The journey back home can sometimes be so painful and yet so adventurous. I realized this when I was going home, Bhubaneswar, in October 2006. This time my perseverance was being tried to its level best.
16th October 2006
It all started three days before my date of journey. I had somehow managed to get my reservations done on 20th October 2006 on East Coast Express from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar. This required that I start from Bangalore towards Hyderabad on 19th October 2006. I was very comfortable traveling by a Volvo, overnight. Moreover I was very confident of getting the tickets of 19th October even if I buy it on 18th. It had happened so many times in the past. Incidentally, I was just crossing the outlet of my travel agent so I decided let me get the tickets done today itself. But to my utter surprise, the agent informed me that no tickets were available from Bangalore to Hyderabad through any private or government travel agency from 18th October till 20th October. I was zapped. How will I catch my train from Hyderabad!
I rushed back home and started checking out for options. After spending 2 hours over the internet with sites of flights and trains, I got a "Tatkal" ticket done for 18th October from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar. After getting this ticket done, I went and got the bus ticket for 17th October, 9:00 PM; scared that I might loose even this. I then called up my lead explaining him the situation and why I have to leave two days prior to my start of vacation. Now, almost after three hours everything looked absolutely in place.
17th October 2006
My bus was at 9:00 PM and I was to board it just 200mts away from my home in Bangalore. When I reached office in the morning, I saw a meeting request in my mailbox from our US counterparts from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
If I leave office at 7:30 PM I would be just in time to catch the bus.
I discussed this with my lead and he agreed that I should leave in middle of the meeting at 7:00 PM and catch our scheduled office shuttle at 7:15 PM. This seemed pretty fine.
4:00 PM: My mom called me to inform that Airport Road, where I stay in Bangalore was in National news. A local Volvo had rummaged into foot-path walkers and had killed two. So, mom asked me to be careful as there were riots going on Airport Road.
6:00 PM: By this time, I had found out from various sources that the situation at Airport Road had worsened. I was in a dilemma and had almost decided that I wouldn't attend the meeting and leave immediately. Just then we received the cancelled meeting request. Pleased, I left my cubicle without further ado wishing everyone “Happy Deepawali”; not knowing what was awaiting me.
6:05 PM: I was standing in front of my office, waiting for a Volvo to arrive. I stopped a few autos in the meantime to ask if they would take me to Airport Road. Those who have stayed in Bangalore will know about the "goodwill" of the "autowalas" here. Well, avoiding further sarcasm, none of them agreed to take me by "meter". And I am very stubborn about this. I have never hired an auto without putting its meter to use. I let all of them go one by one. Tension was building fast in me…
If I don't reach home in time, if I miss my bus, how fast can I finish the remaining packing, which other items needed to be stuffed in my bag!
While I was lost in my thoughts, I missed noticing that a lady from my office had walked to stand next to me. My contemplation was broken when I heard her talking to an "autowala" in "Kannada". She eventually boarded and I stopped this auto just in time to ask where they were going and if I can join them. They were going to Indiranagar, a place close to Airport Road. In split of a second, I made up my mind that if I join "The Lady", I can take another auto from Indiranagar.
I embarked into the auto.
"Uff! Finally!"
The auto was moving at a slow pace so left with no choice I started conversing with "The Lady". For an hour, we moved at a snail's pace. I did a quick thinking and with some calculations came to the conclusion that in no way I will be able reach home by 9:00 PM. I immediately dialed my fiancé and asked him to check for any flights from Bangalore to Hyderabad. He checked and declared that no flights were available. Shit! I questioned will I be able to go home!
To affirm with my thoughts, the situation had turned such that we reached at a point where the traffic got sluggish completely. It seemed as if the world has come to an end; all engines had stopped, nothing seemed to be moving.
7:30 PM: Next I made a call to the travel agent from whom I had booked bus tickets from Bangalore to Hyderabad.
Me: Hello Sir, what time will my Bus to Hyderabad leave?
Travel Agent (TA): 9:00 PM ma'am.
Me: Is there no chance of it getting delayed?
TA: No ma'am.
Me: Have buses started plying through Airport Road now?
TA: No ma'am. You will have to go to Indiranagar bus stop and board the bus from there.
