13,560 Kilometers

In a recent conversation with my father, I mentioned that all positions in a particularly eminent company's offices in Switzerland required fluent knowledge of German and/or French (in addition to English), languages which I do not speak (yet). Known for his tongue-in-cheek remarks, my Dad immediately made a comment akin to how Switzerland and I go way back.

What he was referring to was the very brief, albeit very tense situation I had at the country's Zurich airport (Flughafen Zürich). During one of the stages in the COVID-19 pandemic, I was forced to make the exceptionally difficult decision of journeying from my hometown in Kochi, Kerala, India, to Kingston, Ontario, Canada -- to pursue my graduate studies and research at Queen's University. All direct routes from India were closed, and all indirect (but common) routes from India were also closed. Many were forced to take odd routes with several layovers in between, and that too on the condition that a COVID-19 PCR test be presented on entry (from the location of the last leg), with each test having a validity within 24 hours. Naturally, this incurred the challenge of ensuring one does not stay beyond a designated layover time at an airport (which would require transit visas), while also ensuring that the time at a particular location was sufficient enough to take a PCR test and get its results before the next leg, in addition to reaching the next leg on time so that the results were valid.

Unsurprisingly, the logistical decisions back then were not made with a cogent mind (or even a moral one). They constantly changed. I keep telling myself this was because the world was not prepared on how to deal with such complex problems, or because the severity of the situation demanded it. But evidence and investigation prove otherwise - for instance, watch Bill Gurley's talk at the 2023 All-In Summit to get more insight on how many agents were involved in COVID-19 testing.

The staff at the Zurich Airport were friendly, and they would have preferred to treat their travelers in the best possible way. But, like many others, I would have preferred not to spend close to 24 hours huddled up in a metal chair with limited access to food and water. But I grew up tough; this was a cakewalk. The real kicker came afterward.

All test samples were exported and processed at a nearby lab, with the samples sent in shifts. Those whose samples were sent on the same day would receive results on the same day (FIFO). For the remaining unlucky ones, the samples were sent in at 7 AM the next day, with the expectation that the results would surely come by noon (my flight was at 1 PM). In hindsight, I should have perhaps run with my small suitcase after getting down (so that I could be a part of the first shift), instead of walking fast. However, nobody ran (a rare example of how humans tend to maintain order during chaos), and I didn't want to seem like a maniac, especially at an odd time.

My results did not come by noon; in fact, it arrived one minute prior to gate closure. I do not know why. The total number of samples to be processed was fixed earlier. Perhaps the lab was overworked? No one was allowed to board the plane until their negative results came in. I still ruminate about that day at times and how I could have lost it all over a delayed email. But a minute is a minute (those who do planks can testify), and I boarded the flight. The odd part was there was no true result verification. A person barely, briefly glanced at a document on my phone and waved his hand for me to go forward. This is/was life.

Anyway, during that conversation with my Dad, it hit me how far I had come. I just graduated from Queen's, charting out new plans for where and how I can best materialize my hard work. The distance from Kochi to Kingston is approximately 13,560 kilometers. Here is a poem titled just that, written with assistance from GPT-3.5.

13,560 kilometers, a world away,

From Kochi's shores to Kingston's bay,

A journey of purpose, a quest to find,

A brighter future for the inquiring mind.

In search of wisdom, AI's profound spark,

This journey began with a hopeful embark,

Under a professor's wisdom, so sharp and bright,

In Kingston's limestone elegance, dreams take flight.

Challenges arose like waves on the sea,

Yet the spirit remained unbroken, strong and free,

For in the face of adversity, they stood tall, 

Ready to give it truly their all.

Surprisingly, the winter's icy embrace,

Was not as harsh as tales might trace,

They found warmth in purpose, friendships aglow,

In a city where dreams and ideas grow.

But oh, how they miss Kochi's rainy skies,

The flavors of home, the familiar cries,

Yet they made this journey, far and wide,

For a better life, where dreams can't hide.

13,560 kilometers, a world apart,

A journey of passion, a journey of heart,

Amongst maple leaves, they hope to find,

A love that's mutual, embracing in kind,

In Canada's embrace, they'll make their stand,

For they carry within the dreams of their homeland.