Travel

I'm known for unplanned, impromptu travel. I also consider myself an expert at it. I had to use all my expertise to pull off yesterday's bus journey.

First, I booked a ticket on a KSRTC bus on the internet. The bus was surprisingly empty. Didn't understand why. Then, thanks to some directionless driver and vague dinner plans with Appa, I almost didn't reach the bus stand in time. Somehow, things fell in place and we reached Majestic with time to spare. Had a quick coffee, found the bus and boarded it. A good friend called with some happy news. Discussed it with him, and entered the bus. Conductor ticked off my ticket. Sat at seat number 5.

Suddenly, another middle-aged man came to seat number 5. After a quick check, we realised that my ticket was for the wrong date. I was a day early for my bus.

Asked the conductor if he had another seat. Initially, he said he did. So, I waited in that bus until it was about to leave. Then, the idiot tells me he doesn't have a seat.

I walk out of the bus in frustration and two touts hound me and ask me if I want a ticket to Madras. They said there was an AC bus for 950. I showed them the finger. Literally. Then, the guy said, "Non-AC. 500." I was tempted. I walked along with them, when they started negotiating again, "Saar, 600..." I was a bit desperate and I might have agreed. But some other dude standing far away signalled to me saying, "Don't go."

I don't know why I took that decision to not go. I went to the other dude who found me an AC bus for 600 bucks forty minutes past midnight. Had a chai and illuminating conversation with this other dude while we waited for the bus. Definitely the friendliest tout I've seen in my life. Ismail, his name. I tried out my Hyderabadi on him, and he was excited. "Not bad," he told me, "You can speak passably." He didn't even let me pay for the chai.

I wonder what makes us trust some people and not trust some others.The first two touts were as touty as Ismail. Somehow, I decided he would find me a better bus. And he did. Years ago, I trusted a lorry driver in Anantapur. Then, I knew I had nothing he could steal off me. I had about two hundred bucks in my pocket, I didn't own a phone, iPod, laptop or watch. I was wearing hawaii chappals and cheap clothes. If he was giving me a lift, it was out of the goodness of his heart, I believed. And I was right.

On the other hand, I have made errors of judgment. I once even paid heavily for being chatty with an auto driver.
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In any case, I reached Madras safe and sound this morning. Was the most comfortable of bus journeys. I'm a little sleepy. Will catch up on that after lunch - one of those rare exceptions to non-afternoon sleeping. And then I shall meet more people and take the night train out. Back to Bangalore.

Random one-day travelling sure is fun!
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