Page 19 - Seniors Toady March 2020

Travel

Packing that

pakodi parcel

Carry your tiffin on a flight? It
depends on the airline you choose,
writes Vickram Sethi

Years ago I was traveling by Air India from food. Then he pulled the rabbit out of his hat,

Delhi to Mumbai. It was an evening flight. “The food is so bad on flight that I carry my
I met an acquaintance of my father’s who own dinner.” He had a medical rep bag, from
asked if I was travelling to Mumbai and which he took out a round stainless steel box.
whether I had luggage. “I only have one bag,” On the lid he placed two pieces of Punjabi
I said to the gentleman. He asked if we could mango-pickle, onion and two green chillies.
check in together as he was carrying a lot of I was absolutely shocked. He halfheartedly
excess luggage. I agreed and we checked in asked “Will you have some?” I replied, no…

together. I requested for an aisle seat and he and within a few minutes the strong smell
for the other aisle seat. of Punjabi aam ka achaar reached four rows
Air travel was expensive in those days, and ahead and four rows at the back. I wanted
it was common for people to look for a friend to shrink into the book I was reading. Just
in the check-in queue so as to save on excess
baggage payment.

What a pickle
We boarded the aircraft and settled in.

We chatted about various things and
particularly how bad the Indian airline
services were. He complained that the food
was very bad and I agreed with him. The
flight took off and we continued chatting and
again he complained about the quality of It looks like food – but how good is it?

19 SENIORS TODAY | Issue #9 | March 15, 2020