My Mumbai Airport Story

My Unforgettable Experience at Mumbai Airport

During one of my most anticipated journeys, I had a layover at Mumbai Airport while traveling from Istanbul to Singapore. I had intentionally chosen a flight route that passed through India because, as a Pakistani citizen, I’ve always been deeply curious about Indian culture. Unfortunately, due to the long-standing political issues, people from India and Pakistan are generally not allowed to visit each other’s countries easily. So when I found a flight on Air India that gave me a stopover in Mumbai, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to at least get a glimpse of Indian society, even if it was just from the airport.

I landed early in the morning, around 5 AM. After a long flight, I was exhausted, hungry, and looking forward to having my breakfast at the airport. I thought I’d exchange some U.S. dollars for Indian rupees and then buy food. That was my simple plan. However, what happened next completely changed my mood and experience.

I approached a currency exchange counter and asked to exchange some of my dollars for Indian rupees. To my shock, the staff at the counter told me that they don't give Indian rupees to foreigners. Instead, they said they would only exchange Indian rupees for dollars — not the other way around. I was confused. I asked again, thinking maybe I misunderstood, but they firmly repeated their policy. I tried explaining that I needed rupees to buy something to eat or drink, but they simply refused.

I was heartbroken. I had never heard of such a rule before. I’ve traveled to several countries, and currency exchange has never been an issue — airports usually exchange dollars into local currency without any problem. This was the first time I felt so helpless. I asked them what I was supposed to do, and they just shrugged and moved on to the next person in line.

Hungry and now frustrated, I went to the seating area. My heart felt heavy. I looked around, seeing people enjoy their food and drinks while I couldn’t even buy a bottle of water. I checked my wallet and pockets again, but I had nothing except dollars — which were apparently useless there.

I was incredibly thirsty. I hadn’t had a proper drink of water since I left Istanbul. In one corner of the waiting lounge, I saw a half-empty bottle of water that someone had left behind. It felt strange, but I had no choice. I walked over, picked it up, and drank from it. It wasn’t something I ever thought I’d have to do, but in that moment, my need for water overcame everything else.

This experience left me feeling disappointed. I had such high hopes about seeing Indian culture, even if it was just from the airport. I thought maybe I could talk to some locals, observe the way people interact, see how the airport reflects the country’s identity — but instead, I felt like an outsider who wasn’t welcome.

Despite everything, I still admire India’s rich heritage, culture, and diversity. I understand that airports have their rules, and maybe there were security or policy reasons behind the currency exchange restrictions. But as a traveler, especially one coming from a neighboring country with shared history and language, I expected a bit more warmth — or at least basic human consideration.

In the end, my short stop at Mumbai Airport turned out to be less of a cultural experience and more of a test of patience. I left with a mixed feeling: sad about what happened, but also grateful for the small lessons in humility and resilience.

I hope someday, the political boundaries between our countries will soften, and we can visit each other freely and warmly, the way neighbors should.