This time my return journey turned out to be a little different though.
It all started off with a regular flight from Goa to Mumbai and an eleven-hour layover till the next flight. Everything normal so far, however, a couple of days ago a massive storm had paralysed the day-to-day life in Dubai, inclusive business at the airport.
In spite of all the stories about the chaos with Emirates I was hopeful till… I joined the queue for checking in for my flight to Dubai.
All passengers with connecting flights from Dubai were refused on this flight so I, amongst hundreds of others were stuck in Mumbai.
It was an absolute chaos; nobody knew how things were going to proceed and I had no clue when I would be able to go home…
The situation was a complete disaster, nobody knew what was going on (as this situation had started 4 days ago one would have thought there would be some kind of contingency plan but no)
The airport staff was absolutely useless (friendly but useless) and when I finally had the chance to speak to an Emirates representative, I was told there were no flights available to Dubai until the 25th of April but then I would still have to arrange the flight to Dusseldorf.
Rebooking should be done by phone of the Emirates help desk which at that moment was impossible due to the large queue of people trying to reschedule flights.
The only way was to find a flight with another airline… Middle East Airlines were a no go as they are facing similar issues as emirates. So I tried to find flights to wherever, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt.
Finally, I booked a one-way ticket through Swiss Air that cost me more than double than the initial Emirates return ticket. But that is only money…
The next evening, I would first fly to Bangalore in South India and then connect on a Lufthansa flight to München to continue on to Düsseldorf where I will arrive Monday afternoon. So far that was settled.
Next was a hotel for the next two nights but again I banged my head against the wall of incompetence and complete chaos.
Finally, at 4:00 in the morning I was granted a stay and transfer to an airport hotel (which I must say was very nice) for one night.
After 3 1/2 hours of sleep, I woke up again and went to the reception to extend my stay. Once again it was impossible to get approval from emirates. Two hours later I returned and was told not to worry, enjoy my stay and sleep. I did not have to check out at 12:00 and their manager would arrange everything with emirates
I thought my return journey in 2020 during the COVID pandemic was terrible but this is so much worse. Without doubt my worst experience so far! My trust in Emirates had gone, their communication in this case was abysmal. I will try to get my new ticket refunded once home but wasn’t not holding my breath.
Main thing was…. I was going home!!!!!
In the evening, I found myself sitting at the rooftop bar of my five-star hotel, looking out over the slums next to the airport where a ceremony was going on and fireworks filled the sky. Only in India….
I felt so much more relaxed than the day before knowing I would go home the next evening (even though it’s a horrendous 18-hour journey via the south of India, on to Munich and then connecting to Düsseldorf). Guess I am one of the lucky ones escaping the current chaos with Emirates…
Next evening, after a long day of doing nothing, I was brought to the airport, checked in and got my three Boarding Passes. First flight to Bangalore (South India), Then connecting to München and finally Dusseldorf. It was a bit of a detour but who cares, the next day at 11:40 I will land in Dusseldorf. So, so happy and relieved, met other passengers who were way worse off and could not continue their journey till May the 3rd!
I cannot remember a moment I was happier to be in Germany than the moment I landed in München. The 9-hour flight started horrible, being cramped in a middle seat and having to “fight” for every single bit of space, and yes there was the crying baby in the seat behind me.
It didn’t matter, I was on my way home, I was on my way to the one man that matters more than anything else in the world.
Three hours into the flight I couldn’t stand sitting in my cramped space anymore and moved to the pantry to stretch my legs. I spent some hours with the staff which I recall as the nicest time of my flight. By the time I returned to my seat breakfast was served and we started our descent into Munich.
Next was my third and final flight to Düsseldorf. The end to this nightmare and to be honest I got out of it easily, an expensive but easy escape! So happy to be home!
Epilogue
There is a world in our world and her name is India… Being there I could feel the prana (vital life energy) flow, being there I truly felt alive. Chaos, enchanting, overwhelming, vibrant, food for the soul.
I experienced so much diversity in the timespan of 9 weeks, it is almost impossible to comprehend. It will take another couple of weeks (if not months) to let things slowly sink in and for sure many memories will revive whilst I am editing my photos.
Another thing I realised is that after my return I have spent over one year in India, divided over 9 trips. Loving India was a process with hurdles, just like everyday life in India. It has not always been an easy experience but once I opened up for it I have enclosed this fascinating country in my heart.
What a journey it has been!!! So many places, so many experiences, so many encounters with wonderful people. No pen or picture can describe the feelings I had or the thoughts that went through my head.
I have not even started my discovery of India, there are more places that I haven’t visited instead of seen. India seems to be an eternal source of adventures, experiences, impressions and life lessons. Once you’ve embraced it there is no turning round.
India, Danyevad, I will be back!
P.S.
Fair is fair… After a complaint mail to emirates they refunded me the full price for my alternative ticket home. A true example of customer care. I will fly with them again!