Oh shit!! Another blow! Now I will have to get down of this auto at Indiranagar, take another auto to Airport Road, pack my bags and come back to Indiranagar and the time now was somewhere around 7:40 PM. All this has to be done in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Merlin Beard!! I am surely going to miss the bus. But what-ever happens I will try till I make it.
TA: Hello, hello!!
Me: Oh Sorry!! Can you ask the bus to wait for half an hour? I am stuck in traffic near KR Puram, and you know the situation today!!
TA: Yes ma'am, I will inform, but please try to there by 9:30 PM.
Me: (Making a mental note of time and grinning) Thanks a lot, sir.
The condition of traffic was still the same which I tolerated for another fifteen minutes patiently… And then I saw people getting down their vehicles to walk. “The Lady” and I looked at each other and decided, let’s walk. We got down, paid the "autowala", and moved on. It looked like an adventure to me now. I love walking and although I was in such a pressing situation, I started enjoying. I really didn't know from where I was getting a lot of sanguinity. I decided, let me take pleasure in this; even if I miss the bus, now let me enjoy the struggle. I was walking swiftly but having fun.
Thank the moment in the morning when I decided to wear jeans and shoes.
"The Lady" with me was struggling to walk as she was wearing high heels and the side road was full of pebbles.
I kept holding her hand every now and then, supporting her whenever she was about to fall. It may sound odd but it seemed like a pleasure walk rather than a rush to catch a bus.
We must have walked for around 30-35 minutes now and had reached a place, where I had never been. Here the traffic was moving. So we stopped for a while to look around if there were any "autos". "Oh yes there is one", I exclaimed!!
We walked towards it and swoosh. Before I could start talking to "autowala", a "lady with a kid" got into the auto and sat down. How rude!! How ill-mannered!! When will people have some regards for others!! As the "lady with a kid" was speaking to "autowala" and hired it for her ride, I figured out from her conversations that she was going to Indiranagar. I spoke to "autowala" and requested the "lady with a kid" can "The Lady" and I join her, and share her fare. She readily agreed.
Who would not until I look like a terrorist which is a faint possibility!! Well, well!! It's done.
8:30 PM: We got into the auto. I was still enjoying myself. The anxiety of missing my bus in half-an-hour (no one hour, considering the grace I was given by the travel agent) had vanished.
8:42 PM: The "lady with a kid" got down from the auto, settling her part of fare. I asked the "autowala" if he was ready to go further ahead to Airport Road with me after dropping "The Lady" at Indiranagar. He surprisingly agreed. I put across to him, that I have a bus to catch in twenty minutes and in these twenty minutes I have to go to Airport Road and come back to Indiranagar Bus Stop (the location of which I wasn't aware of). He agreed to this also.
Bless him!!
I again told him that we had only twenty minutes time for all this. He said, "Don't worry ma'am, you'll not miss your bus."
Wow!! I was delighted!! Was he God-sent? Again a conflict in my mind!! Well, that's just a figure of speech. There is no God, Gudia!!
So after dropping "The Lady", at some location in Indiranagar, we sped off. I was very light-headed and I was surprised at this.
I am supposed to be nervous and panicky. But why!! Things are moving well till now, well not so well! (Grin) But it's ok!! What is the max that's going to happen! I'll loose five fun-filled days at home and some money. No problem, I will start my journey for home on Saturday instead of today. It's ok! It happens sometimes, that's how we know that life isn't always a cake-walk.
Ma'am, should I take a right?
Ya, take a U-turn and then a left.
8:55 PM: I was running late.
But the travel agent had assured that the bus would start at 9:30 PM.
I still had some time. I made a quick call to the travel agent to re-confirm and he confirmed.
8:57 PM: I reached home, asked the "autowala" to wait, mentally blessing him once again. Then rushed four floors upstairs, panting hard and opened the door. I did a quick packing of the remaining stuff, collected all the perishable items from fridge and kitchen and rang the bell of my neighbor. I was still wheezing hard. But I had to be fast. My glib neighbor came out and was about to start which I guessed would be start of a lengthy conversation and I cut her short. While bringing my luggage out and locking my doors, I told her that I am going home and these things she can use.
"I will explain the whole story when I come back" when she asked why I was in such a hurry. "Happy Deepawali", I screamed while rushing down the steps with my two bags.
Hell!! When will I learn to travel light!!
