Travel tales: When I have new found respect for few politicians

When you think of travelling alone that too ferrying your one year old prankster, the only thing that comes to mind is worries and discomfort. Of course all these things are a part of any mommy's life in varying degrees, but you occasionally come across strangers who knowingly or unknowingly make your travel easier, rather fun filled at times. Same happed to me this time around.

I was scheduled for a 2hour long flight to Dharamshala with sonny dearest and knowing his tantrums, I was secretly praying for him to sleep through this haul. However as it happens always, he got in the hyperactive mode right from the moment he stepped in the airport. His routine of  running around, shrieking and befriending strangers started. We got in the line to board the flight and I spotted a familiar looking elderly gentleman standing quietly in the line. I looked closely and realized that he was Mr Shanta kumar, the senior BJP leader from the region. He was minister in central govt earlier and has held many helm positions throughout his glorious career as a politician.

He was standing there quietly waiting for his turn and this behaviour is a miracle of sorts among Indian politicos who are known to throw their weight around in public places. I stooped ahead to introduce myself and he polietly replied with many queries about my life, work, family etc. Suddenly Parth started giggling and Mr Kumar noticed the youngster, and very calmy he started talking to Parth. Now how many times have you seen a seasoned politician doing that? Parth too smiled at all his queries and for a moment these two seemed best friends around. Then i took leave of him and got in the sky bus. He got a seat while me and parth were standing. Mr Kumar immediately got up and offered his seat to us. Another glimpse of the man and his values.

Later we boarded the plane and headed to our seats. This incident left me shell shocked and i have new found respect for Indian politicians. Whatever stuff the others are made of, but Mr Kumar and his breed of politicians are keeping the mill going in India. http://t.co/oRiaEcg4lQ

Amazing Andamans and the spoilers

Ah, finally I get to update the blog. Was cringing to update the blog for long. But some attributions kept me off from the cyber space for more than a month.

Have joined workplace again, albeit in a new avatar. Thanks to this new get up, I have a new found recognition in the office. Many hailed the ‘new look’. And still many others cheekily asked, “how’z it going?”

More on these concerns later.

Have many-many memories, moments and thoughts to share with blog readers. Here’s one such musing.

Spotted this one in the Andamans. Tourists who throng this beautiful and serene island surely know how to leave their pug marks. Please note the heap of garbage piled in front of a temple. Ugly spots like this will shoo away more travelers.

What say?



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Travel Tales: When strangers turn angels

This is one of my favourite memoirs. I was travelling to Shimla for a puja at home (PS: Shimla is my hometown, Delhi is my temporary hideout). It was the end of January and the temperatures were touching sub-zero levels. It was biting cold in Delhi. I was anticipating that it would be worst in Shimla. I packed enough woolens with me and covered myself from head to toe. I usually prefer an over-night journey to reach Shimla.

My journey started at 8pm from Delhi ISBT. I had booked a seat near window and was happy that there would be no disturbance. I plugged music into my ears and was lost in Smokie's "Who the f*#@k is Alice". Just then, a stranger came my way, pushing his huge rucksack against me and asking me if I could adjust it under my seat. He was mid-aged, well built man. There was some space at my end and he pleaded me to fit his stuff there.

I was irritated, and then mom's words hammered in my mind. "Don't speak to strangers, don't eat anything that strangers offer," are some of her favourite travel advices. I frowned at him and declined. He didn't say anything. I thought he was cheeky and decided to be at a distance from him.

Meanwhile, mum called up to inquire if I was comfortable. The journey from Delhi takes about 7-8 hours by bus. I had had a long day at office earlier and my head was aching. She adviced me to have coffee during the travel interval. I shrugged it off.

When the bus halted at Chandigarh, many passengers got down to grab eatables. I was dead asleep. My 'friendly' neighbour tapped my shoulder. He got coffee for me. He said, "I heard you talking to your mum. You have a headache. Please have this coffee. It will help you. I heard your mum saying the same". I stared at him. "No thanks. Please keep to yourself," was my curt reply. I cursed the damn Moto-Razer. This guy had heard every word of my conversation. "Thesh damn slim phones. You can overhear every word spoken into them. This guy has a glad eye," I declared in my mind. He left the place.

The journey re-started. Within 4 hours we reached Shimla bus stop. But boy.... it has started snowing there. It was 6am but seemed like midnight. It was pitch dark and dead cold outside. A sheat of snow covered the city. Amazing view, but I was stuck. How would I go home now?
I panicked and called dad. Initially my plan was to take a taxi back home, but then usually no taxis are available in such scenarios.

Actually, it becomes risky to drive in snowy weather. Shimla has very narrow roads, running up and down the slopes. Any vehicle can skid in bad weather conditions. In fact people prefer staying back homes .

Now this was true for dad as well. He asked me to wait for a while at the bus stop. He was hoping the weather would become clearer in next 2 hours, then he could drive down to ferry me. Most passengers had left the place. Most of them were families/couples and had figured some way to get back.

Being a lone woman traveller, I was stranded there. I picked up my stuff and stood in a corner. Along came my ‘friendly'neighbour. I had hoped that he too, like the others would have left the bus stop. He said," I heard you speaking to your dad. Your dad will take time to be here. Why do you want to wait in cold. My driver is coming this way. He's driving a Safari, a sturdy car. It won’t skid. If you wish you could come along."

I was in a hopeless situation. Be with him or stand alone in a bus stop - what could I do?
He was like an albatross. Before I could jump any guns, he declared "You are like my sister. She is married, now lives in the US. She studied in Delhi and often came back home in the night bus. Hence I can understand the challenges of a lone woman passenger. Therefore, I offered you coffee"

Before I could utter anything he left the scene. I was more troubled now. I had nowhere to go.
He came back after five minutes. I hadn't anticipated this. In this meanwhile he had spoken to one more family who were looking for a transport option. He offered them helped and then came to speak to me again.

I just couldn't believe that such people STILL exist. Now, it we were four of us. I felt more secured and agreed to be a part of this troupe. We boarded this guy's SUV. They dropped me first. I invited these people for breakfast and we feasted on hot parathas and tea. Meanwhile it had stopped snowing. The weather had become clearer.

After dropping me, these people left for their avenues.

After this incident, I firmly believe that ANGELS do exist. They are all around us. Just open your eyes, you will be able to spot an angel near you - in your office, your neighbourhood.

Till you find one, or try to be an angel to someone. If nothing else, just be polite to others. What say?

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Chess Sandwich, anyone?

Hey, I spotted this spell error in Katra, via enroute to Vaishno Devi. A road-side eating joint had its menu written on the wall and …..wow these guys were selling CHESS SANDWICHES :)

Ok, I’m being nasty here. Actually these people wanted to say Cheese Sandwiches. These tid-bits make life little interesting. Don't they?