Ugh! Gross! I thought. The Chennai Airport was rundown and moldy. It smelled of mildew and sweat. Before I get too far into this story, I need to give you an understanding about what I’m doing in Chennai airport. I was going to visit India and my grandparents on summer vacation. The airport was the first thing I saw when I arrived in Chennai, but the trip itself was not disgusting like the . It was amazing! The worst thing about the trip, other than the airport, was that it went by in the blink of an eye. It was exhilarating, fast, and eventful. It was a month and a half, but fast nonetheless. I wish I had more time there, but well, it is how it is. At least I have the many memories that I gathered in India.

I left in June, as soon as my school year ended. I was happy for school to end. Logan Airport was chaotic and crowded. It was clean, however, unlike the Chennai Airport. We had to take a long walk to get to our gate. Before we could get to the gate, however, there was a very tedious security inspection. Then, when we got to the gate, there was an hour wait to get on the plane! The plane rides, there were multiple ones because you cannot get a direct flight, were peaceful save for the PA system going off every hour to update our flight plan, and the safety video, and the takeoff and landing, and well, you get the idea. I watched many movies and TV shows. “Boss Baby”, “Captain America: Civil War”, and so on and so on.

When we had gotten to India, it had been thirty-six hours since we had been on land that was not an airport. It was exhausting. And on top of that, I spent no time sleeping. After the first day in India, I realized how modern my grandfather’s house really was. It had glass stairs, a TV with a pivot on it, so it could be seen at all angles. The AC was not that modern to Americans, but it sure was modern to Indians. He also had staff who were nice, kind, and patient! My cousin, Divya, had a lot of fun with me making slime out of everyday objects and other activities. Before she came though, I spent three days watching a collection of Transformers movies. I went on many trips. I went to Kodaikanal and Kerala. We used a luxury class bus which had a TV, light up cup holders and a huge trunk. We went to beaches, hotels, and relative’s houses. Like my cousin Ananthasai’s grandparents’ house. Ananthasai and his cute three year old brother Ashwathsai were there, too.

I almost forgot! I took a little nap in the seat of the car on the way to my grandparent’s after we landed and had the strangest dream. Our gods were all talking to me, then I saw the “Om” sign and abruptly woke up at my grandfather’s house. Now, although my grandfather’s house was modern, the next few days, we went to many old temples. Some close, some far.  The advantage, even though it was also exhausting, was that I was getting the gods’ approval. I also met the Sastrigal, which means priest in Tamil and Hindi. He gave me his blessings, a packet of sacred powder and sent us on our way. From the way he looked at me with his piercing eyes, I could tell he saw something in me. Perhaps he saw my dream in me.

But of course, good things have to come to an end. It was nearing the day that I had to leave India. I would have to leave all the things behind. My grandfather’s house, the temples, and the memories I made in India. The two plane rides home were the same as the two plane rides getting to India. When I got to Logan Airport, our driver was waiting. We went home and went to sleep. The next day, I started to miss India. I started to have a special place in my heart for it. Even if the shops were dirty and overpriced and that no one could navigate through the scattered mass of bodies, I still loved India. I could not wait until I went back to India next! Eventually I would learn that not only am I going back, but there was going to be a wedding! The gods must want me to have fun! Well, they accomplished their goal! The fun will never end, as long as I’m in Amazing India!