Finally….
I am finishing this Goa trip today. I know everyone has lost interest in it but I believe that everything that’s started should be ended sooner or later.
So we did reach Titos, it was around 09:00 and the disc was empty. There were a few very elite looking families having dinner with sheer elegance and following all possible table manners which King Arthur would have laid down when he established Britain as an independent country. There kids wanted to run around and play and create havoc but were given a look of a lifetime by these so called high society people. I feel sorry for these kids whose lives have been surrounded by manners. Am happy that I was not born in such rich and as Chhaya says “Fu Fu” families.
We kinda got bored there so we thought would go back to our room take a shower and then come back. So we took our Activa and reached hotel. As usual I told Sudeep to go first and get ready, I have this habit of getting ready in the end because I can not wait after getting ready and Sudeep as usual did as I said. I lied on the bed, was a little tired. I was thinking about a lot of things some of which cant even mention here and in between all this I suddenly thought should check how much money I have in my wallet. And as soon as I put my hand in my back pocket my eyes popped out and my hands went numb. My wallet was not there, I searched every where possible in the room then went back and checked downstairs from where I had come but I hate this word “BUT”. Sudeep came out and we were off to Anjuna to if ya if see we could get it back, I know it was stupid but then hope is what has always done it for me so thought will give it a shot. We did try our level best but all in vain. Meanwhile I blocked all my cards and was thinking what will I do without my credit card? It was like the end of the vacation and that too a very sad one. Called up my bro and told him and to my astonishment he was as cool as a cucumber (I have taken that simile from Sidhu’s book). We headed to Anjuna police station and launched a complained and by the time we were back in hotel it was 11:30 and I was completely exhausted and in no mood to do anything but then Sudeep did tell me what I keep telling people; that life is too short to crib about such petty things so lets not waste it and even my brother told me the same, so I thought wats gone is gone lets forget it and just have fun. I got up shaved and took a shower wore some nice perfume and we were all ready for Titos. We reached there by around 12:30 and now people had started pouring in. The best thing was that no one bothered about the other everyone was too busy enjoying the music and dancing and not to forget alcohol.
It is here that I realized how important it is to have a girl with you when u go partying. But then it was a fun of its own kind.
We danced danced and danced till it was almost 5. The best thing about the disc was the bouncers. I have never seen such alert and strict bouncers. They would have thrown out a minimum of 15 people in front of me for not behaving properly. Everyone specially the girls did feel secure dancing.
We were back in our room by around 5:30. Slept for a while and it is shocking but ya we were up and ready by 8:00 to leave for Aguada fort and old Goa. We reached Aguada by 9:30 after a little breakfast. Trust me it is anything but a fort. There is nothing to see, am sorry if u guys think I have no sense of beauty. It is the worst fort I had ever seen. After living in Rajasthan I expected a fort of that stature but alas there was nothing but stupid walls, but any ways we found out that this fort was made for resting and refilling the Portuguese ships in olden times.
We left the fort in like 20 minutes and we drove towards Old Goa. We did see some beautiful churches but the best thing was seeing the real Goa, the way people live, the way they walk, they way they laugh, it was like am back in Portuguese times. Life is so relaxed and cool here. It’s like just eat drink and be merry. After roaming here and there in Old Goa and seeing all possible churches we left for South Goa. We wanted some peace and we knew that south Goa is comparatively less crowded…..
Next entry would be on South Goa and Sacha!!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Tattoo
Finally!!!
Ya ya I know it has been too long and all the fizz from the trip is over but just didn’t have time. Sorry for the delay but better late then never. So where were we ya…
We were on a beach in Goa. The first beach we hit was Calangut. And the first thing I said as soon as I hit the beach was “What the F***”. It was like the most crowded beach I had ever seen. After seeing the beaches of dakshin kannada I was expecting clean serene beaches with limited people, but I was on a beach with all a whole lot of Janata and it was not even a clean beach.
I looked at Sudeep and he gave me a look which said “This may be a fuck up but we still have lots to explore and there are so many hot chicks here”. Checking out hot girls was the last thing that I had on my mind. I looked towards the sea and thought what’s the use ruining the vacation so let’s enjoy where ever we are. We went for a walk across the whole stretch of the beach and then settled in a shack to grab a bite as we were starving. This sea was actually doing something to our appetite. We ordered and sat there facing the sea and now after like half and hour of us being on the beach I was getting back to my self. My eyes started looking out for some hot chicks and they did not have to search too far just behind us there were some really stunning girls and not 1 or 2 but 4 of them. Trust me girls look the best in black and all 4 of them were wearing black. Both of us had a twinkle in our eyes. We were actually behaving like teenagers. But soon they left and we were disappointed. Not that we were expecting to get anything by staring at them but then this little fun made us happy. As soon as they left we got back to staring at the sea. Wow that transition was fast.
