Our hero reluctantly chooses the third option, since this is the best he can make out of the situation - that's something they taught him in the Army - "Adapt and Overcome". He realizes that this means that he will miss his brother's wedding, but at least he can make it to the reception. He informs his family in India of the situation. They are disappointed, but they understand his predicament. The Travel Office gets him a ticket to Frankfurt and he makes his way to Kuwait City International Airport. While at the airport, he whips out his laptop and tries to buy a ticket to India from Frankfurt. However, his card keeps getting declined. He suspects that it is probably being marked for fraud and tries to contact his bank. But he is unable to call 1-800 numbers through his AT&T phone card. His cellphone, which has roaming, should have worked, but for some reason, it refuses to work as well. He does some snooping around and finds out that the airline he is buying a ticket from (Emirates) has an office at the Frankfurt Airport. He figures he can buy a ticket there. Many hours later, he is in Frankfurt in front of a payphone booth. He calls his bank using his Debit Card and proceeds to ask them why he cannot use his credit card. "Oh, it's been marked for suspicious activity and blocked!", says the agent brightly. "But I told you guys that I was going to be overseas for a year, and to expect transactions on that card!". "Oh, um... well... the fraud department is closed. You'll have to wait until they're open", says the agent. "I don't have the time! I'm in Frankfurt, and I'm trying to buy a ticket out of here... so at the very least, I need to know if I can use my Debit Card.", says our hero in controlled frustration. "Umm... yeah that should be no problem! You have a $7000 daily limit on that card, so you should be able to buy your ticket!" says the agent. "Excellent! Thank you very much!", says our hero and hangs up.
"What do you mean it's declined?! I just talked to my bank! They said it's good to go!"
"I'm very sorry Sir, but your card isn't going through... maybe you can talk to them again?"
"It doesn't look like I have a choice now, do I?"
Our hero has a new problem. His card was declined, despite the assurances of his bank. He tries to use his card again to call his bank, but is unable to do so, since the payphone declines it as well. He realizes that he is stuck in Frankfurt... with no money. Unbidden, the name of a movie floats into his mind... "Terminal". Our hero wants to scream out in frustration at this point, and kick and break things. However, this would probably not be accepted by the Airport Authorities. He reaches into his pocket and grabs his wallet to see if he can convert some US Dollars into Euros and perhaps make a call that way. He sees his AT&T phone card and realizes that he can call his dad.
"Acha, I have a problem. I tried to buy the ticket, but I can't because both my cards are blocked for fraud. So I'm stuck now in Frankfurt, and I'm not sure what I can do..."
"Well, how about giving them my card information - do you think you can buy your ticket that way?"
"Hold on... I'll try that and call you back."
10 minutes later.
"Hi Acha, that didn't work..."
"Ok, let me talk to my agent in Muscat and see if I can buy a ticket that way. Emirates alle?"
"Athey acha"
"Alright, call me back in 15 minutes."
15 minutes later.
"Hi Acha, it's me again."
"Ok mone, I got the ticket. Here's the PNR number. Give the agent this number, and you should be good to go!"
Awesome post Viv. Awesome..
That was a nice vacation which you enjoyed. Your blog is quite interesting and informative. I appreciate your flair for writing as well.
nice pics!
Hey bro! lol jp my brother’s name is vivin too. that’s tight. he doesnt really like his name, tho.
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Was reading on the ancestry of the Nairs, when I got to see your website. How did you get all this material? Its wonderful. I am a Nair myself, have to check my Tharavad from my parents. Was born in North India so have very little idea of Nairs and their history. Parents are settled in Perumbavoor, so still do get to see Kerala once a year. Am based in Singapore now. Would be nice to keep in touch.
Vivin
One thing i forgot to ask you. you made that article on nairs??? If so 2 points to note:
1.Nairs were never classified into kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras.
2.Villakithala, velluthedathu and Chakkala nairs are not true nairs. No nair would knowingly prefer a marriage alliance with these castes.
Rest is in my posting in Discussion
Raksh
Hallo Vivin
No comments from yu about my posting in ‘Nairs’ in Discussion. Do you know anand Paliyath presently working as a scientist in NPOL
Raks
Hello Raksh,
Sorry for the delay. Being in Iraq, my internet access is rather limited.
While it is true that I was the one who initially wrote the article, it has changed over time due to the fact that Wikipedia is a collaborative effort. A lot of people have made changes. Furthermore, I haven’t been monitoring the article lately, so I cannot tell you much about the new changes.
