Today I got a crazy idea and actually tried it out. I was speaking to dude who suggested me to write stories on all my travels around the places.I thought why not create some stories for that and put on my crazy hat and immediately got a glowing bulb coming out my head.The idea was to roam around the city without my wallet. The idea is all the more crazy because I am in a city that I am new to. So I decided to take my chances and stepped out of the room I was staying in and had a real cool experience to speak for. What will you come across and how would you manage without any money or documents of identity on you?
The first observation was the surprising number of two wheelers on the road a majority of whose pillion was occupied already! It was woefully hard to get a lift considering the fact that I was okay with any place to go to. Anyway I waited in the bus stop in the hope of finding a decently crowded bus to get in though we cannot expect the buses to be crowded on a Sunday evening. But still after a few empty ones there was one bus that was relatively full and got in. But just after two stops the conductor noticed me but I was ready for it. I feigned ignorance and asked for the place where I boarded and the conductor ( a Samaritan) guided me how to get there and got me off the bus. That was too close to being publicly getting insulted and embarrassed, but still a mission is a mission and I carried on. This time I did get a lift with a guy who did not even ask me about my destination. Well it was convenient for my purpose and I did not bother with informing of where I had to go. But in time he realized that I should be having somewhere to go and asked me. Looking around I saw I was near the Mysore Railway Station and got down there. Then it was back to just walking around the place and a brisk walk took me to the Central Bus Stand.
A little more walking and I was at the place gate. It was one of those times when the entrance fee to the palace is suspended. Again that suited my purpose and for the first time after so many days in Mysore I got to visit the palace. I was in a palace but still penniless and that was a pleasant irony. I was really happy at this cool craziness that beat the shit out of all the boredom. But the hunger bug caught me and I realized I still have to reach home before I am in any position to get to eat. I had to end this adventure of mine but not before finding the means to reach my room.
Walking back to the city bus stand I was able to find a bus which was crowded and goes near the place I stay. On a Sunday evening the rush of people getting back to their homes after an outing was advantageous for me. This time I could stay unnoticed till I had to get off the bus. So far so good but the next was even better.
The place I got off was called Vontikoppal and there is a temple in that location that I have to pass through to get to my room. The temple had an adjacent marriage hall where some marriage ceremonies were on. Food was being served and the craziness in me urged me to test the limits and try a free dinner. Bracing myself I walked in with a smiling face to the dining place. Surprisingly and fortunately I could finish a meal hastily and walk out of the hall without an incident. God bless the couple a happy married life. A very uncomfortable meal that was but still I came out saying ‘wow, that was good’.
Thanking my stars for saving me from any embarrassing situations by way of my crazy adventure and smiling at myself for having actually done this I reached my room. I thanked the bike guy who left me in the part of city I knew a bit. Had he left me in a place from where I did not know how to get back to the place I stay my crazy adventure would have turned bad. Yeah I had the option to take an auto back to my room where I had money to pay him afterall. But that would have meant losing the basic principle of this adventure of roaming the city penniless. I had a good experience that I am never willing to try out again. Travelling ticketless in a city bus is a really stressful affair, more stressful than quarter closing pressure. Any takers for such an adventure????
The first observation was the surprising number of two wheelers on the road a majority of whose pillion was occupied already! It was woefully hard to get a lift considering the fact that I was okay with any place to go to. Anyway I waited in the bus stop in the hope of finding a decently crowded bus to get in though we cannot expect the buses to be crowded on a Sunday evening. But still after a few empty ones there was one bus that was relatively full and got in. But just after two stops the conductor noticed me but I was ready for it. I feigned ignorance and asked for the place where I boarded and the conductor ( a Samaritan) guided me how to get there and got me off the bus. That was too close to being publicly getting insulted and embarrassed, but still a mission is a mission and I carried on. This time I did get a lift with a guy who did not even ask me about my destination. Well it was convenient for my purpose and I did not bother with informing of where I had to go. But in time he realized that I should be having somewhere to go and asked me. Looking around I saw I was near the Mysore Railway Station and got down there. Then it was back to just walking around the place and a brisk walk took me to the Central Bus Stand.
A little more walking and I was at the place gate. It was one of those times when the entrance fee to the palace is suspended. Again that suited my purpose and for the first time after so many days in Mysore I got to visit the palace. I was in a palace but still penniless and that was a pleasant irony. I was really happy at this cool craziness that beat the shit out of all the boredom. But the hunger bug caught me and I realized I still have to reach home before I am in any position to get to eat. I had to end this adventure of mine but not before finding the means to reach my room.
Walking back to the city bus stand I was able to find a bus which was crowded and goes near the place I stay. On a Sunday evening the rush of people getting back to their homes after an outing was advantageous for me. This time I could stay unnoticed till I had to get off the bus. So far so good but the next was even better.
The place I got off was called Vontikoppal and there is a temple in that location that I have to pass through to get to my room. The temple had an adjacent marriage hall where some marriage ceremonies were on. Food was being served and the craziness in me urged me to test the limits and try a free dinner. Bracing myself I walked in with a smiling face to the dining place. Surprisingly and fortunately I could finish a meal hastily and walk out of the hall without an incident. God bless the couple a happy married life. A very uncomfortable meal that was but still I came out saying ‘wow, that was good’.
Thanking my stars for saving me from any embarrassing situations by way of my crazy adventure and smiling at myself for having actually done this I reached my room. I thanked the bike guy who left me in the part of city I knew a bit. Had he left me in a place from where I did not know how to get back to the place I stay my crazy adventure would have turned bad. Yeah I had the option to take an auto back to my room where I had money to pay him afterall. But that would have meant losing the basic principle of this adventure of roaming the city penniless. I had a good experience that I am never willing to try out again. Travelling ticketless in a city bus is a really stressful affair, more stressful than quarter closing pressure. Any takers for such an adventure????
2 comments:
good one to start off with... waiting for many more such adventures...
Macha This was a deliberate attempt. But I do have some unexpected but interesting observations. Will share them soon
Post a Comment