CHECKINS WITH IDLIS

Lalita Iyer Musings

I carry a bag and a half when I travel. I carry our famous sweets and savouries, poota rekulu, mini murukulu, sunnu undalu, chakkalu. Need to carry a few numbers because I visit many close relatives and I know they love and appreciate what I take. Sravani sweets shop near my house is well stocked and they are very helpful in the packing, etc. And I would lug them in the hand bag and apart from the weight, things would crush up by the time I reached destination. But, I got smart. 

So I started packing eats in suitcase and they come out looking pretty and whole, while the clothes travel in the handbag. Even if crushed I can get them re-ironed. The point is to checkin both the bags, for who wants to lug stuff when you have to walk a mile or two. Especially in the Hyderabad airport.  

Afterall the Rajeev Gandhi International Airport has become another trendy place to eat and shop. While the walk is long, it is very distractive. I love window shopping so I do that but think twice before having a snack because I am always worried my bread and butter would go waste.  

By the way, I have now decided on this neutral snack. One there is no aroma spreading in the enclosed space of the flight and people are not staring at you. Always with envy. 

The last time I took idlis dipped in molagaipody and sesame oil. I opened the pkt suitably after the flight took off and when the aircraft insipid snacks were being served. I mean, in comparison. And my mouth promptly watered with that gentle aroma of fermentation and spice combination and I of course ate it hungrily. But I also think I got a lot of evil eyes. 

Sometimes you just don't want to walk, though it is early morning and good for the constitution, etc  But I realised there are not too many carts available either. Many of them hanging around are booked or say VIP on them. So GVK has monetized this too. And if you do find a cart, the blighter asks for the Gate number. But once in a while when I have got the cart, I have stepped off because once there was a mother with two kids, one hand held and the other bawling and three hand bags. I mean, wow! How does she travel alone? Must be an NRI, who are constantly telling you that they do it all on their own. Having said that, wish the kids wouldn't bawl. 

We will discuss the NRI syndrome of doing everything on their own at a later date. 

But I digress too much. 

Recently on my travel I had two suitcases and some other small pieces of hand luggage, including my dinner. When I checked both the suitcases, the guy there demurred but I waved in a general direction and said I did not have any hand luggage. He did not double check, took in both the suitcases and I lugged the rest.

Apart from taking this call, this young man was also pleasant. He did not make an issue, just tried once and then let it go and checked me in. Of course I smiled at him and asked about his family and was generally social till he called out 'next passenger'. All with a smile..... 

– Lalita Iyer 

  Senior Journalist