As far as your first point goes, I agree with you completely. The Kerala caste system was completely different from the rest of India. While the Nairs were the ruling class, the highly orthodox Namboothiris still considered them to be untouchable due to the fact that they considered anyone lower (according to them) than their caste, untouchable. In fact, even other Brahmins (Iyers, for example) were considered untouchable by the Namboothiris. In that sense, you are correct – the Nairs were never classified into Kshathriya, Vaishya, or Sudra. However, I was merely trying to show a comparative analysis.
As far as your second point, I am no authority on it, and therefore, cannot comment.
If it is the Anand Paliath I think you are talking about, then I haven’t met him in person, but we did talk online once. What is NPOL, by the way?
Some comments
NPOL is National Physical Oceanographic Laboratory.
2.About my second point in my last mail, it is well known. You can ask anybody, anand for instance (No that he need be an expert. i just want to indicate that the idea is common place). You’ve been out of the country for long, I suppose. Then why are these castes (like Veluthedathu, Vellakithala, Chakkala Nairs etc.) not members of Nair Service Society (NSS), the premier organisation of the community?? On the other hand, they have their own associations like Villakkithala nair Samajam etc.NSS is in forefront in the criticism of the present reservation system of the government which it feels affects badly the members of the Nair community; these communities, meanwhile all belong to the Other Backward Category (OBC)enjoying the benefits of reservation system.
3.Parasurama may be a myth. But the very edifice of the caste structure and scriptures in every religion rests on mythological premises.So should you axe the Axe-Rama (Axe is Parasu in Sanskrit)? RAKS
Raks,
Like I said, I do not know enough about that point to comment. I did not add that information. You may remove it if you wish, as long as you provide proper documentation and references to support the change.
I believe that the caste system originated as a system for the division of labour. The myths were most probably added later to give it religious legitimacy. No doubt, certain parties had vested interests. However, using a myth to explain the origin of the Nairs doesn’t really get us anywhere. You can add the information if you wish, but probably want to phrase in a way such that it is evident to the reader that the legend/myth of Nairs removing their poonollu to escape Parashurama is just that – a myth. It may or may not have happened. The real reason may be something else, and the myth may have been created over time to explain it. We do not know, and therefore you cannot state it as a “Theory of Origin”.
Please continue further discussion on my Talk Page at Wikipedia.
hai vivin we both have the same name . iam glad to; meet you please be in contact with me lets we rock and roll
Yo man…
check you e-mail!! I finally got some picture of you from our last trip to the pool. You almost killed me remember???? The worst driver ever!! Don;t take it hard, I still love you man.
I should be dropping by in BIAP shortly so I’ll definitely come visit you.
PS: did you get your movies back?
Hello Vivin….
Happened to go through this post…..Have to say it was an absolute delight to read….Nice pics too….Looking forward to reading more in the future…..Keep up the good work….Cheers !!
Tamir,
WHATEVER DUDE! Ok, in all fairness, that was my first time driving from BIAP to the IZ and back! Hahaha! Hey, I got that picture of you in the gunner’s turret too. Yeah Ortiz has my movies – I just haven’t gotten them from him yet. Stay safe in Ramadi!
Merin,
Glad you enjoyed the post – I try to update as often as I can. I’m working on one to put here within the next few days!
Hi again.I had posted a comment a few months back.I’m at university now-university of British Columbia in vancouver.Thankfully the experience is’nt too scary.I mean,the day before i got here,i was totally freaking out.The place is huge,but i’m settling down.I find your journal quite interesting.I was in India too in august before we moved to canada.
I’m doing Anthropology and lots of other courses here.According to my textbook,nairs are classified under Kshathriyas.I am a Nair and have often heard others classify it under shudhra. So,which is it?!! i have’nt located your article yet.
Anyway,your pictures and descriptions of kerala did make me feel a little home-sick.Kerala has to be one place that sucks you in with all it’s vigour and energy,and yet when you’re out,you’re so much more of yourself.Maybe it has to do with truly indentifying yourself and fitting in completely with the people. You should visit the Guruvayoor temple.Even with all the madness in the crowd,(some women can really push and squeeze through crowds!)it’s truly liberating to be so close to god.
Anyway,take care!
hi,
juat saw you and raks talking about me.. i am anand. i work in npol. naval physical and oceanographic lab. juat wanted to say hai… happy holi and easter