Found a different kind of traveler in me!!!!

It was a very short and sweet trip to a place where I have never traveled before. I had been invited to attend a friend's sisters wedding. So yes this realization dawned on me with the 1st time excitement (more of an anxiety for me otherwise), adventure of travelling alone, seeing a new place, meeting new people etc etc.

Normally, I am a very fussy traveler. As in - I will only travel if -

1. Tickets are confirmed
2. AC coach only!!
3. Luggage is not too heavy
4. Compartments should be clean and hygienic etc etc etc.

But for this trip, though I had booked an AC coach ticket for myself, it was not confirmed till I boarded the train, I was not feeling any anxiety of any sought.

I had booked my ticket on an online portal. (Ahhh with technology so fast anything can happen in a click).

When the TC came to check my ticket, I told him it is not confirmed. He asked me whether I had booked it online or on the counter. I actually gave him a look like 'Seriously dude!!! Do you think I have the time to go the ticket counter and get a ticket when I can do it in the comfort of my home?' But instead I said "No I have booked it online."

I learnt a new thing that day (as I am not a traveler kind it was a very important piece of information).
He told me that my ticket is invalid and because I have booked it online, the money will be refunded in my online account. But if I had a ticket booked at the counter he would help arrange a seat during the travel. I was speechless. - THERE GOES MY 1ST CONDITION OF TRAVEL!!

But he was a good TC and did not create a big fuss. He gave me a general ticket and told me I cannot travel in AC coach. - 2ND CONDITION gone for a TOSS.

But still my travel of 4 hours was pretty good because I came watching the nature and reading my novel.

I reached my destination half an hour late. Attended the wedding and amazingly I was totally enjoying the wedding without the anxiety of my further travel. The stay was 2 hours away from where the wedding was.

As I have been born and brought up in Mumbai, and all the facilities are available at my disposal, I felt that the 2 hour journey will be in a cab or an AC bus.

God had some other plans for me of course!!!!

I came to know that no private vehicles are allowed in that town. The ONLY mode of transport was - ST BUS (Red dabba), which I had seen like one and a half decade ago but never traveled in it. Needless to say that it was a non AC bus.

So in terms of travel adventure this was the trip!!!!

I had always heard about how a seat is been booked in a ST Bus (you throw your bag/handkerchief from the window and then start boarding the bus). The seat reserving activity was done by my friends. While the bus came and the people crowded like ants near sugar, I felt as if I was participating in a warlike situation just to get into the bus.

Finally I alighted and started finding where my friends were. I spotted them and they had booked a seat for me ;-)

Again our journey of 2 hours started. During the travel I felt that who says there are no Formula One Racers in India?? The driver of our bus was faster than Narain Karthikeyan!!!! I had a mixed feeling of traveling in racer car, sitting on a roller coster etc. But at the end of the day it was a fun day, exciting one, adventurous trip to a place which didn't feel that unknown - as though it was more of a CALLING than just attending the wedding.

I realized that the BLOCKS were in my MIND and not in the CAPABILITY of travelling unconventionally.

Thank you Universe for letting me find a new self!!!!!