Wow, this is the best part of the whole deal. The anticipation and then the tired climax (I mean the jet lagged culmination of the journey. What were you thinking???). Okay, before we get into the prose part, let's do one final check up.
Checklist:

•  I-20, Admission letters, Passport with Visa taken?
•  Copies of the above made and kept in cabin luggage (the small bag you will take inside the plane) and check in luggage (The big bags)?
•  Traveler's cheques taken? Receipts of the Travelers cheques taken?
•  Kept some cash in pocket and about 3 dollars worth quarters (You will need these to get baggage trolleys at the airports in the US, pitiful eh?). A pen also?
•  Kept all important document originals in your cabin baggage?
•  Packed Cabin baggage with at least 2 sets of clothing and toiletries to last you a couple of days if your baggage comes after you?
•  Made sure that you have no pointy sharp metallic objects in your cabin baggage?
•  Made sure that your check in luggage is within aircraft carrier suggested specifications (length, width and weight)?
•  Put labels on all your bags with your name on it?
•  Informed INSAT that you are arriving with your flight details, time of arrival and more importantly, date of arrival?

Alright then. Take your parents and elders blessings, kiss your little sister goodbye, hug your bade bhaiya bye bye, tell your friends some more PJ's, wipe your tears (sob) and surge ahead Mr/Miss Traveler. You are about to begin a journey that will end in a TIRED CLIMAX (Stop it, it's not Funny!!). Also make sure you are at the airport at least 2 and a half hours before scheduled departure.

Okay the first stop is the screening of baggage and stuff. So go ahead screen it. There will be a Pandu, who will pass your luggage through a screening machine and attach a sticker on the chains if everything turns out alright.

Next you make your way to your air carrier's counter. Typically you will have to keep your air ticket along with copies of your I-20 and admission letters ready. This is where the weight of your bags really comes into the picture. Stuck-up-no-customer-satisfaction airlines like that Italian airline will demand that you remove stuff from your bag if it is overweight even by half a kilo. Others like Delta are far more understanding and will be far more accommodating.

Once all this is done, there will be a security check and then there is nothing to do until it is time to board the flight. Relax, think of all the great times you have had with your family, think of all your aspirations, spare a thought for your best friends and remember to tell everybody that you came to the airport on an elephant(just adds to the mysticism of India).

Okay, now after a short wait get into the airplane. Go to your assigned seat and chill. Your next stop will be somewhere in Europe. They may typically show a movie in-flight, mostly Hollywood, although BA and AI show Bollywood stuff too or in my case 'The Mexican' in Italian. The airhostess will come along with the candies, take a few just in case you suffer air sickness or if your ears refuse to pop at high altitudes, which is quiet painful and can cause a headache. Also, ask the airhostess for anything, if you need it. When it is time to alight at the connecting airport, sometimes you can ask the airhostess for food coupons that you can redeem at the airport. Go ahead and give it a try. Do not forget to open your eyes briefly while flying when it is still dark outside but when the sun is about to rise on the far horizon. Many of us call this dawn. You will find it amazing to notice that the rising sun brings with it a rainbow on the horizon. It is a wonderful sight. (Continued)

Contributing Author Nikhil Bandodkar