This is about my first experience with the BMTC bus in Bangalore. Though I have travelled by the BMTC bus, it is not been farther than two stops. This time it was quite some distance. I did not want to spend unnecessarily on the auto guys. They demand additional 10 or 20 bucks which is not worth the ride. Since the train reached the station before time, I decided I was going home by bus may what come. I have been thinking over this when I started travelling from Subhramanya to Bangalore. Since I did not carry much luggage, (just a bag pack) I was sure about the bus travel to home.
The train reached the station 10 mins before its scheduled time. I got down and started looking for the platform number. I saw the board which read – P.F 8. There was a direct exit to the pre-paid auto stand (very tempting after the overnight journey), but I made my mind and started walking towards the overhead bridge. Walked over the steps and finally got down near the exit.
Now came the dilemma, which way do I go? All stars in my mind! I just walked towards the main road. I saw people going through the subway. I followed them. I had nothing to lose, I had plenty of time, so could walk around. I saw a guy with beige trousers and black T-shirt. He seemed decent chap. I just followed him. Again in the subway below there were arrows pointing – Kempegowda Bus stand. But this chap did not follow any of them and walked in the opposite direction. I too followed him. I came out of the subway and saw I had to climb a slope to reach another bridge. The black T-shirt guide was walking over the slope. I followed him.
Uncertainty creeps in again – I am walking over the bridge, but where do I get down? There were 5-6 exits I guess. Again I went after the guy and he got down at the second exit. I did not know where the buses left to from there. Intuition and GUIDANCE, I followed him. He was surprised when he saw me walking behind me. I am sure he must have been observing me. But I portrayed as if I was walking casually and I very much knew the way. When we came down the bridge there were so many platforms and so many buses. The guy was lucky; his bus was waiting (as if it was waiting for him). He got in the bus and left. I was lost again.
Confusions confusions all over. What do I do? Shall I ask somebody or shall I wait? Whom should I ask, nobody seems right. So many thoughts man!!! I decided, I shall walk on the same lane, if I get a bus, good for me, else ask some driver or conductor. I was walking, looking all around and suddenly I see the bus board reading my bus stop. I was more than happy . Got into the bus and thanked god.
Mine was the last bus stop. The bus took longer than the usual route as it went around the city. After an hour I reached my bus stop. Reached home after a five minutes’ walk. One of my friends saw me walking from the balcony.
Surprisingly came the question – “Where is the auto? Did you walk from the railway station?”
I said – “I was walking from the bus stop.”
“You came by bus? What made you do that? And how did you find the bus?”
Oops… so many questions. Obviously anybody would be surprised.
I said “Just for a change. Found out the bus stand and got the exact bus.”
Immediately came the answer “I am sure your Subhramanya trip would not have been as adventurous as your bus trip back home!!!”
I was glad to hear that. I did something new(may sound silly).
No comments:
Post a Comment