Paths of Glory

I just finished reading 'Paths of Glory' by 'Jeffrey Archer' and liked it. I wanted to share my experience and some information about the book with my readers.

'Paths of Glory' is not the usual Jeffrey Archer novel which depicts a ruthless rivalry between two people. It's a story of a man who attempted to climb the Mount Everest in the 1920s. Although there is some rivalry between the protagonist of the novel and another person, it is very healthy. I am not going to write whether he was able to achieve it or not. For that you need to read the novel.

What the novel does is present before the readers how ambition can drive a man to do anything irrespective of the risks it involves. It also shows how our decisions affect others around us and the kind of sacrifices they have to make for us to pursue our ambition.

I have always been fascinated by books and movies which ask us to pursue our dreams. Though this book didn't try and do so, it certainly had its elements. It doesn't have breaknech speed narrative and is pretty easy to read. Do try it.

NYC to Kolkata

After 6 months in NYC I finally got to come to Kolkata, my home. I was really excited because I really needed a break from work. The last 3-4 days before I left for home were very hectic with loads of work and shopping. I barely managed 14-15 hours of sleep in the 3 days prior to my departure and was hoping to get some sleep on the flight.

When my flight was ready to leave I noticed that there was no one sitting in the 2 seats next to me and I was happy thinking that I would get to stretch. This was the first time I was traveling Economy as on previous occasions my company had paid for my trips. However, my happiness was short-lived as within 10 minutes of flying, an old Caucasian lady came and sat there saying that her entertainment system was not working...I had to make do with just one seat :(

Even after trying my best I just couldn't sleep. My situation was such that I was extremely sleepy but I still found no sleep. After 14 hours of torture I landed at Delhi Airport and had to wait there for about 3 hours to catch the connecting flight to Kolkata. At the airport there was a guy who kept on staring at me. Finally after some time he approached me and asked me whether I was from Kolkata and I replied yes. After a couple more questions he introduced himself saying that he knew me but I didn't recognize me. There was a friend with him. I was glad to have found some company to spend time at the Delhi Airport.

Throughout my stay with them I kept on cribbing about the administration at the Airport. To my dismay I could make out that they found me snobbish. They felt that I had been in the US for only 6 months and I was making those comments. However, I have been cribbing about these things since ages and there was nothing wrong about my cribbing. Just because we are Indians doesn't mean that the poor administration is tolerable.

Finally, after another 2 hour journey I landed at the Kolkata Airport. Luckily, I was the first person in the immigration queue and even better that I was the first one to get my suitcase. I rushed outside to see my parents standing there...