13 May 08 8.40 am
Star bucks - Heathrow airport
As I sit to write i realise what a date ... to reach UK. my first time ever and hoping first time in a series of visits. I am optimist ... always .... I have always read and learnt about England / UK and also wanted to visit for some time now. Planned it in Aug 06 but Malaysia happened instead. Classic case of Man proposes God disposes.
Had a great flight. BA first class is quite good must say. wish i could travel first class always .... ( wishes were horses .....) Landed at 6.20 am and here is my first impression in last 2 hrs and 20 mins.
Like all airports heathrow is impersonal and not so friendly. Its a beautiful english summer day with lots of sunshine. I am looking around to watch english people as I sip my frapuccino - caramel coffee .... reminds me of Surbhi. She loves starbucks coffee... unfortunately not available in India. Surbhi & I have very fond memories of KL and starbucks. Amazing how small things remind you of people and dear ones.
The lady at immigration asked me lots of questions, first time questions : what are here for ? where do you work? designation? where will you stay?
As i think about it , was she profiling me ? maybe i did feel so ... and was thinking why? Maybe because of my family name .. for these people here very muslim .... god knows or the lady at the immigration. I am in and that what matters.
BA staff not very helpful. reminds me a lot of how Air India staff is. Old ladies ... lots of attitude, answering is like doing favour thus not very welcoming and helpful.
must tell you this .... lady at starbucks was taking orders as you queued up and shouting it out to the guy across --- reminded me so much of back home. have we indainised Britain??? too early to answer.
10.30 am
Just saw Amartya Sen . he was walking towards me and the we got to walking alongside. As close as one could get to him without entering his personal space. I wanted to stop him and say hi! it seemed so inadequate . He is a frail old man and was really having trouble pulling his heavy bag.
He was walking so nondescript . like any other traveller and it made me think - if he was in India would he travel like this or if he would have , police escorts , get VIP treatment, privileges at airports and then it occurred to me why should it be so? He may be an Indian but he has made his name here , he lives here, became a celebrity here and then when he is treated normally here why in India do we give him such a huge celebrity status ??? I never for once am saying that we should not admire him, or not celebrate his achievements, all i am saying is lets treat him as an equal. lets respect and not become sycophant. lets not go overboard. Something to thing about , what say.
