My Most Memorable Trip

These days, if its the start of the month - I take a flight, if its the mid of the month - I take an A/C Volvo, if its the end of the month - depending on my budget, I take a train or walk (just kidding about that last part).

A few of the major factors, to me at least, whilst deciding the mode of transportation are - Comfort, Time of transit, Luxury - even if it means an extra cost/premium

These days - I can't even dream of traveling by a Non A/C Train or Bus. It feels as though I wouldn't last 2 minutes inside the bus/train.

I do not know whether to put the blame it on having a decent "spendable" income or the growing trend of consumerism? But, I do know one thing - this wasn't how I was when I was in college.

I remember one incident in particular - when I was required to travel from Calicut to Chennai for my cousin sisters wedding. Initially, mom had ordered me and my brother not to come for the marriage (we had exams the following week - and she wanted us to sit and prepare for em). But in the last minute, giving in to pressure from my sis and her family, she relented and asked us to come for the marriage.

It was obvious that we wouldn't get "reserved" tickets (obviously we're talking about Second Sleeper Class tickets) since our travel plans were conceptualized during the 13th hour.

So we (me and my bro) didn't even bother trying to check whether tickets were available for that day.

The scheduled departure of the train was 5.15 pm. But, this was the Indian Railways we are talking about. And their notoriety for "never being on time" was world famous. So - we decide to gamble on that and, hence, we left college only around 4.00 pm.

The trip to Calicut city would take 35 mins tops. And that still left us with about 30 mins to get to the railway station from the bus stop, get tickets for the train, stock up on some eatables/magazines and board the train.

But you know how fate has something else in store for us. That day - on a route where buses roar down once in every 3 mins - we had to stand for a good 20 mins before we got into a bus going to the city.

I told my bro - "Another 35 mins to the city. If the train is late by 10 mins, we should still be able to make it!” My bro was like "Chetts ... Its the Indian Railways ... They're always late ... You can count on them for that!"

But boy - were we going to be proved wrong or what!!!

Another 40 mins later, we were at the rly station. And what we saw there left me gaping. There was a kilometer long queue (I'm exaggerating again ... But the queue WAS indeed huuuuuuuuuuge!!!)

This was something I had not factored into my estimates. "Shit ... We're going to miss the train today!"

My bro said "Chetts ... You stand in the queue ... I'll get something to eat and drink. That way we'll save some time...”

Another grueling 20 mins later, I get tickets for both my bro, and me and we run to platform # 3. Climbing the overhead bridges was out of the question.

1. It was a lot of effort.
2. It was for oldies.
3. And more importantly - I didn't have time for that!!!

So, we jump platforms and finally we're on platform 3. I notice that the Chennai mail is arriving on platform 3. "But wait ... Its going too fast. At this rate - half the compartments will be outside the station. Oh shit ... Maybe its not arriving ... Its LEAVING!!!"

I ask a vendor on the platform "Chettaa ... Is this train arriving or leaving?" The vendor confirmed my fears "Its leaving son...”

I turned to my bro "Appu ... Its leaving ... Lets make a run for it ... We'll try to board the train!!!"

Without a protest, Appu - my brother - started sprinting down the platform and then magically he boarded the train.

I too was sprinting and as I tried to board the train - the most unexpected thing happened ... I lost my balance, tumbled and fell ...

People started crowding around me. But, my mind was racing - "Appu is on the train. He doesn't have any cash with him ... And I've got the tickets ... Fuck ... He doesn't even have a phone ... How can I tell him to get off at the next station! What if he gets caught by a son-off-a-bitch TTR ... He's gonna get into a real soup if that happens!!!"

That last part really scared me. I should say scared me enough to get up, and start sprinting again. I had sprained my left leg, and was trying hard to ignore the protest it was trying to voice. "I have to get on the train ... Else Appu will be in trouble!" was the only thing that was racing through my mind.

Heck - the vendors who had seen me fall down, get up and pace down the platform on my suicidal mission had decided to take matters into their hands. A couple of them pulled at my shoulders and bags, thereby slowing me down. Slowed me to a full stop I must say.

The vendors said - in one voice - "Don't worry son ... You can take the next train ..."

I was pissed off ... I was angry ... I had deserted my bro ... And he was helpless there ... And there was nothing I could do about it !!!

I could feel tears well up in my eyes ... "Sorry Appu ... Really Sorry!!!" was the only thing I could think off.

But, wait. I could see him running toward me. "What’s happening ... How come he got off the train?"

I was bewildered at what I was seeing. I was happy. Elated I believe is the more apt term!

My bro runs up to me and goes "Chetts ... Are u alright?” Instead of answering his question, I ask a few of my own - "Da Appu ... What're u doing here? I thought u were on the train!"

It was a stupid statement, but in my defense - I had just fallen down whilst trying to board a moving train ... And I was stunned by the incident!

"I saw you fall off the train you fat fuck ... So I jumped off as well!!!" he retorted. "Are you alright da?" was my next question. "Ur the one who fell down ... Are U alright?" came a curt reply.

"Yup ... I'm ok bro... A lil shaken – but I’m good!!!”

I briefed him about what had just happened in the last 3 mins. The tense moment had now diffused itself. And another 10 mins later - we were passing comment about the girls at the station.

Another 45 mins of oogling at chicks later, we board the intercity express. It took us to Shorannur from where we took a connecting "Passenger Train" (read as a freaking slow train which stops everywhere!) to Palghat. We sleep on the Palghat station platform for 2 hours before we get our connection train to Chennai.

Half way into our journey from Palghat to Chennai, the “Railway Ticket Checking Squad” inspectors enters our general compartment and starts demanding that we show our tickets. Unflinching, I showed them our tickets. I had just escaped a near-life situation at the railway station. After that - these ticket collectors were nothing – especially – since I did have tickets!

But, my smile had vanished the second he said - "This is an express class train ticket. You're traveling on a super-fast class train. You'll have to pay a fine of 400 per head! That’s 800 rupees for this ticket for two!"

"First falling off a running train, and now this. This just isn't my day ... FUCKING HELL!!!"

This is where my extended expertise in the area of begging and pleading (with my professors back in college - for that 1 mark ... or that attendance shortage issue I had) came to my rescue.

Another 20 mins later, the Inspector had found some other bakra's to fine (these guys didn't have tickets at all. A big offense compared to my smaller one). And so - he let us go scot-free.

6 am, and we are finally at Chennai Central railway station. Another 35 mins and a short trip via the metro rail and we are my cousins place.

But the story doesn’t end there ... We got a piece of mind from my uncle, aunty, mom, dad, cousin brother and a few other relatives for turning up late and another round of blasting when we narrated the incidents that happened during our journey.

On the whole - that was the most adventurous trip I had ever had and probably will ever have.

I got this mail on my yahoo ID yesterday.


******************************************************************************************

HELLO DEAR

GREETINGS, PERMIT ME TO INFORM YOU OF MY DESIRE OF GOING INTO
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU.DEAR,IT IS MU GREAT INTEREST AND THE TRUST
WHICH I HAVE IN YOU,THOUGH WE HAVE NOT MET BEFORE,NEITHER HAVE WE SEEN
FOR THE FIRST TIME,BUT BEFORE I PICK UP YOUR NAME AND WRITE TO YOU I
PRAYED OVER IT THAT GOD SHOULD DIRECT ME TO A TRUST WOULTHY AND GOD
FEARING PARTNER WHO WILL HELP ME OUT OVER MY PROBLEM.
FOR THIS PERMIT ME TO GO INTO BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU,SINCE I
HAVE MADE UP MY MIND TO DO THIS BUSINESS WITH YOU. I GOT YOUR NAME AND
CONTACT FROM THE IVOIRIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES I PRAYED
OVER IT AND SELECT YOUR NAME AMONG OTHER NAMES DUE TO ITS ESTEEMING NATURE AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN TO ME AS A REPUTABLE AND TRUST WORLTHY PERSON THAT I CAN DO BUSINESS WITH AND BY THE RECOMMENDATION.I MUST NOT HESITATE TO CONFIDE IN YOU FOR THIS SIMPLE AND SINCERE BUSINESS.

I AM AMINA AHMED; THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF LATE MR AND MRS MOHAMMED AHMED.MY FATHER WAS A VERY WEALTHY COCOA MERCHANT AND GOLD PRODUCER HERE IN ABIDJAN,THE ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF IVORY COAST BEFORE HE WAS POISONED TO DEATH BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ON ONE OF THEIR OUTING TO DISCCUS ON A BUSINESS DEAL. WHILE MY MOTHER DIED WHEN AM STILL A KID.SO MY FATHER TOOK ME SO SPECIAL BECAUSE I AM MOTHERLESS.

BEFORE THE DEATH OF MY FATHER ON 30TH DEC. 2003 IN PRIVATE HOSPITAL
HERE IN ABIDJAN. HE SECRETLY CALLED ME ON HIS BEDSIDE AND TOLD ME THAT HE
HAS A SUM OF, (THIRTY MILLION US DOLLARS) LEFT IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT IN
A BANK AFFLIATE IVORY COAST AND THAT HE USED MY NAME AS HIS ONLY
DAUGHTER FOR THE NEXT OF KIN IN DEPOSITING OF THE FUND AND HERE IS AN
ATTACHMENTS OF MY PHOTOS AND THE RECEIT USED IN DEPOSITING THE FUND.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS WEALTH AND SOME
HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES SUPPOSED TO BALANCE HIM FROM THE DEAL THEY HAD THAT HE WAS POISONED BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES,THAT I SHOULD SEEK FOR A GOD FEARING FOREIGN PARTNER IN THE COUNTRY OF MY CHOICE WHERE I WILL TRANSFER THIS MONEY AND USE IT FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSE,(SUCH AS REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT).

DEAR, I AM HONOURABLY SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS.
1) TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO.
2) TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIAN OF THIS SINCE I AM A GIRL OF 22 YEARS.
3) TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR ME TO COME OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY TO FURTHER
MY EDUCATION AND TO SECURE A RESIDENT PERMIT IN YOUR COUNRY FOR ME.
4) SOMEONE TO TRUST FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FUND.

MOREOVER DEAR, I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 25% OF THE SUM AS COMPENSATION FOR EFFORT INPUT AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF THIS FUND TO YOUR DESIGNATE ACCOUNT OVERSEAS.
ANTICIPATING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
BEST REGARDS,
AMINA AHMED.

******************************************************************************************


I'm not new to spam mails, but this one was hilarious. I mean, a girl whose mom and dad are dead, wants to give me 25% of 30 million dollars. And in return all she expects is
1) TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO.
2) TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIAN OF THIS SINCE I AM A GIRL OF 22 YEARS.
3) TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR ME TO COME OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY TO FURTHER
MY EDUCATION AND TO SECURE A RESIDENT PERMIT IN YOUR COUNRY FOR ME.
4) SOMEONE TO TRUST FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FUND.


OMFG ... Who is she kidding !!!


:D

A Tribute to the Worlds Fastest Bike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e02qT3fXH2c



I was left wondering - Why does the R6 even bother trying to compete with the Busa???


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj8QQAyGrY8




If the R6 couldn't do anything, whats an R1 going to do ?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaYcvN5yNGg




The true king of the road !!!

CAT preps.

After giving about 8 Mock CAT's, I've realized that I'm improving. From a dismal 33% in the first one to the 90% I got in the last one, I guess I've come a long way.

But, if I want to crack the CAT, I need to throw in a lot many more man-hours into preparations. After all it takes atleast a 99.9% to be able to get into any of the IIM's.


Wish me luck (I'll need as much of it as I can get!)

:P

The Average American Male by Chad Kultgen

After seeing the video promos of 'The Average American Male' on youtube


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18llwX4dMTo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WSczMVN6ns


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMFoAvnzxl4



I just had to read it. Since Landmark, The Forum, did not have a copy of the book, I got a friend of mine - returning from the US - to purchase a copy for me.

And guess what... At a price tag of $ 15 (INR 600), its worth every penny. The author has gone into gory details as to how sexually charged up the mind of an average American guy is (any guy for that matter is overtly sexually charged up). It also goes on to talk about the expectations girls have when they're in a relation v/s the expectations of a guy in the same.


On the whole, My Verdict is that its a Must Read for all the guys out there. Girls - I'd suggest you stay away from it ...
(The friend who got me the book - who is a girl btw - took the liberty of reading it. And she tells me she was/is completely disgusted about the fact that 'is this how/what you guys really think?')

Bangalore v/s Chennai.

I used to live in Chennai for close to a year and half. But, that was before moving to Bangalore (I've been in Bangalore for close to a year now).

And if you ask me to compare these two cities I have only one thing to say:


Bangalore - Climate is Cold, Babes are Hot !!!

Chennai - Climate is Hot, Babes are Cold !!!


As Simple As That ...