This journey began with transitions: a domestic pilgrimage of sorts from Coimbatore to Chennai, and then to Raipur.
Lately, I’ve been deeply appreciating India’s smaller airports. Coimbatore is one of them. Compact, no-fuss, and easy to navigate. One or two baggage belts, maybe three at most, and you’re out the door in minutes. There’s something comforting about that. No endless corridors or conveyor belts to chase.
Coimbatore Airport, though, is starting to grow a bit too fast for my liking. There’s a Starbucks now, sitting alongside the local mainstays like Sri Annapoorna, Chennai Silks and Ramraj stores, a few jewellery shops and trinket stalls too. Still, I love that little-known upstairs area is accessible, calm, almost unused. I learned about it from a CSF security officer and found it to be a quiet, peaceful place to sit and stretch while waiting.
Raipur Airport, too, had that easy rhythm. Clean bathrooms. A quick exit. Only two baggage belts. My luggage came without delay. Booking an Uber was seamless — and what really stood out was the camaraderie among the drivers. Ola, Uber, self-employed — they all seemed to know each other. A kind of informal brotherhood. Someone even guided me to my cab. That blend of simplicity and friendliness set the tone for the days to come.
At Rashi’s place in Raipur, I spent my first couple of nights in rest and reconnection. We caught up like only old friends can: unrushed and unfiltered. We made flour powders in the kitchen, shared meals, had coffee, shopped a little, and laughed a lot. I even bought a few beautiful clothes at the mall. I didn’t take a single picture. Maybe I didn’t need to. The memory felt full just as it was.
Raipur is bigger than I expected. More malls, more structure, and vibrant communities: local communities, Jains, Marwaris, and others. A big city, but not overwhelming.