By the time we finished eating it was dark and the beach was well lit. we were sitting and discussing about movies when a kid came up to Sudeep and asked him if he wanted to get a tattoo and as usual Mr. Shukla looked at me, I was like don ask me I don like tattoos anyways. The kid pestering Sudeep and then finally after a little money negotiations the tattoo session began. It was a good work done by the kid, and seeing that even I got tempted to get one made and I actually did it…. I cant believe that I did it but you see Goa makes you do weird stuff…
Ya ya I know it has been too long and all the fizz from the trip is over but just didn’t have time. Sorry for the delay but better late then never. So where were we ya…
We were on a beach in Goa. The first beach we hit was Calangut. And the first thing I said as soon as I hit the beach was “What the F***”. It was like the most crowded beach I had ever seen. After seeing the beaches of dakshin kannada I was expecting clean serene beaches with limited people, but I was on a beach with all a whole lot of Janata and it was not even a clean beach.
I looked at Sudeep and he gave me a look which said “This may be a fuck up but we still have lots to explore and there are so many hot chicks here”. Checking out hot girls was the last thing that I had on my mind. I looked towards the sea and thought what’s the use ruining the vacation so let’s enjoy where ever we are. We went for a walk across the whole stretch of the beach and then settled in a shack to grab a bite as we were starving. This sea was actually doing something to our appetite. We ordered and sat there facing the sea and now after like half and hour of us being on the beach I was getting back to my self. My eyes started looking out for some hot chicks and they did not have to search too far just behind us there were some really stunning girls and not 1 or 2 but 4 of them. Trust me girls look the best in black and all 4 of them were wearing black. Both of us had a twinkle in our eyes. We were actually behaving like teenagers. But soon they left and we were disappointed. Not that we were expecting to get anything by staring at them but then this little fun made us happy. As soon as they left we got back to staring at the sea. Wow that transition was fast.
By the time we finished eating it was dark and the beach was well lit. we were sitting and discussing about movies when a kid came up to Sudeep and asked him if he wanted to get a tattoo and as usual Mr. Shukla looked at me, I was like don ask me I don like tattoos anyways. The kid pestering Sudeep and then finally after a little money negotiations the tattoo session began. It was a good work done by the kid, and seeing that even I got tempted to get one made and I actually did it…. I cant believe that I did it but you see Goa makes you do weird stuff…
Monday, January 19, 2009
We hit the Beach
Finally!!!!
We had a vehicle at our disposal for next 4 days, our wallets were loaded and we were in the best of our moods. All was set for a great time. We hopped on the bike, somehow adjusted the luggage in the front and took off. The Pilot who had helped us getting the bike showed us the way to the highway and as usual, as soon as we were on highway both of us started singing. This is one thing you should know about Sudeeep, he thinks he is an amazing singer, ya I know I know even I think the same but I do realize what the reality is. Anyways that being aside we took off, it was a very clear day, without a speck of a cloud. We were in our own world.
We silently drove for what would have been like 10 minutes, but they seemed like a long long time, I generally get very uneasy when I am with someone and we are silent. I hate silence or rather I should say am scared of silence. But both us knew why we did not speak because both of us were thinking about Manipal. Yes indeed we were, about the good old times, the good old friends and the great experiences. We both knew what we were thinking but we also knew we are not suppose to talk about it. It is what we call the Taboo topic. It was a very uneasy situation and I was getting restless and suddenly I spoke and it was not a very great thing to say at that time, I told Sudeep that we had forgotten to fill the petrol and there goes all the memories in the drain and we are thrown in the reality where we saw the fuel meter reaching the empty mark with a normal speed but we could see it getting over at a very rapid speed. Sudeep was still driving and my job was to look for any petrol pump, and there was none, we drove for like next 15 minutes without any petrol pump, we were sure that the petrol would get over soon and our misery will start.
