Hi. This is my first post and thought of writing about the recent adventure we had in the Mumbai airport. We ( myself and my hubby ) are currently residing in Nairobi, and last May ,thought of making a trip back home to India . We were so excited with the whole thought of meeting all our folks out there especially, I was dreaming of the day I would walk with my hubby to the Matunga market to have a pani puri, dahi puri from Pankaj, an icecream from the Naturals, and a fresh juice from the Health juice center. I had made all the travel booking for both of us and as is customary Harish did all the packing.
We travelled by Kenya Airways which was a decent journey. The seats were much wider in Economy class (better than Emirates) and we enjoyed the duration of the flight too. On landing Chatrapati Shivaji International Terminal, everything went on smoothly .The airport is renovated and looked bigger. The baggage came quickly. We were getting restless as to when we will reach home and hug our parents. It was 3 o clock in the morning and dint expect anyone to stand with a placard to greet us. Initially,we wanted to hire an A/C cab to reach home.
That was when Harish checked his purse and realized that there was no Indian Rupees with us at all. All we had was Kenyan Shillings. We were very embarrassed in the beginning but got a silver lining when we saw lots of private foreign exchange bureaus inviting us for money exchange and were much relieved to see such a warm reception by the agents. Proudly Harish took his Kenyan Shillings and asked for Indian rupees. To our shock, and the agents surprise, he refused to accept and told that Kenya shilling is not traded at all and only the top currencies are exchanged.
I totally panicked. Here we were in Mumbai airport waiting to enter the city and reach home but with no means of hiring a taxi as there was no local currency. Suddenly I remembered my small little purse which I always carry with me and prayed that there must be some change. Both of us started hunting for money in our big luggages and I could collect Rs 295 in the form of soiled notes and coins. That gave us a little bit of relief though we had to abandon the luxury of an A/C car travel.
We approached the prepaid taxi stand and waited in the queue. My heart was throbbing when Harish asked for a cab to Wadala ,as to what amount will the lady cut the receipt for. We eagerly waited as if exam results were coming out. Harish saw the receipt and burst out laughing. The receipt was for Rs 290 and we could not hide our smiles.
Happily and proudly we headed to the taxi stand and made this royal journey back home. Life is indeed beautiful.
P.S. Learning-Never hope to exchange Kenya Shilling for Indian Rupees in the airport exchange bureaus.
We travelled by Kenya Airways which was a decent journey. The seats were much wider in Economy class (better than Emirates) and we enjoyed the duration of the flight too. On landing Chatrapati Shivaji International Terminal, everything went on smoothly .The airport is renovated and looked bigger. The baggage came quickly. We were getting restless as to when we will reach home and hug our parents. It was 3 o clock in the morning and dint expect anyone to stand with a placard to greet us. Initially,we wanted to hire an A/C cab to reach home.
That was when Harish checked his purse and realized that there was no Indian Rupees with us at all. All we had was Kenyan Shillings. We were very embarrassed in the beginning but got a silver lining when we saw lots of private foreign exchange bureaus inviting us for money exchange and were much relieved to see such a warm reception by the agents. Proudly Harish took his Kenyan Shillings and asked for Indian rupees. To our shock, and the agents surprise, he refused to accept and told that Kenya shilling is not traded at all and only the top currencies are exchanged.
I totally panicked. Here we were in Mumbai airport waiting to enter the city and reach home but with no means of hiring a taxi as there was no local currency. Suddenly I remembered my small little purse which I always carry with me and prayed that there must be some change. Both of us started hunting for money in our big luggages and I could collect Rs 295 in the form of soiled notes and coins. That gave us a little bit of relief though we had to abandon the luxury of an A/C car travel.
We approached the prepaid taxi stand and waited in the queue. My heart was throbbing when Harish asked for a cab to Wadala ,as to what amount will the lady cut the receipt for. We eagerly waited as if exam results were coming out. Harish saw the receipt and burst out laughing. The receipt was for Rs 290 and we could not hide our smiles.
Happily and proudly we headed to the taxi stand and made this royal journey back home. Life is indeed beautiful.
P.S. Learning-Never hope to exchange Kenya Shilling for Indian Rupees in the airport exchange bureaus.
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