9:06 PM: I was loading my bags into the auto with the help of the "autowala". This was surprising. I have never received a helping hand from "autowalas" in Bangalore.
Bless him with all happiness!!
"Let's go, Indiranagar."
We need to stop at the travel agent, which is close-by to ask him the exact directions to the bus-stop.
200mts and I asked the "autowala" to stop. Since I couldn't leave my luggage in the auto under the surveillance of "autowala", I requested him to go to the travel agent with my ticket and understand the directions. He agreed easily. Another surprise!!
I waited for two minutes and he was back. He said don't worry ma'am, I know the place. I said, “thank you”.
We invaded through the notorious Airport Road traffic and finally after fifteen minutes we reached a place full of travel agents and buses. "Autowala" said, "ma'am this is the place."
If this is not the place, then hiring another auto would be difficult. It is almost 9:30 PM. I can't afford to be left at a wrong place. I should ask him to go and confirm with the travel agent outlets.
"Can you can take my ticket once again and find out where exactly should I be waiting?"
I guess I was asking too much of him now, as he looked a bit hesitant this time. Nevertheless, he said, ok!
"I am sorry! I am asking you to do so much. But I cannot leave my luggage here and go! ", I spoke my mind.
"No problem, ma'am. I know you are in trouble and it is my duty to help a woman in trouble", he replied.
What!! Did I hear the right words; an "autowala" from Bangalore uttering such words. Un-believable!!
"Thank-you, you are the first "autowala", who has behaved in this way. Bless you and your family", I conveyed my sincere gratitude.
He went and found out, that we are at the right place and I should be waiting across the road. I was about to get down from the auto with my luggage when he asked me to remain seated; he would take me across the road on auto. I was so thankful that I got such a conscientious person today.
I handed over a note of hundred rupees to my savior, and asked him to keep it without returning any change back to me. Finally, I got down and breathed a sigh of relief.
[Reader's of this write-up: Like me please do not breathe a sigh of relief. I know it was a lengthy write-up on my experience and of-course my friends out there must be relieved that finally my ordeal had come to an end. But dear pals, please realize, I haven't reached Bhubaneswar yet, I have just reached a point where I have to start my journey. :)
More to come, very soon]
16th October 2006
It all started three days before my date of journey. I had somehow managed to get my reservations done on 20th October 2006 on East Coast Express from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar. This required that I start from Bangalore towards Hyderabad on 19th October 2006. I was very comfortable traveling by a Volvo, overnight. Moreover I was very confident of getting the tickets of 19th October even if I buy it on 18th. It had happened so many times in the past. Incidentally, I was just crossing the outlet of my travel agent so I decided let me get the tickets done today itself. But to my utter surprise, the agent informed me that no tickets were available from Bangalore to Hyderabad through any private or government travel agency from 18th October till 20th October. I was zapped. How will I catch my train from Hyderabad!
I rushed back home and started checking out for options. After spending 2 hours over the internet with sites of flights and trains, I got a "Tatkal" ticket done for 18th October from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar. After getting this ticket done, I went and got the bus ticket for 17th October, 9:00 PM; scared that I might loose even this. I then called up my lead explaining him the situation and why I have to leave two days prior to my start of vacation. Now, almost after three hours everything looked absolutely in place.
17th October 2006
My bus was at 9:00 PM and I was to board it just 200mts away from my home in Bangalore. When I reached office in the morning, I saw a meeting request in my mailbox from our US counterparts from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
If I leave office at 7:30 PM I would be just in time to catch the bus.
I discussed this with my lead and he agreed that I should leave in middle of the meeting at 7:00 PM and catch our scheduled office shuttle at 7:15 PM. This seemed pretty fine.
4:00 PM: My mom called me to inform that Airport Road, where I stay in Bangalore was in National news. A local Volvo had rummaged into foot-path walkers and had killed two. So, mom asked me to be careful as there were riots going on Airport Road.
6:00 PM: By this time, I had found out from various sources that the situation at Airport Road had worsened. I was in a dilemma and had almost decided that I wouldn't attend the meeting and leave immediately. Just then we received the cancelled meeting request. Pleased, I left my cubicle without further ado wishing everyone “Happy Deepawali”; not knowing what was awaiting me.
6:05 PM: I was standing in front of my office, waiting for a Volvo to arrive. I stopped a few autos in the meantime to ask if they would take me to Airport Road. Those who have stayed in Bangalore will know about the "goodwill" of the "autowalas" here. Well, avoiding further sarcasm, none of them agreed to take me by "meter". And I am very stubborn about this. I have never hired an auto without putting its meter to use. I let all of them go one by one. Tension was building fast in me…
If I don't reach home in time, if I miss my bus, how fast can I finish the remaining packing, which other items needed to be stuffed in my bag!
While I was lost in my thoughts, I missed noticing that a lady from my office had walked to stand next to me. My contemplation was broken when I heard her talking to an "autowala" in "Kannada". She eventually boarded and I stopped this auto just in time to ask where they were going and if I can join them. They were going to Indiranagar, a place close to Airport Road. In split of a second, I made up my mind that if I join "The Lady", I can take another auto from Indiranagar.
I embarked into the auto.
"Uff! Finally!"
The auto was moving at a slow pace so left with no choice I started conversing with "The Lady". For an hour, we moved at a snail's pace. I did a quick thinking and with some calculations came to the conclusion that in no way I will be able reach home by 9:00 PM. I immediately dialed my fiancé and asked him to check for any flights from Bangalore to Hyderabad. He checked and declared that no flights were available. Shit! I questioned will I be able to go home!
To affirm with my thoughts, the situation had turned such that we reached at a point where the traffic got sluggish completely. It seemed as if the world has come to an end; all engines had stopped, nothing seemed to be moving.
7:30 PM: Next I made a call to the travel agent from whom I had booked bus tickets from Bangalore to Hyderabad.
Me: Hello Sir, what time will my Bus to Hyderabad leave?
Travel Agent (TA): 9:00 PM ma'am.
Me: Is there no chance of it getting delayed?
TA: No ma'am.
Me: Have buses started plying through Airport Road now?
TA: No ma'am. You will have to go to Indiranagar bus stop and board the bus from there.
Oh shit!! Another blow! Now I will have to get down of this auto at Indiranagar, take another auto to Airport Road, pack my bags and come back to Indiranagar and the time now was somewhere around 7:40 PM. All this has to be done in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Merlin Beard!! I am surely going to miss the bus. But what-ever happens I will try till I make it.
TA: Hello, hello!!
Me: Oh Sorry!! Can you ask the bus to wait for half an hour? I am stuck in traffic near KR Puram, and you know the situation today!!
TA: Yes ma'am, I will inform, but please try to there by 9:30 PM.
Me: (Making a mental note of time and grinning) Thanks a lot, sir.
The condition of traffic was still the same which I tolerated for another fifteen minutes patiently… And then I saw people getting down their vehicles to walk. “The Lady” and I looked at each other and decided, let’s walk. We got down, paid the "autowala", and moved on. It looked like an adventure to me now. I love walking and although I was in such a pressing situation, I started enjoying. I really didn't know from where I was getting a lot of sanguinity. I decided, let me take pleasure in this; even if I miss the bus, now let me enjoy the struggle. I was walking swiftly but having fun.
Thank the moment in the morning when I decided to wear jeans and shoes.
"The Lady" with me was struggling to walk as she was wearing high heels and the side road was full of pebbles.
I kept holding her hand every now and then, supporting her whenever she was about to fall. It may sound odd but it seemed like a pleasure walk rather than a rush to catch a bus.
We must have walked for around 30-35 minutes now and had reached a place, where I had never been. Here the traffic was moving. So we stopped for a while to look around if there were any "autos". "Oh yes there is one", I exclaimed!!
We walked towards it and swoosh. Before I could start talking to "autowala", a "lady with a kid" got into the auto and sat down. How rude!! How ill-mannered!! When will people have some regards for others!! As the "lady with a kid" was speaking to "autowala" and hired it for her ride, I figured out from her conversations that she was going to Indiranagar. I spoke to "autowala" and requested the "lady with a kid" can "The Lady" and I join her, and share her fare. She readily agreed.
Who would not until I look like a terrorist which is a faint possibility!! Well, well!! It's done.
8:30 PM: We got into the auto. I was still enjoying myself. The anxiety of missing my bus in half-an-hour (no one hour, considering the grace I was given by the travel agent) had vanished.