And that’s when my scientific brain worked and I thought that for Goa and just for goa, I should invent vehicles which run on Vodka, Beer, Whisky, Rum or even Feni would do, because that’s the only thing I saw every where. Our hearts were coming to our mouths that any second the vehicle will die. But suddenly we saw a HP petrol pump, we were as happy as a nomad who has got a fresh water lake in middle of a desert. We reached there and without thinking Sudeep said “Tank full”. Relieved after filling the petrol tank and buying 2 bottles of water to prevent us from getting dehydrated in this hot and humid climate, we again started more relaxed and more excited. And again we started with our singing and this time with a greater zeal, I could actually remember how I and Vaibhav used to go to Maharaja college on our bicycles and used to sing all the way, I could think of all the crappy songs that he used to sing in those days. But it was fun, yes Vaihav it was great. Ok not getting away from the topic. We drove, drove and drove for like next half 45 minutes and then Mr. Sudeep wanted to smoke so I said lemme drive he was a little skeptical because I am not a very good driver but then its me who said so he like a good boy agreed.
I sat on the driver’s seat and he lit the cigarette at almost the same time. This time around I realized driving is not all that bad. We drove silently. I was lost in my own thoughts about how I wanted to buy a chauffer driven car and Sudeep as usual am sure was thinking about some girl and enjoying his Gudang Garam. He would have smoked a couple of cigarettes and then he asked me that he wanted to drive, I said I will drive on the highways and when we reach the city he can do the honours and he agreed. I was loving it. The life looked so relaxed and lazy, every where people were just roaming around, the houses looked so beautiful and serene, and they had big gardens in front of every house, which I had always dreamed of . I so wished that I have a house in Goa with a huge garden where I could have a basket ball ring and a cricket net. But alas long way to go till I get all this. Thinking about all this we did not realize when we reached the junction where we had to take a separate way to Calangut. I again left the drivers seat and allowed my fried to do the driving honours.
We reached Calangut by around 2 in the afternoon. We reached the area near the beach where the vehicles were parked, it was congested and the first look told me that no I do not want to live here, but still we enquired at one place who said that they have a sea facing room for 2500 Rs. I told to Sudeep, sorry mate we are not taking it and he also said yes to it. Then Mr. Jugaad called up a know person whose number he had got from some one in Mumbai (This shows how excited he was about coming to Goa) and asked if they had a place and yes we did get a room, non AC for 1200 bucks, not a bad deal at this time of a year. We reached the hotel and checked in the room. We were tired and wanted to sleep, but we knew it that sleeping is such a waste of time. So we took a bath yes one by one. Stop laughing you guys. And then like studs again boarded our Activa and we did hit the first of our beaches in Goa…..
The night is yet to come and so is Titos…
Cheers
“THE RAJAT”
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
From Station to Activa
Finally!!!
I stood on the platform, rock solid trying to digest the fact that I was in Goa. I was just not able to believe that I am here, it was a day back that I was in the office slogging my A** out with those clients and here I am in the land of churches, bridges, sun, sand, sea and yes not to forget DARU.
I just closed my eyes for a good minute or so and felt the warm moist wind lash my face. I just wanted to feel Goa before I start experiencing it. I wanted to live every moment I spend there. I just wanted to be sure that it has happened.
I was still in my half unconscious state when Sudeep shook me and that’s when I realized for once and for all that yes I am in Goa, and that when I realized another very important thing that we were hungry like crazy. Sudeep wanted to first check in and then eat something he wanted to settle down and then enjoy the lunch, but I wanted to eat first because food was the only thing I could think of at that time so after a small discussion (Which actually was an argument) we did what we always do, follow what I said, this is the second thing which I love about Sudeep, he never does anything which I do not approve (other then one thing, which he always does without my consent). We went to the railway canteen and not in mood to experiment anything ordered normal “Proper food” I know Balu will make fun of this term but I still insist to call north Indian food as proper food (sorry for the biases).
Once we were full and stuffed, we decided to proceed. As soon as we stepped out of the station there were these pilots who surrounded us and started asking us where we want to go, now it’s a situation I can not handle, I get very nervous. Sudeep suggested that we should go to the Goa tourism counter on the station but then we reminded ourselves that we are on an unplanned trip and we are supposed to explore places on our own, so we walked past these pilots who looked us as if we were the game ready to be hunted down. Suddenly we saw this man who was standing at a little distance from this crowd. We went to him and asked him if he would get us a bike on rent, he unlike every other person talked to us in a very calm tone and said that he would take us to the Madgaon town and there we would get a good vehicle for reasonable amount. We asked him what would be his charges and he said it would be 80 bucks, me and Sudeep looked at each other and we knew that both of think it’s too much but for some reason we decided to agree with him.
