When most of you hear the word "traveling" you become excited about exploring the new ventures on your journey. You know, clicking selfies, making videos, watching films, or reading blogs (just like this one), all these are the "to-dos" on your flight or bus to keep yourself busy while you progress towards your destinations. But, if you are NOT covering even a single meter, you are stuck in one place, have you ever thought about HOW MUCH of such activities can you keep on performing until you reach your destination? Most probably, you don't want to find yourself trapped in this sort of bubble. Unfortunately, I found myself in this situation!
In early 2019, I happened to travel to Lahore, Pakistan from Kuala Lumpur via Bangkok. I left my home just like a normal day of travelling. Though, I was bit nervous due to aviophobia, but I assumed everything would be fine, just like everytime. After arriving at the airport, check-in, immigration, etc went smooth. Also, there are some time before the boarding started, so I nibbled on cheese crackers in the mean time. Finally, I steeped on the aircraft. The entire estimated time to arrive at my FINAL destination, LAHORE, was around 8 hours. But, this 8-hour journey turned into a 12-hour long never-ending nightmare. First, setting from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, the flight was smooth. It was just a matter of 120 minutes before we touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Thailand was a bit hotter than Malaysia. There was one hour transit time and I spent it having one quick "Mc Meal" at the McDonald's at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Although I avoid eating heavy foods during the travel, but this time around, I couldn't help myself! After spending a short transmit time of 1 hour, I cheerfully boarded the next flight with the hope that only a few hours had left before I could see my lovely city, Lahore! Never did I know my hopes would soon be ruined. Finally, I was buckled up with the belt and closed my eyes as the aircraft accelerated before the take-off. That last-minute was close, but! The aircraft did not take off. It seemed completely abnormal.
Moreover, there was NO permission granted by the airport authorities for the passengers to rest in the waiting area by the time issue was fixed. So, down in the dumps, it was time to face the music! It took 3 hours to fix the problem of hydraulics. Meanwhile, I had to sit in one place, scrolling through my mobile without internet, PLUS, the entertainment screens were turned off due to safety purposes. I could not feel my legs! Anyhow, after 3 horrifying hours, the hydraulics were fixed It's the system that helps the land gears, flaps, brakes of an airplane to move. We were on the roll again.
Eventually, the flight took off and during the voyage, I realized that spending 3 dreadful hours stuck were truly been blessing in disguise because what if the pilot had discovered about the malfunction of hydraulics when we had already taken off? It would have been surely more dangerous. Nonetheless, this flight went smoothly and landed in Lahore after 5 hours. Upon arrival, I met Pakistan's Under-17 cricket team who happened to be on the same flight as mine! These young lads were coming back to Pakistan after winning South Asian Cricket Champions in Thailand. They were quite energetic, the future of the Pakistan Cricket Team. That's something positive I experienced on this stressful journey. But, this won't ever stop me from exploring the world!
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