The Super Traveller - Thalaiva !!

Are you the one as well ??

Over the years in my profession of sales & marketing, travelling has been a constant! Although I used to think, with experience and age, the travelling might get reduced but it is otherwise.

I remember my mother used to tell me, I have some symbol of " Chakra" on my sole which indicates I will be constantly travelling in life ;)

My fellow travellers - please don't start searching for your chakras now :p

No complains on travelling as it is more of a routine now and somehow it has become an integral part of the lifestyle which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

I think this post would attract attention of every professional ( just not sales & marketing) whose job involves more than fifty percent of travelling outstation or overseas for business development or meetings.


                                              

Lets give some nice name to this traveller. Since these are super humans, I don't find any other name than " Thalaiva". I request pardon and forgiveness from Superstar Rajnikanth whose title " Thalaiva" is flicked by me here as the title states the importance of these Nomads ( since they are never at one place for a long time)

Thalaivas are found everywhere - Railway stations, Airports, Autos, Taxis or cabs, flights, lobbies of corporate offices, Hotels, Lounges and so on... The list can continue and you are allowed to add to this, if you are one of our thalaivas, since these are the places, they frequent more  and spend ( should I say waste) their time.


                                                            


I remember one of my close Thalaiva who so far has a record of getting his name announced at airports for " The last and final call". Somehow, this Thalaiva is special as even if he reaches three hours before, something happens with him and he happens to become the last man to get onboard ;)


                                               


Someone tried to change this by accompanying this superhuman and to ensure he boards on time. Our Thalaiva and the test specimen tried to reach the gate before anyone and enjoyed nice coffee and chat together on life as a salesman. Two hours later, an airline staff member escorted them back to the actual gate where the international flight was waiting for them ;) Seems Thalaiva made a goofup on the gate. The initial gate mentioned on the boarding pass unfortunately was revised and obviously the announcement had fell on deaf ears :p. After this incident, our test specimen has surrendered on boarding at the right time when thalaiva is with her and has vowed not to change the laws of nature :)


                                                       


In another incident involving another Thalaiva, being the last person to board the flight, shockingly didn't find a seat as there was a mistake from the airlines on duplication of the seat number. Our Thalaiva and the air hostess tried to locate an empty seat but in vain. Imagine the flight is in taxing mode to find the runway and our Thalaiva in his search mode. Finally, he was rewarded a seat next to a beautiful air hostess  - reserved for the crew. I still cannot believe this can happen but then we had another two eye witness Thalaivas on-board to endorse the claim :D


                                                         

Thalaivas are fitness conscious. Since most of the time they travel, they are conscious on eating time which is never a constant ;) . They eat nice food in nice hotels, nice food stalls, streets, canteens and selecting what to eat from the menu is one of the compulsory rule of their lifestyles. They are good in that and have a good knowledge on which food is the best in which place. But someone please tell their wives not to ask, what do you want to eat today? These Thalaiva like simple Dal -Rice  ( Rice and Lentils)  at home. Thalaivas like to remain fit and after relishing a good meal, they can talk hours together on fitness. " I need to do something for my tummy ", " Iam going to do some walking ", : No rice from tomorrow", " No eating junk food", " I could have stopped after eating the chapatis ( Indian Bread), " No sweets" are some of the most common statements made as it eases the burden of having a good meal ;) Its a fact, thalaivars cannot enrol to a club or gym for sports or exercise as they hardly can have consistency on going to these places regularly due to their travel demands. Also full credit to these Thalaivas to still manage quality time with family and ordering special items ( even  though they hate doing this when they are back from tours)


                                                      


Thalaivas sleep when others wake up and wake up when others sleep. Don't be surprised because international trips, our thalaivars have to work according to the local time they are in. They are not constant to these places so have to adapt to the time zones. The initial couple of days, thalaivars are like zombie due to the jet lag and by the time they get accustomed, they are back in their bases. They require another two days to re-adjust from the Zombie Thalaiva mode. They travel at night to catch flights and they sleep more on the couches than on beds. They wait more in lounges and platforms than the actual travel time they require. A flight from Kolkata to Mumbai or Dubai to Mumbai for thalaiva can take 2.5 hours or so but it takes more time to reach home from the airport after landing, thanks to the regular delays in the escort bus that takes them from the flight to the arrival terminal, the long wait at the baggage terminal, extra immigration counter checks by the inspector who likes to ask more questions to the Indians coming back to India ( I really wonder where I will go if he says you are not allowed to enter ;) ), the great traffic jams all over the country and so on.


                                                      


On a lighter mode, thalaivas enjoy the best of cuisines, scenic places, meet different characters, witness and experience different cultures. They are well behaved and highly adaptable. They live their life and stay connected through social media which might be a curse to some but definitely a boon to these Thalaivas as it ensures they are in contact with their families and friends.They also play an important role as ambassadors of our great nation as they are involved in spreading the Indian Culture to the world. They risk their lives and at times have close shaves from a bomb explosion, a terrible accident, fire events, technical snags, riots, bird hits, engine failures, flight missing ( Malaysian Airlines), and so on.


                                                         


So Salute to all the thalaivas. You all are fantastic and I think the most balanced people on this earth :) Balancing between professional and personal lives.....

Comments from fellow travellers are welcome and also looking forward for sharing your experience of incidents which you find hilarious during these travel times :)