It was a Pulsar that we took, he took us to the main city, the roads were narrow and reminded at the first instant of any other small Indian town but as I entered the town I realized it has a little European touch but people were Indian in every possible way. We reached the town and enquired at a few places but did not get any vehicle so we decided to go to Colva beach as our pilot told us that there we will get more options and a good bargain. He took us to a small house outside which 4 Activa were parked. This is business number one which you can do in Goa, giving bikes and vehicles on hire. This is one of the businesses which would never go in loss. Here only we first saw effect of terrorism on travel and tourism industry. We got a bike (I will refer activa as bike only) on hire for just 300 bucks per day, here we realized how much the business is affected due to Mumbai blasts. When he said 350 we were shocked and very happy but like true Indians we still bargained and got the rates down to 300. He asked for out license and Sudeep gave it to him, he asked for mine and I said I don drive Bhaiya, he warned us not to drive without license and always wear a helmet while on highways, which we chose to ignore. He also wanted to keep something with him as guarantee, Sudeep could not give his license so I had to give my PAN card, I was not very comfortable giving it because it is the only proof I have of being an Indian citizen but then I gave it as there was no other options. I did not know at that time what a great decision it will turn out to be in next couple of days. The guy told us that we have to return the bike after 4 days and to fill petrol and take good care of the bike. We paid the money in advance, which again was a great decision which came to our rescue later. And by the way Sudeep wanted to take a Pulsar but we took Activa because it was practically impossible to carry all the luggage we had on a bike, so again Sudeep had to agree with me.
And yes we took off for Panjim
Cheers
Rajat
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Journey begins
Finally!!!!
We reached the station. It was around 11:45 by then and we entered the station with the same speed and anxiety as a warrior enters a battle field. And I am not calling myself a warrior for no reason, you will know how it suits me.
The feelings were mixed, we were excited, happy, surprised and also tired. But the spirits were as high as ever. I entered one of the compartments and I knew it the moment I entered the train that we have to sit near the gate for the night. Sudeep told me to be there in the compartment while he went to search for place if any in other coaches. As soon as he left, for some reason I was sure that he will find out a place. This is something which I admire about him, the JUGAD (Arrangements) that he can make for everything.
Within like next 5 minutes he called me and told me to walk towards the end of train. I walked towards the end of the train but now i ws feeling that I would not get a place to sit and guess what do I see as soon as I reach the last coach, it was empty with an exception of 4-5 students who were also going to Goa (thats what I anticipated). I just could not believe that we are going to get an empty compartment where we are going to sleep like a king (Again you will know why I call myself a king here) whole night and I now I was thinking that this is gonna be a great journey.
And yes this was the moment, the train started to leave the platform and my excitement was crossing all boundaries. But even my excitement was not able to match the smile on Sudeep's face. He was in a shock that we are actually leaving. He was just not able to contain his happiness and soon he got engrossed in a times travel book which he had bought, to find out everything about Goa. He was reading as if he will write a book on Goa himself and that to tonight.
With him engrossed in the book, I took his media player and started listening to songs, and the first song I heard was apt for the moment, it was Shaan's "Aankhon mein sapne liye". I closed my eyes and started imagining Goa and how are next few days gonna be. My mind was wandering through all my memories and travel experiences and I was feeling that my mind is searching for a particular memory. After searching for a good one hour where it went through almost all the journey's of my life, (I do not really remember which all songs I heard in that hour) it got stuck at the one which it wanted me to remember, but I had to wash away that memory as quickly as possible because I was sure it will ruin my whole trip. Thankfully at that moment the train stopped and that was the last moment in the whole night when I sat like human beings.
And now the struggle starts, suddenly there was this huge whirlpool of human bodies which entered the coach, It was like every person from Kalyan wants to go by this train only. The coach was packed in no time I was getting suffocated. By god's grace the train started moving and there was some air. It was amazing the way so many people had settled down in such a small coach and all of them had managed to get some place for themselves and also for the luggage.
You can never know the utility and necessity of a train and the love Indians possessed for it till you travel in one. No one in the country prefers a bus, even though in trains they will travel like cattle stuffed in a small compartment, still a train is preferred. There are quite a few reasons for this mentality. Firstly trains are inexpensive (I deliberately do not use the word cheap) as compared to bus, then there is a surety that it will reach the destination and even though we know that the each and every corner of the train will be stuffed with human beings (in some cases even animals), the optimistic that we Indians are always board the train with a feeling that we will get space to stretch out legs which we can not do in the bus.
Ya so I was talking about the love we Indians have for our trains. As soon as the train started moving, the love started oozing out in form of peanuts, banana peels and all kinds of kachra. In no time the floor was covered with them. It was a feeling of elation that how much love we have for Indian railways and this is when I realised that literacy has nothing to do with this, the students who were sitting there and the other people who looks literate were the ones creating the mess. I felt this immediate urge to tell them not to do this but then got caught in a typical Indian mentality, who cares this train anyways will be cleaned tomorrow. I hate myself for that.
