March 16^th, 7.00 pm IST

The bag weighs 22 kg. Or is it 19 kg ? The darn weighing machine is not reliable. How much do I weigh ? 80 Kg ... man, how much have I put on ? I gotta reduce. But thats for later. I gotta reduce the check-in luggage. Let me transfer some into the handbag.

March 16^th, 7:20 pm IST

Good. 19 kg is more like it. Better to be cautious than to remove extra stuff at the check-in counter. Now lets see the handbag. 10 kg ?? I am only allowed 7. Have to pass it off. I am told they dont weigh your hand luggage. I hope it doesnt look too conspicuous. Is the bag looking fatter than it should. Hope not. Lets see at the airport.

March 16^th, 9:50 pm IST

Why arent these guys here yet ? I am gonna be late for my check-in. I should have told them to come at 9 itself. I am going to miss my flight .....

March 16^th, 10:05 pm IST

Thank God. We are finally on our way. I guess I will reach at 11. Perfect 3 hours to go till my flight.

March 16^th, 10:30 pm IST

Damn this traffic. Why did this minister have to come to Mumbai today itself ? This country is never going to improve. One entourage coming from the airport and the whole traffic is held up. I am going to be lateeeeeeeeeeee .....

March 16^th, 10:45 pm IST

Move, move, move .... get out of the way. I have to reach the airport. Take it by this bylane. Dont bother about incoming traffic. Everybodys doing the same. So what if its a no-entry ??? That rickshaw-wala went ahead. Go, go, go ....

March 16^th, 11:20 pm IST

Here I am. Finally at the airport. I gotta go and check-in now. I can already see another MBT-ian very much ahead in the line. Thats such a big line. OK, bye Mom, bye Dad. Bye dost-log. Seeya in 3 months.

March 16^th, 11:50 pm IST

Nothing went wrong at the X-ray. Good I didnt have to open my bag. Why is this line not moving ? I am bored. Hmm ... nice babe. Hope she sits next to me on the flight. No, no ... dont go to Executive class. Damn ... why do I have to go by Economy ?

March 17^th, 12:15 am IST

Instructions on the ticket. Hmm .. interesting. Do not carry sharp items like razors, blades, nail-cutters, scissors in your handbag. Oh no ... my razor is in there. Even a scissors. Why did I put them here ? Lemme transfer it to the bag. I cant open it. This tape is not even budging from its place. If they check my handbag now, I will have to dump them here.

March 17^th, 12:45 am IST

Immigration and customs handled. No problems. Peace at last in the waiting lounge. Now to call up home and tell them that everything went well. Wait, should I call up my girlfriend first ? She should be up waiting for my call. Mom ?? Girlfriend ? I guess Mom first. That call will get over soon. Then I can chat for a long time with girlfriend.

March 17^th, 1:15 am IST

I am gonna miss everybody. I am homesick already.

March 17^th, 1:20 am IST

Cheats, thieves, robbers, swindlers ... 40 bucks for a bottle of mineral water ? But have to take it. Jab jaroorat pade tho gadhe ko bhi ...

March 17^th, 1:45 am IST

Finally ... the call to board. This flight is gonna depart late. Anyway, I hope I get a good seat. Singapore Airlines ... heard the airhostesses are very pretty.

March 17^th, 2:15 am IST

Lousy seat. 10 hours more to go. I am hungry. I hope they serve food soon.

March 17^th, 2:35 am IST

Seatbelts in place. Its moving. I hope I dont get airsick. Chugh chugh chugh .... still chugging its way to the runway.

March 17^th, 2:37 am IST

Full blast ahead, that was some acceleration. And yo ... we are airborne. United Kingdom, here I come.

March 17^th, 3:00 am IST

The airhostess in the adjoining aisle is cute. Lets see who serves me here. Oh yaa, trust my luck. A steward. Thank you. Chicken please. Wine ? No, thanks. I will just have the Pepsi.

Unknown date, unknown time

Drowsy. God knows over which country we are flying. I am sleepy.

ohhhhhh myyyyyy Goddddd .... turrrrbuuuulllleeeennnnncccceeeeee ..... wwwwhhhhyyyy issss iiiitttttt sshhhhhaaaakkkkkiiiinnnngggg soooo muchhhhh ????

March 17^th, 8.00 am GMT

That was an uneventful flight. Smooth landing too. Manchester looks nice. Big airport. They tell me Heathrow is bigger. 4 more hours to go till I reach there.

March 17^th, 8:20 am GMT

Nice airport. Why cant Chhatrapati Shivaji have such plush carpeting ? Conveyor belts ... wow .... I guess this swanky bus is gonna take us from Terminal 3 to 2.

March 17^th, 8:35 am GMT

11 degrees celcius. I am freezinggg .... Brrrrr. And they tell me this is warm. Quick quick .. move on ... get into the bus.

March 17^th, 9.15 am GMT

1 pound 15 pence for a coffee ... 80 rupees ... Barista is cheaper.

Stop converting stop converting .....

March 17^th, 11:55 am GMT

Finally at Heathrow. This is hugeeeeeeeeeee. Waiting for my bag. Theres my friend waiting outside in the Arrivals lounge. Why is he looking funny ? Oh yaa ... now I know .... no moustache.

March 17^th, 12:20 pm GMT

This cab is nice. Vauxhall Vectra. Look at our taxis and look at this. Amazing motorways. Wowwww .... what cars .... London rocks.

March 17^th, 1:30 pm GMT

Cool house. Spring beds. Cozy rooms.

March 17^th, 9:00 pm GMT

I am so sleepy. Its 2:30 am in India. Way past my bedtime. But my friends say not to sleep before 10 else I will be up like a ghost at 3 in the morning. Gotta keep my eyes open, gotta keep my eyes open .... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz