Wet blanket
For Keralites living in Bangalore the biggest advantage that the city offers is the possibility of a quick escape to Coconut land. A private bus should be able to get you to Trivandrum in a matter for 12 -13 hours. Having said that, I for one have always disliked traveling by bus for reasons better known to me than explained to hubby. Even though flying is expensive I prefer it for reasons, again, better known to me than explained. However, henceforth no more explanations will be required as hubby experienced the same kind of dislike for the whole exercise.
Friday, Shama office at Madiwala:
We were all set to begin the journey. Hubby was in high spirits as he likes traveling by bus. I was not. To reduce the misery, I bought myself a pack of yellow Lays which I hoped to enjoy while watching the Tamil/Mal flick. The bus was supposed to leave at 5:00 PM so we reported at the depot at 4:25 PM. We were informed that the bus was running late. The departure time would now be 5:30 PM. I refused to feel bad about the fact that I could have spent half an hour more at my work desk.
The black Volvo finally arrived and we took our seats. The big vacuum in front did not ring a bell to me. Hubby whispered in low spirits…”Looks like this bus does not have a TV”. “Oh is it…WHAT?!?” I wanted to protest but I meekly said…”maybe there is a hidden screen which will swing in from the sides”. Yea rite! I decided to enjoy my packet of Lays minus the movie. I will not let my spirits be dampened by this. The bus stopped for dinner and we dug into our packed dinner of chapatti and stew. Thank God for small mercies…it still tasted yum! We resumed our journey. As we babbled into the night and others stared at the roof waiting to be blessed with slumber, the blanket distribution process commenced. While some picked colors others passed comments and giggled. Hubby picked one and immediately returned it saying “It’s wet” I said “What?” Mr. Distributor said “We washed it TODAY” I was flabbergasted. My spirits were totally dampened by now!!
I did not return the blanket. Infact, I did not even budge from the position I was sitting in. The blanket reeked of detergent. We talked about the whole experience and I reclined into my seat. The last time I traveled by Kallada I was bitten by bed bugs and I ended up having a sleepless night. I was now wondering which of my trips was worse, this or that. Suddenly I felt cold. I checked my dress, it was damp coz I had placed the wet blanket on top. The anger in me soon warmed up my cheeks. I put aside the blanket and I decided to do with my sweater. I reclined back again...
Something was wrong. Yes, I figured it out; the push back was not working...
Through the journey I wondered what I paid 650 bucks for? Everybody around me was suffering in the same way but nobody complained? Am I being too fussy? Perhaps yes, but I demand better treatment than this!
Friday, Shama office at Madiwala:
We were all set to begin the journey. Hubby was in high spirits as he likes traveling by bus. I was not. To reduce the misery, I bought myself a pack of yellow Lays which I hoped to enjoy while watching the Tamil/Mal flick. The bus was supposed to leave at 5:00 PM so we reported at the depot at 4:25 PM. We were informed that the bus was running late. The departure time would now be 5:30 PM. I refused to feel bad about the fact that I could have spent half an hour more at my work desk.
The black Volvo finally arrived and we took our seats. The big vacuum in front did not ring a bell to me. Hubby whispered in low spirits…”Looks like this bus does not have a TV”. “Oh is it…WHAT?!?” I wanted to protest but I meekly said…”maybe there is a hidden screen which will swing in from the sides”. Yea rite! I decided to enjoy my packet of Lays minus the movie. I will not let my spirits be dampened by this. The bus stopped for dinner and we dug into our packed dinner of chapatti and stew. Thank God for small mercies…it still tasted yum! We resumed our journey. As we babbled into the night and others stared at the roof waiting to be blessed with slumber, the blanket distribution process commenced. While some picked colors others passed comments and giggled. Hubby picked one and immediately returned it saying “It’s wet” I said “What?” Mr. Distributor said “We washed it TODAY” I was flabbergasted. My spirits were totally dampened by now!!
I did not return the blanket. Infact, I did not even budge from the position I was sitting in. The blanket reeked of detergent. We talked about the whole experience and I reclined into my seat. The last time I traveled by Kallada I was bitten by bed bugs and I ended up having a sleepless night. I was now wondering which of my trips was worse, this or that. Suddenly I felt cold. I checked my dress, it was damp coz I had placed the wet blanket on top. The anger in me soon warmed up my cheeks. I put aside the blanket and I decided to do with my sweater. I reclined back again...
Something was wrong. Yes, I figured it out; the push back was not working...
Through the journey I wondered what I paid 650 bucks for? Everybody around me was suffering in the same way but nobody complained? Am I being too fussy? Perhaps yes, but I demand better treatment than this!