Soon everything in the train got settled and my nostrils were filled with a different kinds of smell. They were of food, sweat, and ya smoke from the 'n' number of bidis and cigarettes. Its strange that in this chaos where no one was able to move also people managed to take out there cigarettes and smoke them.
I was the lucky one to have got the window seat so I could just smell the fresh air from outside. It ws getting cold and with this cool gush of wind I did not realise when I went off to sleep. I was woken up by a lady, who requested me to share the seat with her and I thinking she is a lady obliged her with it, but this one was the first mistake which I made in this whole trip and with in like next 15 minutes I was sitting in just 20% of the seat and the rest was occupied by her. Luckily she had to get down after 2 station so after she got down i git my seat and I felt like I have regained my throne and I was adamant on protecting it at any cost. I was fully aware of the wars that I would have to fight to save my throne and I was ready to fight it out. There were a lot of times when I almost lost it. People used Sam, Dam, Dand and Bhed and every possible trick to dethrone me but I didnt budge and suddenly I realise that it was Sawantwadi and I was again the king of my castle (Coach). We were just 10 odd people in the coach and I had won the war. But is war had taken its toll on me and my back was hurting like crazy. I looked out for a empty berth and just lied down there, and fell asleep instantly, suddenly I get up and see Sudeep yelling like crazy that we had reached Madgaon. Oh shit we were suppose to get down at in North Goa and we have reached South. I packed my things in a hurry and literally jumped out from the train.
This was my first step in Goa. I did not know that this one small step taken by me is taking me to new levels and perceptions about life. As soon as got down at Madgaon station was one thing I could smell there and that was Alcohol, which I later realised is the only smell I was gonna have for next 5 days. Thanks to my friend.
The vacation has started, but the real fun begins the next entry, where we explore GOA.....
Cheers
"THE RAJAT"
We reached the station. It was around 11:45 by then and we entered the station with the same speed and anxiety as a warrior enters a battle field. And I am not calling myself a warrior for no reason, you will know how it suits me.
The feelings were mixed, we were excited, happy, surprised and also tired. But the spirits were as high as ever. I entered one of the compartments and I knew it the moment I entered the train that we have to sit near the gate for the night. Sudeep told me to be there in the compartment while he went to search for place if any in other coaches. As soon as he left, for some reason I was sure that he will find out a place. This is something which I admire about him, the JUGAD (Arrangements) that he can make for everything.
Within like next 5 minutes he called me and told me to walk towards the end of train. I walked towards the end of the train but now i ws feeling that I would not get a place to sit and guess what do I see as soon as I reach the last coach, it was empty with an exception of 4-5 students who were also going to Goa (thats what I anticipated). I just could not believe that we are going to get an empty compartment where we are going to sleep like a king (Again you will know why I call myself a king here) whole night and I now I was thinking that this is gonna be a great journey.
And yes this was the moment, the train started to leave the platform and my excitement was crossing all boundaries. But even my excitement was not able to match the smile on Sudeep's face. He was in a shock that we are actually leaving. He was just not able to contain his happiness and soon he got engrossed in a times travel book which he had bought, to find out everything about Goa. He was reading as if he will write a book on Goa himself and that to tonight.
With him engrossed in the book, I took his media player and started listening to songs, and the first song I heard was apt for the moment, it was Shaan's "Aankhon mein sapne liye". I closed my eyes and started imagining Goa and how are next few days gonna be. My mind was wandering through all my memories and travel experiences and I was feeling that my mind is searching for a particular memory. After searching for a good one hour where it went through almost all the journey's of my life, (I do not really remember which all songs I heard in that hour) it got stuck at the one which it wanted me to remember, but I had to wash away that memory as quickly as possible because I was sure it will ruin my whole trip. Thankfully at that moment the train stopped and that was the last moment in the whole night when I sat like human beings.
And now the struggle starts, suddenly there was this huge whirlpool of human bodies which entered the coach, It was like every person from Kalyan wants to go by this train only. The coach was packed in no time I was getting suffocated. By god's grace the train started moving and there was some air. It was amazing the way so many people had settled down in such a small coach and all of them had managed to get some place for themselves and also for the luggage.
