Kya kaha aapne?

I dislike early morning flights.

Those who know me are fully aware that I seem to spend half my time on the move, but they also know that I do not like the redeyes. Sure, there was a time when I always took those 7 AM flights, just like there was also a time when I worked on planes.

I guess I am old enough to make my rules. At least some of the time.

What I could not get away from was the early morning flight via Frankfurt to Houston. There was just no other option. This trip involved waking up at 04.30 AM and getting a taxi at 05.30 AM. Why do I need an hour to get ready? It's because I still feel that I have forgotten to take something and so I scurry around my bag worrying about what I have forgotten. I also tend to sleep badly if I know that I have to be up early to catch a plane.

I suppose there are some things that I am just not gonna get used to.

So here I am at Zurich airport at 06.10 and there is just one checkin counter open, even though three of them have warm bodies behind them. I wait patiently. Suddenly I am beckoned to a counter which still has the sign "closed" above it.

I know the drill, as one of my previous blog posts suggested ... but I am in for a surprise.

"Namaste", says Marcelo Alejandro. I come out of my sleepwalk and return the greeting. No big deal, plenty of people know this common Indian greeting.

"Kahan ja rahen hain aap?"

Now I am wide awake. "Houston via Frankfurt", I say, and add "You have been living in Delhi?"

"I have never been to India." I am dumbstruck. "I am part of a cross-culture club and we learn about all different cultures". I am impressed. Not only can he string together a few sentences, he actually understands what I am saying and responds correctly.

"That's a Milgauss", he suddenly says, and I nod affirmatively. This guy knows his stuff. He is also a member of a Rolex club.

"Does it sing to you?"; and then noticing my raised eyebrows goes on to add "Unless a watch sings to you, it's not the right one for you. When you put it on your wrist it should start to communicate with you."

I get it. "Yes, of all the watches I own, this one probably sings to me."

Switching subjects, I have an issue of wanting an aisle seat in the middle section of my long distance flight, whereas the pre-assigned seat is a window seat. "Khidki nahi chahiye?", he asks and I explain that I don't want to climb over anybody and nor do I want to climb over anyone else. He'll fix me up, but only when I get to the gate.

There is a strike in Frankfurt airport and some flights have been cancelled, so he is a bit rushed. "But I will be at the gate, so I will get you the seat you want". True to his word, he is at the gate and gets me my seat.

I am truly impressed. Marcelo has turned a dreary and routine checkin for a sleep walking passenger into a very pleasant experience. He has also shown how a routine job can be made interesting.

I walk to the gate and into the plane with a smile on my face.