Trip To Remember

It was pre-COVID days, I was scrolling through an Instagram page when I spotted a post claiming INR 30,000 roundtrip tickets to Dubai. While checking on the post, I checked the details and in minutes confirmed the deal. While confirming simultaneously, I asked a friend of mine who was already on Dubai, about the whole deal, and he confirmed the same. I asked another friend of mine to come along but refused. 

Then what, I checked my calendar, applied for leaves and booked tickets, no waiting for permission, no asking around and without much ado booked tickets. It would have been be my first solo trip after 3 years. 

The flight was from New Delhi via Mumbai to Dubai. And there was a layover for couple of hours in Mumbai. On my flight there was this group who were also travelling to Dubai who all booked through travel agent. During my layover I met Aditi, hailing from Delhi but was part of that travel group. She got my attention and started chatting about travel deals and groups. 

We were just chatting and couple of hours later, the flight from Mumbai took off. How the time flew we didn't notice. She was telling about her travel experience to Maldives. She talked so much that after a while I just wanted to put my earphones back and would have completely ignored her. But, didn't do that and continued to listen and dream how that trip would have been if I had gone too. During our small talk, I considered putting my earphones back and completely ignored her. Instead, I decided to listen to her patiently and see where that conversation could have lead.

We exchanged the contact details and to my surprise I also booked the same hotel, where that group was staying (well, that was the only recommended hotel). Not only did we exchange contact information but she also convinced the travel agent that i become the part of the group. It was a 3 day trip. 

After deboarding they went in a bus and my friend who was already in Dubai, came to pick me up along with his wife. That day we roamed around the city, the Dubai Mall and had a perfect Persian dinner. We clicked loads of pictures. And later they dropped me off to my hotel. As I was going up my room, I saw Aditi, returning after having dinner with the group. She stopped mid way and enquired about my time with friends. Later we went to the coffee shop and had coffee till late night and talked about life, her life, my life and what we will do the next two days.

Next day, the travel guy booked a yacht and we all went to see the Persian gulf. Aditi and I clicked few photos and someone else took ours together. Nobody could imagine that we both met during our layover in Mumbai. We were like 2 peas in a pod. Totally inseparable. The day was worth it.

The Dubai trip was a life changing experience, where I met so many people, so many travellers, the locals were such nice people and not in my 3 days stay I ever felt that i was not needed. Got to know few people and forged some great friendships. I will never forget the chirpy Aditi. Wholesome trip it was.