You can never know the utility and necessity of a train and the love Indians possessed for it till you travel in one. No one in the country prefers a bus, even though in trains they will travel like cattle stuffed in a small compartment, still a train is preferred. There are quite a few reasons for this mentality. Firstly trains are inexpensive (I deliberately do not use the word cheap) as compared to bus, then there is a surety that it will reach the destination and even though we know that the each and every corner of the train will be stuffed with human beings (in some cases even animals), the optimistic that we Indians are always board the train with a feeling that we will get space to stretch out legs which we can not do in the bus.
Ya so I was talking about the love we Indians have for our trains. As soon as the train started moving, the love started oozing out in form of peanuts, banana peels and all kinds of kachra. In no time the floor was covered with them. It was a feeling of elation that how much love we have for Indian railways and this is when I realised that literacy has nothing to do with this, the students who were sitting there and the other people who looks literate were the ones creating the mess. I felt this immediate urge to tell them not to do this but then got caught in a typical Indian mentality, who cares this train anyways will be cleaned tomorrow. I hate myself for that.
Soon everything in the train got settled and my nostrils were filled with a different kinds of smell. They were of food, sweat, and ya smoke from the 'n' number of bidis and cigarettes. Its strange that in this chaos where no one was able to move also people managed to take out there cigarettes and smoke them.
I was the lucky one to have got the window seat so I could just smell the fresh air from outside. It ws getting cold and with this cool gush of wind I did not realise when I went off to sleep. I was woken up by a lady, who requested me to share the seat with her and I thinking she is a lady obliged her with it, but this one was the first mistake which I made in this whole trip and with in like next 15 minutes I was sitting in just 20% of the seat and the rest was occupied by her. Luckily she had to get down after 2 station so after she got down i git my seat and I felt like I have regained my throne and I was adamant on protecting it at any cost. I was fully aware of the wars that I would have to fight to save my throne and I was ready to fight it out. There were a lot of times when I almost lost it. People used Sam, Dam, Dand and Bhed and every possible trick to dethrone me but I didnt budge and suddenly I realise that it was Sawantwadi and I was again the king of my castle (Coach). We were just 10 odd people in the coach and I had won the war. But is war had taken its toll on me and my back was hurting like crazy. I looked out for a empty berth and just lied down there, and fell asleep instantly, suddenly I get up and see Sudeep yelling like crazy that we had reached Madgaon. Oh shit we were suppose to get down at in North Goa and we have reached South. I packed my things in a hurry and literally jumped out from the train.
This was my first step in Goa. I did not know that this one small step taken by me is taking me to new levels and perceptions about life. As soon as got down at Madgaon station was one thing I could smell there and that was Alcohol, which I later realised is the only smell I was gonna have for next 5 days. Thanks to my friend.
The vacation has started, but the real fun begins the next entry, where we explore GOA.....
Cheers
"THE RAJAT"
Monday, January 5, 2009
First Step to the vacation
Finally!!!
The holidays were starting and I had planned to finish my work by 5:30 and leave for station so that I can catch the 6:30 train to Mumbai. But as usual clients had straws dug into my body for sucking my blood and even though I kinda like Irina, at that moment I just wanted to strangle her to death. Because of her in no time it was 6:00 pm and I was still in office.
Some how I managed to leave the office by 6:15 pm and now the law of averages follows me, the traffic which is least on the road to station at that hour of the day was at its zenith on Dec 24. I was so sure that I will miss the train and will have to spend 3 times the money to go by bus, I even considered going directly to the bus stand but then something in me said that whats the harm in trying, so I went to station. I should listen more often to my brain. Sitting in the auto I was getting really restless and by god's grace autowala sensed it, he was a nice person so he did drive at the maximum speed and with the utmost precision. I really owe him one.
As soon as I reached the station my eyes widened in shock and then automatically they were shut in a feeling of losing a war. I realised I am in India and I am never getting this train. The line for the ticket was a never ending one and I was sure if I stand there waiting for my chance to come I will reach Mumbai by next Christmas.
So I tried acting a little smart and went to the person standing third in the line and asked him to buy a for me, and I swear if looks could kill then I would have died at that very instance. I thought moving away would be a good idea, but then I had to find another bakra. And ya i did get one, he was standing just behind the "Man who can kill with his looks" and he volunteered to buy me a ticket, may be seeing my innocent and hassled face (Ya I can make such faces when needed). He bought me a ticket and then both of us realised that he has both the tickets in one so we were stuck together. I did not want to be with him but then most of the times life does not give you a choice.
Anyways we ran and somehow managed to catch the train and once we were inside I get to know that the man had got both the tickets till Thane and I will need to get down at Thane. I felt like killing him (I did not want to travel for 2 hours in a local) but then he had helped me so I had to smile and say its okie. it was not a very convincing start to my vacation but then I was backpacking and this is expected in unplanned trip and at the back of my mind I was loving the surprises and was longing for them.
