B. E. S. T. – Is it Best?

After the two day long strike by the B. E. S. T. workers, it was a relief to see the Red Bulls back on the road. Relief because after two days of struggle, it felt good to be back in the bus line.
But, I must say that Bombay is unbreakable… In spite of the absence of buses, life did not stop in Bombay. People here adapt to anything and everything… be it a natural calamity or a strike like this one.
The two days for me were a wonderful experience..
The first day left me a bit irritated in the beginning because of the rickshaw drivers – none of them ready to give me a ride. That left me walking half the distance to office and the other half in someone else’s rickshaw. Four people were seen traveling in rickshaw’s and as it is said that “Every dog has his day”, the rickshaw wallas had not one day, but two days…
The second day was same for me, invading in someone else’s rickshaw !! Haha… it was fun… I seemed as if all the rickshaws in the world were out on the streets of Bombay’s suburbs… I guess even the scrapped rickshaws were out on the streets because many of them were fuming tons of CO2 and CO. The return journey was even more interesting. Many private buses were out on the roads and transporting people for more than double the B. E. S. T. bus tickets… But, who cares about the cost… My return trip to the station was hanging in one such bus…
Come what may, life in Bombay moves with the same pace…
-JC

Tirupari Balaji

After much postponing, finally it happened in the second last weekend of March. Hold on, hold on… don’t get some wild ideas. It so happened that I successfully went to Tirupati !!
The beginning of the trip i.e. catching the train to Tirupati was an achievement in itself. It started with a quick day in office. Quick as in, had to wind up and complete lots of things. Then, we had to struggle a bit in the traffic to reach Andheri station. On the station, the ticket punching machine was running around 4 hours late. The fast train was stopping more than usual, etc., etc. After all this struggle, the train’s boogie was a sigh of relief. All new paint, new seats, mobile charging points, etc., etc… All this aside, the dinner served in train by the pantry was pathetic. But, helpless, after such a long day didn’t have much choice. Sleep was little and woke up early at around 6 am. And at such an early hour, while I was sitting on the seat brushing, a eunuch came in clapping and the usual tone “Eh Raju”….. hahaha….. What a way to start your day…
The day passed with lots of hawkers and pantry men coming in and going out. After so many hours of traveling, felt so good to alight the train at around 5:00pm.Had a bus ride upto the foot of the hill which leads to Tirumala and the started the climb on foot to Tirumala with great vigor. But, the vigor didn’t last much. Struggling and taking lots of breaks, somehow reached the top i.e. Tirumala at around 11:30 – 12:00 midnight. Took the room and settled down on a roadside stall far dinner. Had the 70mm dosa for dinner… And, I must say, it is a 70cm dosa but I wonder why the call it the 70mm dosa.
The sleep that night was the most sweetest after such a great climb and that too without shoes or chappals !!
The morning for us started late and 2 of us went to donate our hair and soon had shining heads.. Tirumala is such a great place.. such a huge place.. The line for us started at around 1:00pm and ended at around 3:30 pm. Pretty less time for a visit to Tirupati, isn’t it.. Cell phones not allowed in the temple premises.. It was the first time since I got a cell that I was without my cell with me.. Somehow, it felt great.. After struggling so much, the view or rather darshan to Venkateshwara is only for a few seconds.. around 5 seconds or so.. But, that’s the way it is. The Hundi is a must see.. To see people donating anything and everything to the richest God. The evening chilled out a bit and we stuck to our guest house’s room..
Next day morning started a little early for us since we had a train to catch at 9:00am. Most of the day was spent in the train dozing and playing cards with the frequent entertainment by eunuch’s.
Early next morning reached Bombay and back to the busy schedule.
It was a great experience and rejuvenating break from the daily hip hop in the local trains, buses, etc. and
Must take such regular breaks..
ENJOy…
-JC

Fear of Loosing the Last Local

Yesterday was the day I’ll always remember. Was struggling at 1:00 am… Yes at 1:00 in the night… Struggling not to miss the last local…

Not knowing when the last local train runs towards Churchgate, I took my chances and left office at 12:45am… After unning on the empty roads and railways stations, finally managed to get into the last slow local. It was a great site to see the station empty with the absence of thousands of humans otherwise banging into each other. After such a hectic day in office the empty train was a sigh of relief and the cool breeze was so enchanting that in no time I felt asleep… Ahhhh… What next, imagine…!!! I woke up to find myself on Churchgate station !!! In the early hours (or late hours) and in full sleep, it was the shock of my life. Could not even find a taxi to take me home… After walking some distance, a good taxi walla came to my rescue.

-JC

Primeval - nice attempt

After long, I had a chance to peek into a theatre and see a movie. Yesterday, I happened to see the movie “Primeval”. A 20 feet long man-eater croc – that is supposed to be the theme of the movie. But, out of the way, the movie is steered into the Civil war in Burundi (South Africa) !!!!! Though u can’t complain because the movie is based on true events, it is the first time I am criticizing a movie that I have seen. And to add it, the croc exists happily ever after….. hahaha.
The Cinematography is good and that’s the only thing u should look out for in the movie….. All in all, a nice attempt… thats all I can say...