In the final days leading up to our take-off date, i had mixed feelings; an Excitement, as we were about to leave for what could be considered a once in a lifetime journey (though I hope its not the last!), and an Anxiety, as my dad was getting ready to go 'under the knife' to combat a rare form of cancer. As our day of departure got closer, doctor's assessment of my dad's condition had gotten worse. From what was initially considered a major but predictable surgery had turned into a risky 'mother of all operations' in just few days.
On the T-0 day of our trip, my anxiety was as its peak and we did what we should have done earlier i.e. change the course and visit India to be with family. An hour before we left for the airport to catch our flight to Rome, the first destination of RTW trip, we purchased tickets to fly to Bombay from Rome, which is also more than half way closer to India. On Monday evening, we set-off on one of the longest flights we may ever take. After 28 hrs and three stopovers, we finally landed in Bombay on Wednesday morning. Later on Bijal told me that as soon as we made the decision to visit India, the stomach butterflies she was having since morning were gone!
On Thursday morning, my dad went into the surgery that lasted almost a day (20 hrs). While the wait was excruciating for us, he came out of the surgery decease free. Now, a long road to recovery lies ahead for him but my dad is a fighter and am sure he will recover sooner than expected. For me, a sense of hope has taken over the anxiety that was there before the operation. As we board the flight from Bombay to Rome on this Sunday night, I am hopeful for my dad's speedy recovery and excited about what lies ahead for us!
On the T-0 day of our trip, my anxiety was as its peak and we did what we should have done earlier i.e. change the course and visit India to be with family. An hour before we left for the airport to catch our flight to Rome, the first destination of RTW trip, we purchased tickets to fly to Bombay from Rome, which is also more than half way closer to India. On Monday evening, we set-off on one of the longest flights we may ever take. After 28 hrs and three stopovers, we finally landed in Bombay on Wednesday morning. Later on Bijal told me that as soon as we made the decision to visit India, the stomach butterflies she was having since morning were gone!
On Thursday morning, my dad went into the surgery that lasted almost a day (20 hrs). While the wait was excruciating for us, he came out of the surgery decease free. Now, a long road to recovery lies ahead for him but my dad is a fighter and am sure he will recover sooner than expected. For me, a sense of hope has taken over the anxiety that was there before the operation. As we board the flight from Bombay to Rome on this Sunday night, I am hopeful for my dad's speedy recovery and excited about what lies ahead for us!