As usual there was no place to sit in the train so I stood near the door (That is my favourite place in the train) and soon I was dreaming about what fun I am gonna have during my vacations. I almost slept off and ya i even had a dream which as usual was about me being really rich. Suddenly I was woken up by a call from Sudeep. I told him that my ticket is only till Thane and I will get down there, take a local and come, the great ass that he is suggested me to take the same train as no one will come to check, but I have lived for 23 years with the most ethical person possible on earth (My Dad) so I decided to get down on Thane and take a local.
Traveling in the unreserved compartment is the best way to learn about India. The number of vendors in the compartment with the enormous and different kinds of products and a talent to make place for themselves in the most crowded areas on earth is just amazing and you will never ever get to experience it if you do not travel in an unreserved compartment.
Soon I was getting bored of sitting ideal, as no one was yelling, fighting, crying or talking in the compartment which was very strange. The boredom was getting to my nerves. I could not even lie down and sleep, this is a adverse effect of unplanned holiday, you have to adjust a little too much. For a split second I thought I should have got the reservation but I blew that idea away with the same speed as it has come to me. I was determined to travel without planning because thats what I love about traveling. Then I saw a vendor with books and I thought I would buy one to pass the time and guess which one I get to see first, "Thousand Splendid Suns" by Kite Runner fame Khaled Husseni. I was longing to read it for a long time and I guess how much I got it for, just 100 bucks. I bought it at once and started reading it I got so engrossed in it that I didnt even realised that it was Thane, the person who bought my ticket had to tell me to get down. I thanked him once again (although only half heartedly, the other half was cursing him)
I got down at Thane. It was my first step on the station which boasts of receiving the first train in the country. I had never seen such a weird and disorganized station (of course Pune being and exception) where no one, not even the porters know where to get a ticket from. Some how I found out and bought the ticket and boarded the train to VT. And from there on Sudeep and Kanika started calling me up like crazy to find out about my where abouts and I did not even have battery in my cell phone. The amount of calls I received from them put together would be more then the total calls I receive in a month (Just Glorifying the truth). I was hating it and getting really irritated, partly also because I was going through a very interesting chapter in the book and Kanika like an idiot kept calling and telling me the story. I thought for switching off my phone but then I realised they would get worried.
Now I have reached VT and here I see a tall and a lanky figure with a bag heavier then himself. It was great meeting Sudeep after a long long time. The smile on his face was contagious. I have never seen him this excited (Other then when we had gone to Gokarna). He had already bought the tickets and was just ready to run to Goa, so we directly went to platform no. 9 and when we saw the crowd in the train I was sure that its gonna be a bad journey. Both of us gave confidence to each other that we wanted an unplanned trip and thats how they are and tried to board the train. I have never wanted to have a huge built before this. I so wanted to have a great body so that I can puch and make place for myself, but alas my body is what they call "Haat agarbatti, pair mombatti" and Sudeep is to my god even my baap in it.
Both of us were hungry and we were sure if some how we are able to board this train we will only get to eat after we reach our destination so we decided to go have dinner and then catch a 12:00 midnight wala train.
Dinner was in Barista where we just had some sandwiches and coffee. I was too excited about the trip and to scared that we may miss the train so some how i gobbled up my food and rushed to the station. Sudeep started behaving like a millionaire from that moment, he bought a mineral water bottle for 20 bucks from Barista which we would have got only for 10 bucks outside, but thats the way he is carefree and bindass.
One of the best vacations I have had in my life begins in the next entry......
Cheers
"THE RAJAT"
The holidays were starting and I had planned to finish my work by 5:30 and leave for station so that I can catch the 6:30 train to Mumbai. But as usual clients had straws dug into my body for sucking my blood and even though I kinda like Irina, at that moment I just wanted to strangle her to death. Because of her in no time it was 6:00 pm and I was still in office.
Some how I managed to leave the office by 6:15 pm and now the law of averages follows me, the traffic which is least on the road to station at that hour of the day was at its zenith on Dec 24. I was so sure that I will miss the train and will have to spend 3 times the money to go by bus, I even considered going directly to the bus stand but then something in me said that whats the harm in trying, so I went to station. I should listen more often to my brain. Sitting in the auto I was getting really restless and by god's grace autowala sensed it, he was a nice person so he did drive at the maximum speed and with the utmost precision. I really owe him one.
