EPILOGUE As we approached Dubai we were stunned to be told that we would be unable to land due to fog. Fog in the desert? It was only when I thought that the plane might turn around and take us back to Delhi that I realised, despite my fear of heights, I would rather parachute out of the aircraft than go back to India. We were able to land in Dubai after flying around searching for other airports only to find that they too were fog-bound, and due to the delay we missed our connection. We were treated to an all-inclusive stop over in an excellent hotel close to the airport, and because we had arrived at 7.30 a.m. local time, we had 24 hours to do as much as we could in Dubai. We were thrilled. We swam in the hotel pool, ate three excellent meals, and visited the large shopping mall in the centre of Dubai. It was a surreal experience, as we found ourselves at one point sitting in Debenhams drinking Earl Grey tea but looking out of the window at the desert. With a Body Shop, Woolworth’s and Ikea to name but a few, we felt very disorientated when we came outside to realise we were not in Meadow Hall or the Metro Centre. The downside was that our two precious boxes had gone missing and were still missing when we flew out the next day. Within two days of arriving back in England we were reunited with our doorknobs and bathroom fittings. Sadly the bathroom fittings were smashed beyond repair and although Emirates were most helpful and reimbursed us for the cost of the items it wasn’t really the point. Most of the clothes that we were so keen to buy have either never been worn or have never been worn since their travels in India, but I dare say the boots will get an outing as soon as winter arrives. Four months after our return the shipment arrived from Mamallapuram. Taxes and duty doubled the cost of everything we bought, but the mirror frame was a masterpiece and the Ganesha has been waxed and polished and stands proudly in the hallway. As for the roll of red carpet, well we need to buy a really big house.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|