Timeout @ Pothys.

One lazy afternoon I decided to spend my time at a designers boutique. Well, then I just happen to see this huge building next to Vani Mahal, and was told it is an extension of the Pothys Chennai. Havent done much shopping in that shop, mainly because of the humongous crowd that will be jostling even late in the night. I was curious to have a look at this not so congested showroom. It was a 6 or 7 storied building each floor exclusively dedicated to specific product. I frisked thru the ground floor, designers' collection of synthetic/semi silks sarees..Oh Boy!!!..they have such a varieties, from places of India which you may find  hard to locate in the map!!..and the price is such a surprise.The sales person in each counter was so polite and attentive, you feel bad if you dont make a purchase..when I declared I was visiting the shop for the first time and was keen in just taking a look at the stuff, they were too eager to show me around the place explaining in detail about the products exhibited. I was thoroughly embarrassed to go without making a purchase.. Then I decided to try some ready made suits. Gosh..it was more tough choosing one. Right from as low as Rs. 500/700 up to a few thousands , it was an ocean. Cotton/silk/silkcotton/chiffon/Georgette..long/short/..name it..they have it. Then I slowly climbed down to the first floor where another ocean of un-stitched material was spread. The girls here were more sweet and took me around explaining about each display. The mix & match piece, a pair of tops with single pant and dupatta, for such a price, sounded very attractive. The semi crepe sets were very practical in a price range you can only imagine in the small shops!!!. The visit was such a pleasant one, and I ended up buying a few sets. Kudos to the staffs who made it possible. I didnt have much time left after this, so I have to give a miss on the pure silks section. Will make it some day, later.

In pursuit of Gate B22

The touch down by LH 423  @ Frankfurt airport in the early morning of a cold Saturday was fairly smooth and I felt quite refreshed inspite of being awake throughout the flight time. As I collected my things and got ready to get down, I chked my boarding pass of my next flight and was delighted to see the gate number printed in it. Generally, I wait for 4 hrs to know the terminal/ gate number. Peace. Now all I have to do is to proceed towards gate B22. Easy peasy..la la la.I started walking briskly along with fellow passengers. After walking a 1/4 mile or so, the arrow mark showed a right turn. Good, I walked and walked and walked!!!..another 1/4 mile done. Now the pace a bit reduced, I looked up for the elusive B gate. The arrow pointed straight. Continued walking and came to the moving belt. After moving for a good 5 minutes in two lengths I proceeded with confidence, hoping to find the immigration lounge for B gates. No. Its just not there, and I was asked to proceed further, now slightly less than a 1/4 mile, the arrow now pointed upwards for a change. Took the escalator and without much emotion, I looked at the long fairly empty airport hallway/corridor whatever it is called. As I walked further, a group of Japanese tourists entered from a side gate and suddenly the corridors were lively and I felt better. All only for a short while for when they reached the gate Z they abruptly stopped and entered the lounge there. Pheww..without losing heart I walked as if my only goal in life that morning is to walk and find a gate which is just not seem to be there. I noticed I was walking alone now. I was slightly disturbed by the silence and the dark sky outside the glass. It has been a solid 25 minutes walk now. I got sudden doubt if I was proceeding in the correct direction. And I wondered what if I had to retrace the whole route. When paranoid the brain behaves stupidly I guess. 

I halted for a moment and looked around for an airport staff. Yes there was a girl sitting on a high stool, half asleep with a monitor in front. I tapped on the desk and showed my boarding pass, and asked 'B gate, is this the way??..'Yes pruceed this way' she waved her hand straight..ahh..I did 'pruceed' only to find another escalator, but this time to descend. There there..I was kinda getting anxious now. When I hopefully got in to the lounge, wait..it was a train terminal..Oh God. Got to take a transit train. All this journey to get in to this train!!!!..well, no worries as long as I get to the B gate. 5 minutes later I was again ascending and following arrow. B1-19. What??..where is the rest??.. I walked further, the hallway/corridor turned 90 degrees and I walked walked..hey presto..there it was. The immigration lounge. There wasnt much people around. Lane 6 please..yup. I removed my jacket, and as I was placing it in the tay, the officer asked if I had any 'lickwid' inside my box, and the 'leph ttuph' to be kept outside. Sure, I did the same and walked thru the metal detector, fully dressed, with shoes and socks on..Wow. Havent even removed my  wrist watch. Not bad. Atlast the gate B22 was in sight. The chairs were empty, and I could smell the freshly baked buns.breads from the nearby restaurant. I just sat down, took a deep breathe.As I turned around all my discomfort disappeared , when I saw the beautiful sun rising, as a pleasant orange ball, with its reflection on the airport glass, making it look like a double sunrise!!!!..and it indeed made things easier and I got ready for my long journey back home.