As soon as I reached the station my eyes widened in shock and then automatically they were shut in a feeling of losing a war. I realised I am in India and I am never getting this train. The line for the ticket was a never ending one and I was sure if I stand there waiting for my chance to come I will reach Mumbai by next Christmas.
So I tried acting a little smart and went to the person standing third in the line and asked him to buy a for me, and I swear if looks could kill then I would have died at that very instance. I thought moving away would be a good idea, but then I had to find another bakra. And ya i did get one, he was standing just behind the "Man who can kill with his looks" and he volunteered to buy me a ticket, may be seeing my innocent and hassled face (Ya I can make such faces when needed). He bought me a ticket and then both of us realised that he has both the tickets in one so we were stuck together. I did not want to be with him but then most of the times life does not give you a choice.
Anyways we ran and somehow managed to catch the train and once we were inside I get to know that the man had got both the tickets till Thane and I will need to get down at Thane. I felt like killing him (I did not want to travel for 2 hours in a local) but then he had helped me so I had to smile and say its okie. it was not a very convincing start to my vacation but then I was backpacking and this is expected in unplanned trip and at the back of my mind I was loving the surprises and was longing for them.
As usual there was no place to sit in the train so I stood near the door (That is my favourite place in the train) and soon I was dreaming about what fun I am gonna have during my vacations. I almost slept off and ya i even had a dream which as usual was about me being really rich. Suddenly I was woken up by a call from Sudeep. I told him that my ticket is only till Thane and I will get down there, take a local and come, the great ass that he is suggested me to take the same train as no one will come to check, but I have lived for 23 years with the most ethical person possible on earth (My Dad) so I decided to get down on Thane and take a local.
Traveling in the unreserved compartment is the best way to learn about India. The number of vendors in the compartment with the enormous and different kinds of products and a talent to make place for themselves in the most crowded areas on earth is just amazing and you will never ever get to experience it if you do not travel in an unreserved compartment.
Soon I was getting bored of sitting ideal, as no one was yelling, fighting, crying or talking in the compartment which was very strange. The boredom was getting to my nerves. I could not even lie down and sleep, this is a adverse effect of unplanned holiday, you have to adjust a little too much. For a split second I thought I should have got the reservation but I blew that idea away with the same speed as it has come to me. I was determined to travel without planning because thats what I love about traveling. Then I saw a vendor with books and I thought I would buy one to pass the time and guess which one I get to see first, "Thousand Splendid Suns" by Kite Runner fame Khaled Husseni. I was longing to read it for a long time and I guess how much I got it for, just 100 bucks. I bought it at once and started reading it I got so engrossed in it that I didnt even realised that it was Thane, the person who bought my ticket had to tell me to get down. I thanked him once again (although only half heartedly, the other half was cursing him)
I got down at Thane. It was my first step on the station which boasts of receiving the first train in the country. I had never seen such a weird and disorganized station (of course Pune being and exception) where no one, not even the porters know where to get a ticket from. Some how I found out and bought the ticket and boarded the train to VT. And from there on Sudeep and Kanika started calling me up like crazy to find out about my where abouts and I did not even have battery in my cell phone. The amount of calls I received from them put together would be more then the total calls I receive in a month (Just Glorifying the truth). I was hating it and getting really irritated, partly also because I was going through a very interesting chapter in the book and Kanika like an idiot kept calling and telling me the story. I thought for switching off my phone but then I realised they would get worried.
Now I have reached VT and here I see a tall and a lanky figure with a bag heavier then himself. It was great meeting Sudeep after a long long time. The smile on his face was contagious. I have never seen him this excited (Other then when we had gone to Gokarna). He had already bought the tickets and was just ready to run to Goa, so we directly went to platform no. 9 and when we saw the crowd in the train I was sure that its gonna be a bad journey. Both of us gave confidence to each other that we wanted an unplanned trip and thats how they are and tried to board the train. I have never wanted to have a huge built before this. I so wanted to have a great body so that I can puch and make place for myself, but alas my body is what they call "Haat agarbatti, pair mombatti" and Sudeep is to my god even my baap in it.
Both of us were hungry and we were sure if some how we are able to board this train we will only get to eat after we reach our destination so we decided to go have dinner and then catch a 12:00 midnight wala train.
Dinner was in Barista where we just had some sandwiches and coffee. I was too excited about the trip and to scared that we may miss the train so some how i gobbled up my food and rushed to the station. Sudeep started behaving like a millionaire from that moment, he bought a mineral water bottle for 20 bucks from Barista which we would have got only for 10 bucks outside, but thats the way he is carefree and bindass.
One of the best vacations I have had in my life begins in the next entry......
Cheers
"THE RAJAT"
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