Surat
3rd January 2007 – Surat, Gujarat
The trials and tribulations of travel have just swept by me this morning.
For someone used to meeting deadlines just in the nick of time, sure of his movements and able to time journeys to the last minute, I come unstuck this morning.
Midge dropped it on me late yesterday afternoon that we should start our travels up to Nepal today. He was traveling overnight to Mumbai from Goa and then catching a connection to Ahmedabad. His train would stop at Surat at 9.30 & the master plan was I jump on.
And so after last minute rearrangement on my part, I got up at 5.00am and caught a rickshaw 25 miles north to Surat. It’s winter time here and the morning tend to be quite cold…10 degrees Celsius. In an open rickshaw, you have to take into account windchill factor….don’t laugh ( I know Nepal is going to be a shock!)…I had 3 layers of clothing before I felt relatively comfortable. I managed to do my back in whilst in Goa and the journey over pothole festered road was insufferable at times.
I arrived in Surat at 7.45am. I get an SMS from Midge that he had missed his connection as his Goa train was late & would now arrive at 1.40pm…………….how inconvenient is that….went for an hour long walk around the station vicinity to find a decent hotel…Hyatt, Marriott…the best I found would have been a 1 star in the UK and they had the temerity to display 4 stars & call themselves Astoria!!
Managed to flag down a coconut seller and had 2 delicious coconuts complete with the soft flesh…it was the ideal sustenance for me. Back to station to book ticket – initially for Baroda (some 50 miles due north). Told to come back at mid-day – sat down nearby and watched life go by on the reservation office – decided to move on an hour later when they decided to mop the floor….impressed that they swept it before mopping…impressed they cleaned it in the first place. Bought myself an Indian Railway timetable…it is the size of a Thompsons Directory.
Crossing the road is quite a feat…..rickshaws, cars, people, bicycles, trucks…and no one pays heed to zebra crossings, traffic lights etc…and don’t be surprised that vehicles move in either direction whichever lane you are in!!
Found a hairdresser 2 stories above a building opposite the station– seemed a secluded place..away from the humdrum…thought would find some solace…although did not need a haircut, decided to have one…..RS20 i.e. 25 pence. Parked myself there for a bit and took some pictures. Studied timetable to realize the train ( 9023 Janata Express) Midge is on actually goes to Delhi…..it would arrive 24 hours later on Thursday at 1.45pm. SMSed him to suggest we do the marathon journey and go all the way.
Back to ticket office at midday to learn there is a waiting list for 75 people for a AC sleeper coach. Something abut f_ _ k it came to mind and bought a non-reserved ‘cattle’ class ticket for both of us…RS202 ( 2.80 each) to travel 1,000 miles!
Time to move…I am going to buy some Indian savories for the journey and some hot samosos for Midge. he must be hungry.
Till later.
Kiran
