t think twice before entering or spending rest of our time together with
them there. I had bought a book at the airport, partially to kill time in the layover and mostly
because I do not get enough time for reading in my busy life back home. So I dared to
get that book out and read! After being away from India for so many years; I
had almost forgotten that such gesture could be considered rude in the presence
of friendly company. As soon as I got my book out; one of the aunties started
the questionnaire. Usually when we meet strangers and make an attempt to talk,
non-Indians usually talk about work, or the weather, or sports and safe political affairs— and always global, never about your own country. This is because the norm is to
respect each other's private space and political views. Ah, but not for us
Indians!
Our conversation started with the topic of my family history, why I was traveling to India, how long I would be there, what caste I belonged to (no offense
meant and none taken!), and, learning that I was a Brahmin, was I still a vegetarian or had I already compromised our religion? And so on. When I mentioned I was visiting
India for my niece’s wedding, the conversational track was changed to her details. What did
you gift her? Is it a love marriage and if so is she marrying a Brahmin too?
What are her plans for her education, the future, and so on. By that time I realized even I myself hadn’t given
much thought about my family’s details in a long time! Once my enquiry was
over, they started sharing their details: how long they had been in the USA, how they
were proud of their children and grand-children, how they felt lonely back in
India, yet can’t spend longer time in the USA because they feel lonely there too.
As we were exchanging this oh-so-very-general (!) chit-chat, the uncles decided to
take a stroll around the airport. We continued on other topics like the culture in India
versus the USA, the food choices available in the USA, what all they prepared for their kids
(all adults at this time) before leaving for work. Yes, however odd it may seem, almost all
Indian parents cook so much food and freeze it for their kids (?) before they
leave for India as if they are leaving them in a famine. And we “kids” as
well feel it as a necessity and cherish such frozen food for weeks, reliving the “man
ke haath ka khana…”
With all that discussion about
food, my tummy started rumbling and I suggested that we get some coffee
and something to eat. They were astonished to know that I didn’t carry anything
to eat with me! And I found myself giving an explanation with guilt (?) that I
had worked full day before starting my travel and immediately gained the
sympathy! As I was looking for something to eat, all Aunties forbid me to purchase
anything there; “Why are you purchasing something to eat? We have 'theplas' and
you should eat 'ghar ka khana'.” I happily obliged and decided to at least get coffee
for them; which of course they resisted for some time. We went through usual
social formality of “are nahi nahi, eski kya jarurat thi…” With no surprise,
they ordered one coffee that would be shared between two of them. Indians from
that generation always master in ways to save. If you buy two small coffees versus one large and share between two, then the later option can save you a few cents! So
although I was the one who was paying, they had had that calculation in mind
as they said “Tu to hamari beti hai, tera paisa bhi bachna chahiye na!” As we
settled back in the lounge and I gobbled theplas from different families, the uncles as well returned back. To accompany the coffee, various kinds of biscuits were offered:- Parle-G, Monaco, Marie. For Indians, Ritz can never come
close to Monaco and Marie is the healthiest biscuit which can safely consumed
by diabetic people as well! Why? Do not ask! Even though Marie is made with
processed flour (maida) and does have sugar, for generations it has been passed
as the biscuit safe for the sick or elderly.
Meanwhile one of the uncles had
completed the market survey. He shared what the prices were in the UK, USA, or India and
what items should be bought in which country in order to get the better deal. I
even got the (un-asked-for) advice on what I should buy for my family in the USA on
my next India visit and which store had good deals that I should look for during Thanksgiving! Only a person who has worked hard throughout his life and spent
every penny carefully can be so thorough in such a short amount of time!
While sharing our family details,
personal items, and food and lifting senior citizens’ bags on and off the conveyor
belts, nowhere did I think of those horrific stories that often get passed on
social media warning to not trust strangers; I simply didn’t need to. Sharing
each other’s things, enquiring about personal details, standing so close that you
touch each other no matter if you are standing in the crowded Mumbai local
train or spacious international airport, getting up and start pushing to get
out as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off, looking out for each other— yes, I
was on my blissful journey back home. Before even entering India, I was showered with love and warmth from my
fellow travelers who were neither Maharashtrian nor Gujrathi nor Bihari, but just
Indians, true Indians!
