This year the islamic ramadan started on February 18th… It was visible in the Emirates – little traffic on the streets, empty eateries… In the elegant Abu Dhabi airport I boarded the Etihad plane heading to Trivandrum in South India. Soon after take off they started the service – warm meal with salad and selection of beers (my favorite kingfisher) and stronger stuff – even Bacardi rum.
Since the beginning of the flight I was impressed by the unusual help and hospitality of one of the crew members. Thanking him I introduced myself and… He said that his Father is Tajik and mother – Russian. He was born and educated in Russia so soon we started to speak Russian. It was great talk about the world travelling. For islamic passengers onbord, fasting whole day they were carrying special meal – yoghurt and dates – Muslims start the evening just after sunset their ramadan meal. There were only few Muslims aboard so Mr Nazar gifted the rest of stock to me wishing happy journey around the world. Thank you Mr Nazar! It was unforgettable meeting!
We landed in India in the darkness. The airport immigration despite my e-visa was very slow… Then I changed 20 USD (in the airport rates are poor) and prepaid the taxi to avoid bargaining with the driver. They were waiting for me in the pension. What a heat and humidity!!