The Countdown

It would soon be time to go. I brought down my suitcases secretly so as to not alarm my dog who would go into depression when he realised someone was travelling. I sneaked around when he was not there packing everything I need for the trip.

I organised things at home and bought food and groceries and medicines. I dealt with work challenges and assigned work to people; I was ready.

Meanwhile the world was in chaos. Two great theatres of war, an airliner crash, political tensions… none of this made for a peaceful sense of travel. There were arrangements to be made, brutal “What if” scenarios to be considered and things to be organised. There was a sense of unease. There was an excitement about leaving coupled with the fear of the turbulence in our lives. There were times I wanted to just stay home. But perhaps games are just the thing we need now! A chance to play together to reach out to each other across all boundaries and build relationships rather than break them down.

I am usually someone who works well under pressure. I would run around like a chicken with its head chopped off at the last minute trying to get everything done. This time everything went like clockwork. I was packed, things were done, and I spent the last few hours with nothing to do. I think I have crossed over to the dark side!!!!

Like all international flights it was in the middle of the night, and I arrived bleary eyed and sleepy at the airport. And then the flight took off – a journey from Madras to Madrid.