8:42 PM: The "lady with a kid" got down from the auto, settling her part of fare. I asked the "autowala" if he was ready to go further ahead to Airport Road with me after dropping "The Lady" at Indiranagar. He surprisingly agreed. I put across to him, that I have a bus to catch in twenty minutes and in these twenty minutes I have to go to Airport Road and come back to Indiranagar Bus Stop (the location of which I wasn't aware of). He agreed to this also.
Bless him!!
I again told him that we had only twenty minutes time for all this. He said, "Don't worry ma'am, you'll not miss your bus."
Wow!! I was delighted!! Was he God-sent? Again a conflict in my mind!! Well, that's just a figure of speech. There is no God, Gudia!!
So after dropping "The Lady", at some location in Indiranagar, we sped off. I was very light-headed and I was surprised at this.
I am supposed to be nervous and panicky. But why!! Things are moving well till now, well not so well! (Grin) But it's ok!! What is the max that's going to happen! I'll loose five fun-filled days at home and some money. No problem, I will start my journey for home on Saturday instead of today. It's ok! It happens sometimes, that's how we know that life isn't always a cake-walk.
Ma'am, should I take a right?
Ya, take a U-turn and then a left.
8:55 PM: I was running late.
But the travel agent had assured that the bus would start at 9:30 PM.
I still had some time. I made a quick call to the travel agent to re-confirm and he confirmed.
8:57 PM: I reached home, asked the "autowala" to wait, mentally blessing him once again. Then rushed four floors upstairs, panting hard and opened the door. I did a quick packing of the remaining stuff, collected all the perishable items from fridge and kitchen and rang the bell of my neighbor. I was still wheezing hard. But I had to be fast. My glib neighbor came out and was about to start which I guessed would be start of a lengthy conversation and I cut her short. While bringing my luggage out and locking my doors, I told her that I am going home and these things she can use.
"I will explain the whole story when I come back" when she asked why I was in such a hurry. "Happy Deepawali", I screamed while rushing down the steps with my two bags.
Hell!! When will I learn to travel light!!
9:06 PM: I was loading my bags into the auto with the help of the "autowala". This was surprising. I have never received a helping hand from "autowalas" in Bangalore.
Bless him with all happiness!!
"Let's go, Indiranagar."
We need to stop at the travel agent, which is close-by to ask him the exact directions to the bus-stop.
200mts and I asked the "autowala" to stop. Since I couldn't leave my luggage in the auto under the surveillance of "autowala", I requested him to go to the travel agent with my ticket and understand the directions. He agreed easily. Another surprise!!
I waited for two minutes and he was back. He said don't worry ma'am, I know the place. I said, “thank you”.
We invaded through the notorious Airport Road traffic and finally after fifteen minutes we reached a place full of travel agents and buses. "Autowala" said, "ma'am this is the place."
If this is not the place, then hiring another auto would be difficult. It is almost 9:30 PM. I can't afford to be left at a wrong place. I should ask him to go and confirm with the travel agent outlets.
"Can you can take my ticket once again and find out where exactly should I be waiting?"
I guess I was asking too much of him now, as he looked a bit hesitant this time. Nevertheless, he said, ok!
"I am sorry! I am asking you to do so much. But I cannot leave my luggage here and go! ", I spoke my mind.
"No problem, ma'am. I know you are in trouble and it is my duty to help a woman in trouble", he replied.
What!! Did I hear the right words; an "autowala" from Bangalore uttering such words. Un-believable!!
"Thank-you, you are the first "autowala", who has behaved in this way. Bless you and your family", I conveyed my sincere gratitude.
He went and found out, that we are at the right place and I should be waiting across the road. I was about to get down from the auto with my luggage when he asked me to remain seated; he would take me across the road on auto. I was so thankful that I got such a conscientious person today.
I handed over a note of hundred rupees to my savior, and asked him to keep it without returning any change back to me. Finally, I got down and breathed a sigh of relief.
[Reader's of this write-up: Like me please do not breathe a sigh of relief. I know it was a lengthy write-up on my experience and of-course my friends out there must be relieved that finally my ordeal had come to an end. But dear pals, please realize, I haven't reached Bhubaneswar yet, I have just reached a point where I have to start my journey. :)
More to come, very soon]
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