Madarasapattinam To Kansas City

                     Departed from Anna International Terminal, Chennai at 4.00 A.M on Jan. 25,2011 and reached Kansas City at 7.05 P.M, the same day.Had travelled for 26 hrs. taking 3 flights and 2 transits in just 15 hrs. INCREDIBLE BUT TRUE due to the magic of the Greenwich Meridian.The British Airways flight took off from Chennai at 4.00 A.M and the sunrise through the window was a wonderful spectacle,like a strip of glowing red flame.The food served was good and with enough leg space,the journey of 11 hrs. was not so tedious as expected.A tasty Paladai Pradamai,a Kerala delicacy,similar to our Pal Payasam was in the last menu.Before landing in London, the ancient buildings of the city seemed to be familiar due to their frequent pictures in magazines and films.England,whose writers formed a major course of my study in English Literature at all levels happened to be the right transit for me,inadvertently.May be God's plan through the deals in the airfare.

                   Clad in a salwar, and as saree is my dress invariably, pulling my hand luggage, I wish I were a student going for higher studies.Yet the fear of my maiden visit ,abroad and alone was a hitch to enjoy the grandeur of of the London Heathrow airport,one of the busiest airports of the world.To reach the departure lounge to board the next flight to Chicago, despite being in the same terminal, within 2 hrs, was my one and only goal, like that of great target before the eyes of the legendary Arjuna. A mini bus,some escalators and corridors led me ,within 15 mins. to the security check up for the next flight to Chicago.The hurrying up was the outcome of my anxiety, unwarranted ,partly due to the instructions given by the excess love of some of the friends and relatives.

                    The second leg of the journey by the B.A.flight ,again for 8 hrs. and 40mins. from London to Chicago was comfortable.It was fun when I refused to accept the food packet, labelled,Chickpea Curry,the other name for white Channa curry.Towards the end,immigration forms( I 94) and customs forms were given to us to be filled up.The sky scrappers of Chicago extended a warm welcome through the windows

                   Immediately after coming out of the plane, in Terminal 5, the immigration  was over.The last date for my departure was stamped as July 24,exactly six months after my arrival on Jan. 25.Then the baggage claim,customs check up,screening of the baggage,handing of the baggage to be checked in ,by the American Airlines Authority, receiving the boarding pass for the domestic American Airlines flight from Chicago to Kansas city.

              In Chicago, the break was for 3 hours and a train had to be taken for the change over from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 to board the local American Airlines flight to Kansas City. Chicago O'hare  airport looked like a big ocean,multitudes of flights of various airlines landing and taking off every minute,bustling with passengers,airlines staff,office of different airlines ,posh stores,coffee shops etc..After getting down from the train and following the instructions carefully,the sight of the security check up of Concourse G with in 20 mins. gave me a sigh of relief .

               The local flight took nearly 1hr. and 15 mins. to reach Kansas City.The sight of the city,flooded in the glittering yellow lights at night was captivating,recalling the ads. of an Indian bride,adorned with glittering gold and sparkling diamonds.Bigger cities would have looked far more beautiful,may,even evoke no response from the frequent fliers.Yet,the awesome sight made me re quote the great poet Wordsworth,

        " Earth has not anything to show more fair,
          Than the sight of the Kansas City from a flight at night."

                Greeting me with happy faces were my son in law and daughter at the Kan. City airport.Overland Park,one of the largest and calm cities in the state of Kansas , was my destination.This wonderful Kansas state may not be so familiar as California,New York or Texas to the outsiders.Though called by the name,interestingly,only a part of the Kansas City lies in the state of Kansas and the other part of the city including the airport and the commercial establishments ,lies in the neighbouring state of Missouri.Just a 30 mins. drive took me to my daughter's sweet home,ready to receive one of the greatest gifts of God.

               Thanks to that God again for making my journey,hassle free.January 25 2011, the day of my international travel is another memorable day for me along with the birth anniversary of my son.