Fleeced!

When late in a new city and dependant on public transport you should know you are going to get fleeced. Or I should. At least, by now.

I scrambled to get onto the train to Jamshedpur and relied on a fast talking cabbie, from the moment I got in and he started his sales pitch I knew I was in for it. On the way back I struggled on the availability of a cab / auto and paid the price again.

The story of catching cabs across India (except) Mumbai can make for a book itself. In that I am convinced. The haggling, the making of pals, the convincing – to take him to your destination, the one in ten friendly cabbie who will try and smooze 10 rupees of you at the end of the trip... its an endless story.

All’s well ends well though. Philosophically at least. I made all my trains and flights this trip. Got a great cabbie when I needed a chat. Got a cabbie who took me to a juice place and to a great paan place. AND a got a cab ride that helped me take this photograph below.

So... Happy Diwali and happy cab riding :)

Sheer Exhaustion, Sagarmatha & Nice Homes

I’ve been sleeping quite badly over the last week. That means I am running low on fuel when I walk into a meeting or a gathering and its proving to be quite the killer. Nearly missed my train this morning, being surly around the house, not eating well (:(). I think I mind the last the most!

The morning flight from Delhi to Cal took us over Aligarh, Lucknow, Varanasi etc. At 32,000 feet one can see a lot if you’re on the window seat... not for my co passenger though, the chap was too busy snoring – loudly enough as if tryong to drown out the noise of the 2 jets powering the Boeing.

I had been staring out of the window from across the aisle when the pilot came on over the PA to say, “.... and its a clear sky, if you look to your left you will see the great Himalayas with the tallest mountain being everest...” Everest!! I suddenly realized that this might be my first real life citing of the Everest massif. I wish I was better at spotting mountains but one did seem to distinctly stand out. wow!

Good day back in cal. I feel familiar with the city now. I had a great evening with a very sweet couple in the family. They have an amazing house in New Alipore, gravel drive, polished wood in the living room, well shot family albums, a sense of serenity about their life and great food. I want to build a home like that one day. And man I never knew caramel custard could taste so good!

Even though I was back early and slept fitfully I slept through the damn alarm and had to get ready in 5 minutes and dash to the train station this morning. HORRIBLE in train meal that’s making the good old stomach churn. I think I’ll be fine if I get a good night’s sleep soon.

Btw – I know I am a traveling here, so it’s easy to like the city but I feel a sense of history about Cal that is intoxicating. I think the couple and theri house last night and with me getting on in the head, makes me want to, very quickly, move to place where I live close to the hills. I am done with living in whitewashedy government houses, PG’s, rooms etc. It’s time to make pots of money and build me a chalet!

GO GABOLI!