A family of four, Telugus (I can recognize the language). They have two daughters. The father is diligently buying sandwiches and milk shakes. The younger daughter is in tears; she is trying very hard to hold them back but it brings them on even faster. Mom is speaking in a low tone but her voice has an unmistakable warning tone to it. She speaks in English and Telugu and apparently the girl wanted a different flavor in milkshake which wasn’t available. The mom is livid. She threatens her to behave herself. The father hangs around helplessly while the elder daughter is busy with her tablet.
I smiled to myself!
The food cart is being pushed along. Some passengers are looking bored; some are asleep; yet others are reading or listening to music. As always there are two ladies in uniforms doing this mundane task. They are dressed identically with their hair pulled back sternly. They seem to be wearing the same loud shade of lipstick with blotches of blusher on their cheeks. Clearly the difference in day and night makeup hasn’t crossed their mind. They normally have a fake smile pasted on their face which turns on and off faster than your old faithful tube light. But this one time, there is an enthu cutlet. She smiles. She talks to everyone. She runs around ensuring that each one’s smallest requests are met. She scampers if that is possible in that restricted space. And she even thanks you for tendering exact change. She was such a warm presence that it was delightful seeing her. I wonder what made her enjoy something which others like her take on as a chore. Did she also realize how many hearts she warmed by her smiling countenance?
I smiled to myself!
Waiting outside the trial rooms in an upscale mall for my niece to try on some clothes, chatting with my sister. An adjacent triall room has a lady inside it. A smartly dressed teenage girl hangs outside, supplying clothes for the person inside to try out. She is talking very softly for a teenager. After about 10 minutes, another older teenager again smartly dressed comes and joins this younger girl. They animatedly discuss something. The door opens a crack and both of them go inside. There is some conversation happening there. Suddenly a nattily dressed, pretty looking middle-aged woman storms out. Her parting words, “I will never forgive the two of you!” She is hastily followed by two pleading teenagers. Okay, Ekta Kapoor must be deriving her inspiration from real-life situations. A minute or two later, the younger teen is back in panic. An expensive cellphone had been left behind. She retrieves it and rushes out looking very somber.
I smiled to myself!
These two handsome men in uniform. I was always a sucker for crew cuts and military fatigues. They chat politely while filling their bottle at the water fountain. I await my turn. One of them turns to me and offers me his bottle to drink. I smile back and say, “No thanks!” I await my turn. When they finish, they even show me how to operate the water fountain. Rather silly yet cute!
I smiled to myself!
A couple traveling with two kids. One toddler seated on his mother’s lap and another son seated in the window seat. This toddler out of sheer boredom of being confined to the seat started wailing. Mom and dad tried to distract with a lollipop and a toy. He was distracted for a few minutes but then again was back to his wailing. I was watching him and all this drama unfold. I have been in this situation multiple times and knew exactly what they were going through. I looked at the toddler who was looking in my direction. I gave him a big smile. He stopped dead in his tracks. I could see him wondering who I was and what business I had smiling at him. Then like kids are wont to do, he started studying my face. Kept him quiet for a few minutes before he diverted his attention and began wailing again. His mom then put him in the aisle and got ready to run after him as he ran back and forth, gurgling and screaming, amusing some and annoying other passengers. Phew, I thanked myself for having outgrown that phase with my kids.
I smiled to myself!
Traveling solo is such fun. I actually get to observe people and life as it unfolds around me.
Do you enjoy traveling alone and watching people?
Pic courtesy: Freedigitalphotos.net
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