Somebody got a strong cup of coffee?
I FORGOT TO PUT MY SUITCASE IN THE CAR!!
I froze in panic as I stared at the empty trunk of my car. The euphoria of finding a very convenient spot in the airport parking lot – literally next to the entry doors – was extremely short lived. As it happens so often during panic mode, my mind went through a whirlwind of thoughts and images over the next few seconds…
For a fraction of a second, I entertained the thought of going back home but promptly ditched it at the first thought of traffic clogged Atlanta roads during office time.
“Can I manage by buying clothes at my destination?”
“Depends upon where I am going and how much time I have”, I logically reasoned to myself.
“Speaking of which, where I am I going?” [That was the first bright thought I had this morning]
“WAIT A MINUTE. Where am I going? Why am I at the airport?”
A few nanoseconds of blanking out. And then I realized that I was in the wrong place!!
I had a breakfast meeting at a hotel near the airport!!! I was not supposed to be at the airport at all!! (at least that explained why I did not have a suitcase).
It turns out that I had put my car and my mind in autopilot mode while driving to meet an executive at a hotel near the airport. I was so lost in my thoughts that I simply followed my every week pattern and showed up inside the airport parking lot!!!
“Now I am going to be late for the breakfast meeting and I am behind on coffee”, I thought as I got back into the car.
It sure beat missing a suitcase on a trip though 🙂
Sounds like something I would do!!! LOL
One step closer to self driving cars!
oh my goodness! 🙂
Too funny! And you are confident enough to share it! Way to go Rajib! I feel normal now 🙂
Oh lord!!!
Good one…
Today, someone is hacking into my FB friends brains. Ted Dimbero
Never done that, but I have driven to my old house when returning from a trip. Luckily, I realized my mistake as I was pulling in the driveway and, near as I can tell, the occupants didn’t notice .. at least they didn’t come out screaming or call the police 🙂
Maybe you need a day off…or 5?!
I can easily see myself doing that.
I actually did that once myself. Left the bag sitting behind the car when I drove out. Had the exact same feeling when I opened the trunk. My wife shipped it to me at my destination.
Rajib Roy, this is serious!!!…go see a doctor, it is the second key indicator of senility!!!…I don’t remember the first…LOL
… and Rajib – you were late for the breakfast yet you took the time to pen your thoughts? Such dedication to FB posts …!
Wow! That is something that I would do and totally out of character for you. Have an awesome day! ✈️
Sumana, I am always up for laughing at myself.
Kirsten, no. I think I just need to be a little more mindful 🙂
Sourav, I was not the only one late…. that was the good news!!
haven’t done that, but once I thought my car was stolen after I returned from a trip and even reported it to the police, only to realize that I had parked it at the airport; completely forgot, took a cab back and freaked out when my car wasn’t home
Oh my, hope the senior care centers in Atlanta are better than the ones in Texas….
Sounds like Monday number 2:-)
LOL, hysterical! Been there, done that (just not at the airport). You are truly missed my friend 🙂
I wish I could learn that trick to be more mindful.
Rajib, my dad taught me that those are not ‘senior’ moments but ‘so near’ ones…
very funny! ok, so maybe you’ve been traveling just a bit too much.
you are a gem. only you would share that story!
BUMMER!! But an excuse to buy some nice new khakis or a suit!!
I can relate to this tale. It won’t get better as you get older.
Wow! I think you need a break. Glad it all worked out. And thanks for sharing. I was worried you weren’t human 🙂
Rajib Roy don’t worry you are not alone. I have done this myself not once but three times and each time received a lecture from my mom that I didn’t learn to pay attention at school. I am just wondering what will be her reaction if she ever gets to know my school friend also did the same.
Hah!!
Rajib – in all these years of my travel I did something last week landing in Mumbai never done before – it was BUS gate – I grabbed my laptop bag and boarded the bus – when we got off the bus at the arrivals I froze in panic – I forgot my carry-on roller bag in the flight ! I had to get back to the plane in the same bus – got the bag and returned this time with the crew ! First sign ever of Age catching up on my travel-enthu ! …the only saving grace was the bag had been kept in business class due to space limitation !! Still embarrassing yaar !
Babare koto boro executive tar por koto thoughts… take care of urself Rajib…r u overburdened? .don’t lose urself like this!!!!
Ha ha. This one tops all your posts. And hits close to home for anyone who travels so much that many steps are auto pilot mode.
I once reached an airport in india without tickets. This was before the days of e tickets and smartphones.had to go back to the hotel and find them. Made the flight with minutes to spare
haha am not sharing alll the stuff i do in this space…carry on thinking this is the worst thing :)))
At least you didn’t forget your phone inside the microwave and turned your home and car upside down
looking for it…