22nd, October, 2010. Pune-Mumbai-Pune
It was on the 22nd of October, 2010 that I woke up with dread in my heart.It was going to be the first time ever that I was going to be traveling on my own to a city that I had hitherto only passed through. Mumbai was chaotic, that was the only impression I have ever had of that place. But here I was at 6 o'clock in the morning packing my bag for a new adventure. I have traveled alone but Mumbai was going to be a whole new experience I was sure.
So, I kickstart my bike and off I go. Park it at the station after some difficulty given the fact that it was a kacchha parking and fully jammed. But the attendant was helpful. God bless his soul:) With my bike safely stowed, I use the underpass to the station where another kind soul informs me that my train, Deccan Queen is on platform no.3. It was a day of meeting kind people, starting with the parking attendant who didn't scream at me for being so lousy at handling my own vehicle.(Touchwood)Since Deccan Queen starts from Pune, there it was as if waiting for me to take me on my first ever journey alone to Mumbai.
The train journey was uneventful as such. Had a cup of tea and veg cutlets which were good. And for which the Train vendor was about to overcharge me by 5/- but then didn't. When I realized he was overcharging me, I innocently asked him why it was more and he realized it was a mistake. I didn't doubt him. At that moment, I realized I had somehow redeemed my faith in humanity. So far good going.
The train was almost on time. A friend had told me to catch a taxi to Nehru Planetarium. But no one was ready to go for some reason. And then it starts raining! I saw a bus stop and asked the guy directing the people if the bus went to Nehru Planetarium. And it turned out that it did!!!
The gods were smiling down at me I guess :) So, I smiled back at them. Thank you. Well, there was a line of 20 people wanting to board the same bus but I managed to get on. It was a pretty big bus. And then another half an hour or so to my destination. It was a long way off, that is why no taxi was ready to come. And it was on this bus that I learnt that I can get a day pass worth 25/- and travel in any bus as many number of times for the entire day.
Travelling in India is CHEAP!!!!!! The higlight of this bus trip - The conductor was distributing change for Diwali! Sutte have ahet ka???
I made it to my destination 30 minutes before the appointment. Not a problem. Washed up. By 12.30 I was done. Next stop was Colaba. I was told to catch 86 number bus. Plus I was told Colaba had very good eateries. So, I decided to have lunch there. Big mistake. Details later. Anyway before that I decided to check out Nehru Planetarium. Didn't attend the show but got to see the sun dial and got a pic :)
Finally at 1.45, I caught the bus and another long journey to Colaba. On the way, I caught a glimpse of Haji Ali or something, that mosque in the sea. Got down at Regal cinema. And while getting down kicked a guy clad completely in white. It was an accident :( He was pissed and stopped right there to dust off the dirt. Thankfully no harsh words exchanged. God bless him and his tolerance :)
A quick search of the area and an elevator journey of nine floors, I made it to the subject GRE centre. Now it was time for lunch. And it turned out to be disappointing. The places suggested by to me was over the top. Neither was I dressed for such a place nor was I in the mood to dine alone in a posh restaurant. A little walk further down and I find myself staring at the gateway of India. I didn't know it was supposed to be there. Completely caught off guard with a smile on my face. Again :)
Got my picture clicked for 30/- Its hanging in my room :) The photographer out there earns 1000- 2000/- per day. An alternate profession for me ? Those guys carry around a small Epson printer in their backpacks. So, here they click, there they insert the memory card and out comes the picture. Quick Quick.The guy who clicked my pic, I forgot to ask his name :( He told me of a restaurant nearby. So I decided to go there but found another one on the way and went there
instead. Ordered an aloo paratha which was only maida maida maida. Stuffed it down. And was off to catch a bus to CST. Good roadside shops.
After being misdirected once, I finally got on to the bus and smiled back at the guy who directed me to it. Feels good to acknowledge someone's assistance. Got down at the signal. Turns out the bus doesn't stop at CSTM but much further off. Well, this was the second time I got down from a moving bus in Mumbai. Proud of myself. Touchwood. Followed a helpful guy to the other side of the road who directed me to CST. And I found a woman who was with me on the bus and
who knew I wanted to go to CST and also knew I didn't know my way around but she didn't have the decency to guide me. There's a reason I sometimes hold a grudge against the female population in general. They simply aren't very helpful.
Got to the right platform and sat watching a group of rats on the tracks fighting over a piece of samosa thrown over by a random traveller. Amusing sight. Rats and a crow all trying to get the biggest piece. And finally the last rat runs off with the piece of paper in which it was wrapped. Sweet sweet. And on the platform itself was a little baby sparrow being fed by its parents. Nature in all its glory.
The train was on time. Met some nice people. A girl on her own. Older to me and I was asked to look after her by her mother who came to see her off. And I had a smug smile on my face :) The uncle to my right was clad in white and I had a nice conversation with him. He gave me his number and asked me to visit his shop off laxmi road.
Reached on time. Picked up my bike and back home in a short while. And then to bed for a blissful slumber.
