--Turned Back--aka Got Registration?

The first week in Mumbai flew by. Posh daily breakfasts and plenty of work to do in a new office hustled each day through. My schedule had me flying out at 11:10pm IST on Friday, the 10th of September. I went into the office at the normal time which is 5:00pm IST which correlates to 7:30am at home. My friend and colleague Saurabh had especially arranged to drop me at the airport that evening because we had some concerns over the space in the hatch-back Tata Indica car our regular driver uses. After writing a few mails and saying brief goodbyes we hopped in his car about 7:15pm. 12 miles=One and a half hours...Traffic was a little more than usual because it was the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi. After the requisite bumps and horn blow outs we arrived to find that there is no Gate 2c. We had gone past gate B where Continental flys out. So, with the help of the traffic guard and his trusty whistle we walked back to Gate B down the middle of the road. I had a luggage cart and my colleagues were right behind making sure I got into the right line. I only almost tripped the traffic guy with the cart once...woops. We got to gate B and I entered into a line that is about 50 people long where military guards check passport and tickets to grant entry. I said my hurried goodbyes to colleagues and turned to enter the line. Constant vigilance is needed to move along in any line here. The line actually moved quickly and before I knew it I was in the airport. Once I entered I found an airline rep and he pointed me to the longer line, Continental check-in, which was actually very close to the entry point of gate B. I answered a few questions from the staff, attach info to bags, and check in. Now all I had to do now was go through immigration and security...so far so good. I even upgraded my seat for more legroom!! Happy day. I waited in line for immigration for a while it was now getting close to 10pm. It was my turn I handed the guy my passport and boarding ticket....any moment now I should get it back and go through security....WRONG. "Where is your registration? Excuse me? Your registration? I dont...Come with me." We went back to head guys office. "No registration" amongst other inaudible Marathi mumblings, I was told to sit down. "Your flight will be cancelled", the middle aged balding agent coldly declared. I let out an audible gasp...I got an FRRO registration brochure and was escorted back to the Continental desk. I was told my bags are being offloaded. "Wait here 10 minutes." I waited for 30 at least. I had no phone, no local phone numbers. My other colleague was flying out to Frankfurt later that evening, my wheels turned, maybe I could wait for him and use his phone to get in touch. NOPE. Once I got my bags I was escorted out of the airport back in front of Gate B where I had entered some hours before. Like a salmon upstream I fought the crush of people pushing their way into the airport, and make it to a phone bank. The phone stand was monitored by a kid probably 16 at most. "USD? Do you take USD?" (I only had a $5 bill because why would I need ruppees I'm leaving). He noded and I dialed my colleague who was still in the office. He said, "can I call you back in 15...can he? NO. "Ok I will call you back in 15." I hung up. Kid said, "thats 200 rupees". All I had was usd. Blank stare. His boss who was apparently hovering close by sensed a problem and came over. I explained my issue, and he said, "just make your other call in 15 minutes and give him the $5 and everything will be fine." Thanks to that man. We chi-chated for a second and once he heard my story he said, "that is a big problem, because of the holiday earliest you could leave is Monday FRRO is closed on Saturday". The kid said, "Don't forget me", and I sat down on the ground right next to the stand and tried to keep it together. I got out my Hindustani Times and started reading. What a sight I must have been. After 15 I gave my colleague a call. The cavalry was on the way to come pick me up. Phew. Stress levels return from freakmode down to heightened. So there I waiedt for another hour on the curb and finally my buddy showed up and exclaimed, "Matt". I hopped in and that is that story. Epilogue to that story is we got back to the hotel where I had been rebooked. We joked with the hotel reception clerk, "Do we get a Welcome Back basket?", blank stare. I got to my new room and hit the minibar right away. This room is in much worse shape. The shade in between the bathroom falls down etc. But to top it all off I ordered a chicken dish at the 5 star restaurant and after I ate about 3 pieces I cut into one...Raw chicken. As the dude from Quantum Leap said, "Oh brother."