It all started with the maid. She informed me one day that she would have to go home because her family was laying a foundation on her father's grave. I couldn't say no.
With her away, I would have to get another maid to help me and take leave the whole time she was gone. I mentioned my problem to my mother, and we mulled over it and the idea of going on a journey was born. This was in October, and we thought Ruatfeli would be big enough to travel by December. So tickets were booked, first only to Kolkata and back, then later to Delhi too because everyone thought there would be nothing to do in Kolkata for 4 days.
It was to be a large group - my parents, my brother and his wife with their two kids, and three of us, 9 in all with infant. As the time drew nearer the doubts grew bigger. How do I cope with the multiple feeding and naps? What if Feli gets sick? What if it was very cold in Delhi? What about Swine and other animal flus? Stupid me for getting nonrefundable tickets. And damn me, for ever conceiving the idea in the first place.
I made a lists of all the things that I could possibly need, and packed for four days:
- 6 tupperware boxes.
- 6 spoons
- A hot flask
- An electric kettle
- Diapers
- Half of Feli's wardrobe
- Most of her medications
- Oranges, diced papaya, Cerelac, dexolac, MamMam, marie biscuits
- Bips and wipes.
I could read fear in the Airhostesses' eyes. And loathing in the passenger who was seated next to us. In his slightly accented Mizo, he said he didn't mind the baby screaming and kicking in abandon. But it was evident in his mannerisms. We all heaved a sigh of relief when the air hostess led us to empty seats in the executive class. Feli finally breastfed and fell asleep. Now all we had to endure was 3 hours in Kolkata airport and 2 hours on the next flight.
We fed and changed Feli, she napped for several hours, but still she didn't like the next flight either. We reached Delhi, safe and slightly unsound at 12ish, and poor Feli could finally sleep on a bed.
(Dusserah park near Mizoram House, Delhi)
Mom offered to babysit for a day, and we managed to get some presents for other people, and several pairs of shoes for Feli, and nothing at all for H and I. But we did visit Nicco park in Kolkata....
It was wonderful to be back in Aizawl. Feli is resilient, and although she must have had a pretty tough time, she seems to be not much worse for wear, and she has settled back into her routine quite easily. And the one thing I have learnt from this trip is 'Do not travel with an infant'...atleast till they can walk, talk, eat adult food, or do the cha-cha.
5 comments:
Haha the last picture, the one of the whole group, tells it all. That must have been quite a dizzying experience. My sympathies. But ten years from now it'll be something to laugh about. Good to see Feli growing into a little nula.
Lol! Feli is super cute
Yep, it was definitely a dizzying experience. Dad joked, "We are either asking 'Is she crying?' or 'Has she pooped again?' the whole trip". Definitely came back smarter though, including Feli herself :)
Mnowluck, thanks :) Feli is really cute, and sweet, too. And I'm not saying that because I'm her mom :D
There's nothing I hate more in this entire world than traveling on a flight with a crying baby nearby :)
But as my cousin told me, once you have a family and baby of your own, you will easily understand the cries of other babies and won't be irritated. I guess I'll have to believe in that (after all, I don't have a choice 10,000 ft above sea level, do I?)
Good to know you had a great time. And hey, you haven't changed one bit since the last time I saw you :)
I can understand the sentiment....especially when it's a long flight. Couldn't understand parents who brought infants to movie theaters either. Always thought they were kind of sadistic, both to their kid and to the other movie goers.
I haven't changed must be pretty recent since you last saw me then. hehe
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