Finally after a long travel, I am Home...phew!! Too much traveling. So now, I describe my first journey to South India, a 2-day long journey, and that too on a WL ticket (for details, refer to previous posts). First, I was to travel from Kolkata to Chennai Central(MAS), then MAS to Kayankulam (KYJ, near Amritapuri Univ.).
So, I went on the train (Coromandel), this train travels all the way through Orrisa as well as Andhra, so it had people from all regions. My Uncles and Papa too, were of Orrisan origin, so I was kinda familiar with the language Oriya, but had no idea of any south Indian languages. Still it wasn't much of help, cause my fluency was too gud for them (:P). Somehow, I took a seat near an Orrisan Family & sat on the side lower seat. Later, I realized that they were going with entire family(all the uncles & aunties, cousins, etc) for attending a marriage. Later, I also realized that they had a few extra tickets, so I was a bit, relieved.
THE WIERD UNCLE & CARING AUNTY
The above 2 people were part of the family. Lets, start with the aunty.
This lady, in her 35's, dressed in a shiny saree, with a big tilak on her forehead, was smiling at caring thru'out the journey. She inquired about me, where was I going, had I eaten something or not, & so on. Also she offered food to me(to which I nodded). She was soo caring, I remembered of my own aunts.
Now, the uncle. He was an old man, probably in his 50's. He sat next to me on the side lower seat, and was trying to get me off the seat in the begining, but aunty asked him to let me sit (& that I am not a thief !!). So I sat, but this man was trying hard to pull my leg(he tried a lot, really). But then, in a conversation he was having about the Kharagpur station, I broke out & informed him that it was the longest platform in the world. After this, he treated my better than before(as if I were a Genius! lol).
THE EXTRA SEAT & THE T.T.
After I heard that they had an extra seat, I was sure of receiving one(thanks to that aunty). But then this TT came into the picture. Somebody in the family had informed him about the extra seats(damn him!!). So he offered them the refund certificate for the extra seats. I turned blue.
But, later (again thanks a ton to that aunty), they offered me a seat for a hundred bucks (so that they get something out of that seat's cost. So, I slept pretty well the first night of the journey.
THE SADHUS
This Family got down at Vishakhapatnam(in the morning), I didnt even got a chance to thank them again.
Then came in a group of sadhus, dressed in black shirts and some in dhoti, & others in trousers, that too was black. The family was Oriyan, but these sadhus were south Indians. They were also pretty nice and adjusting. This guy in their group offered me Lemon Rice (I don't know what it was, but was tasty) and some sweets as well. I think it was his B'day that day(as I inferred from their conversation), but couldn't confirm.
I slept all the way from the time that family offered me the seat with a few pauses in between. SO, THE FIRST DAY WENT QUITE CALM.
I reached MAS in the evening around 5. It was awesome there. The Station, the Stalls, the People, everything was so promising. I had to stay 3 hrs there before I took the train for KYJ. I enjoyed nice south Indian food there as well (IDLYS, DOSAS, ummm!!!). Then I got up the train to KYJ.
THE NASTY PART
This train journey was the worst part of the entire journey. I'll remember each & every part of it thru'out my life.
First, the TT. This A*****E, was a big regionalist, one man inquired him about an extra seat, in his native language, so he replied calmly, when I went to him, asked him, told him that I didnt knew his language, his face turned into a disgust. He looked at me as if I was a dirty insect, also replied in grunting tone. This guy also didnt let me sleep down on the floor.
Then, this old man with his wife. Personally respect elderly people, but I would smash this person's face if given a chance. I was trying to sleep on the between the berths, but this man shouted as if I was throwing him out of the train. He refused me & when asked the reason, he said that the he had a lady (his old lady) in the compartment. WTF !!!
But I also made some friends, consisting 3 college students (Engineers). I was happy to see people like me after a long time. We had a good time, little but good. This was the only bright part of the journey.
Finally I reached KYJ , took an auto for 180 bucks an reached Amritapuri univ., to be welcomed by my mates. I was tired and weary of the luggage, but was happy to accomplish the mission of reaching Amritapuri before the contest.
CONCLUSION
My parents always told that South Indians are great people. I don't disagree, but I saw the nasty part of it. If they are good, they are the best, but if they are bad, they are the worst (NOTHING PERSONAL !!).
Next, I ll describe Amritapuri ICPC, Munnar and Mumbai.
-CA