Picture this – Mihir is going through security, anxiously watching all the camera equipment - his most prized possessions - go through clearance. I am standing at the entrance to the airport, boarding pass ready in hand. Still further is my father, waiting at the Arrival Gate for my uncle to land from Austin, Texas.
Why is this relevant, you ask? Because a week before leaving for Mexico, I decided that it was vital to have the new GoPro HERO4 on our trip. But like most other exciting things, this one was only available in the USA.
Enter, the uncle from Texas, who happened to be flying to Mumbai and offered to bring the GoPro to me. That very same night. A mere hour before Mihir and I are scheduled to take off.
But pretty much anything is possible with a little determination, and a well organized human chain. Right? While I stand at the entrance, anxiously staring down the street, Mihir calls me every few minutes to inform me of his status: security – check, immigration – check, long walk through the terminal – check. He’s almost at the Boarding Gate. Interspersed with these are my father’s frantic calls to report that there is still no sign of my uncle.
By this point, the check-in counter has closed, and the people at the Airport Information Desk have become my new best friends. They know my story, and with one eye on the clock, they’re rooting for me to get my camera in time. Finally, however, one of them comes up to me apologetically - “Ma’am, I think it’s time you catch your flight.”
Heartbroken, I call my father one last time to tell him I was leaving but instead, I catch sight of him racing towards me, breathless but triumphant, GoPro box in hand! Like a seasoned relay runner, he swiftly passed on the baton, and I turned and sprinted.
I ran past a clapping and cheering bunch at the Information Desk, my newly acquired trophy held high and proud. I breezed through security, tripped on the escalator and reached a highly amused Mihir at the Boarding Gate, as the airline made its final boarding call.
And all of this before we even took off for Mexico! As if the tone for an adventure hadn’t been set already, Mihir decided we must watch The Motorcycle Diaries on the flight, followed by beer for breakfast, which is apparently an acceptable meal when in transit. Two flight changes, a newly purchased hard drive and one grueling Immigration interrogation later, we landed in the charming San Luis Potosi.
Mood set, gear in place - We couldn’t wait to begin :)
