Missing Flights & Trains

Have I ever mentioned in here that I have missed a flight, and that I then paid on my own and traveled business class to keep the appointment. That was on a autumn day in Bangalore. I was to catch a early morning flight to Mumbai. SG did tell me that I better set the alarm earlier, but I was confident (even though SR had to rush me to airport two times earlier). Anyway, the taxi came on time. I made it wait. Reached airport just 15 minutes before the take off time. They had closed the boarding. The airline is known for its timely operations. I thought I had learnt my lesson, that too a costly one. But did I? No, I did not.

Just the other day, while travelling to Bath, VC almost missed the train, I had the tickets. He ran and huffed and managed to get onto the right train. But little did he know that I was about to surpass him. At Salisbury, where we had to wait and change trains. I had the brilliant idea of having breakfast. We did go out and order even when VC was apprehensive. Full English breakfast, delicious. The coffee was made from freshly ground beans, marvelous. We ate, we ran and we missed the train. Luckily the next one was soon enough and the trio was not ruined. It did become costlier.

So then, I thought I had learnt my lesson. I did indeed. I reached the rail station 30 minutes before the departure to Edinburgh. VC to started well in time. We were sure to start this on a good note. But good is not always interesting. We had something interesting in store. VC had to take the tube. After being advised by me and other people he took the fastest route, it just so happens that it is the most reliable route too. But what is interesting here? The services on the tube broke down. Apparently the train ahead on the line could not close its doors, and so could not leave the platform. VC's train was held between stations for more than 45 minutes. Yes, we missed the train, again. and this time it was the last train of that operator and the costs were substantial.

I was in army issue overalls and shoes, all ready for the snow. And we had missed the train. Hopeless, we went to the information counter to listen to the verdict. Surprise, we were allowed to take other operator's train, provided reservations were available. This was a costlier service, reservations only. But we need not pay anything extra. As luck would have it, we did get the reservation on a train with a friendly Scottish ticket examiner. Edinburgh was not even an official stop. Reached there at 0330 in the morning. We were welcomed by snow.

So what did I learn? It is sometimes good to be late. Amen!

From Oxford, with Love

Friday was a hectic day - work and planning for long weekend. Suddenly remembered that I had not visited Oxford and Cambridge yet. The Meccas of modern education. So, the die was cast. Decided to visit Oxford the next day.

The journey was good. Had a few students going to the Reading music festival for company. Oxford itself was beautiful. Took the tour by bus and then walked around. After watching Man U rout Fulham, returned to train station.

Had to wait, sat on a bench. There was a girl, south-east asian, reading some book. Looked like the script used top to bottom as the direction. Wondered what it was. Remembered something about Chinese.

Fortunately we both boarded the same compartment and too respective seats. After some time a silly question came to my mind. How to indicate the end of a sentence when writing top to bottom? What better to know but to get the answer from horse's mouth. I approached the girl and asked what she was reading. Ah, she didn't understand English fully. She was from Japan. She was reading Japanese. After going through the book my self, I could figure out the comma and full stop. She confirmed too. I thanked her and came back to my place.

After some time, as the train was slowing, the girl came to me. She offered me the book, as a memory of the trip. Now, my logical brain switched on. I said, "Thanks, but I do cannot read or understand Japanese. The book is of no use to me unless you teach me Japanese." I don't know how much of it she understood, but she sure understood that I didn't want that book. She smiled, said bye and left. She had to get down at that station. I had a long way to go before reaching London.

Only after the train start did I realise that perhaps I should have kept the book. That was a sweet gesture from her. I should have reciprocated. May be I should have asked for e-mail address too. And may be I should have got down with her. After all you don't meet nice people often.

Silly me !!!

Living in UK

Pound Seekers

The other day, after the usual jog in the evening, I was walking towards the Sainsbury's for food. A young man came from behind, white, properly dressed but clearly blue collared. First, he asked for a pound. I said "I do not have". Then he asked for 50p. I said "Am not carrying my wallet". Finally he asked for a cigarette. I said "I do not smoke" and then he said "For God's sake, you are in my piece of a shit country!". As if this was not enough, just after a few days, another incident happened. I was coming back from shopping at the High Street. Just as I was crossing a pub, an elderly white man, properly dressed, asked for a pound. And just around the corner, a very young girl asked for another pound. Three different beggars in perhaps the world's richest city.

Streakers

Our office had just completed 2 years. Some fun events were planned, including indoor football. WE played 4 matches - 3 losses, 1 win. I too got some shots at the goal. But no goals though. It was fun, ultimate fun. But the highlight of the day was something else. It was the scene in the men's shower & changing room, afterwards. I had not seen so many men, together, naked. Yes, I may be accused of being a prude. I may be derided for not being modern. But I have to admit that nothing had prepared me for this. Welcome to the western culture.

Fun Seekers

After an eventful day at work - meeting, football, quiz, I was jogging in the park in the evening. During the second lap there was this bunch of 4 teenagers - 3 boys 1 girl, on a bench along the track. While I was passing them the first boys tells me that my shoe laces are undone. While I bend and check, the girl stands up and gets in my way, I just managed not bumping into her. Seems they wanted me to bump into her. I wonder why. By the time I was finished with my routine, they were gone. I still wonder. I really missed the opportunity ;-)

How I Lost & Found My Passport

It was 27 April, I was in transit from Bangalore to London. I was in Paris's Chrles de Gaule airport. After going through the security check for my connecting flight I rearranged the documents on me. Kept the non-essentials in the bag and put the essentials in my shirt pocket. There after I put on my jacket. The essentials included my passport and boarding pass. Had to call home to reassure parents about me being safe and fine. So walked down the lobby to find a telephone. Found one, but had no clue how to use. Although I had got international roaming activated on my VodaSIM from India, that too refused to cooperate. At the second telephone, after careful reading of instructions, I was able to place a call to India, using my credit card. Thank you ICICI. Thank you VISA. The next task was to set my watch to new time zone. I was not wearing a simple watch, but a sophisticated gadget. Very unlike me, I had not read the user manual of appliance, I was carrying the booklet with me though. Read through it and set the time. It was not difficult. Then it was time to check mails. Again the credit card came to my rescue. After responding to mails and noting down the addresses in my notebook when I put the pen in my pocket, I realised that neither the passport, nor the boarding pass were there on me!

Checked my bags, checked all my pockets. Nothing. Retraced my path back to security, nothing. Went to the Air France counter, nobody was there. With the fear of being deported I went to the security. Narrated the story. They were surprised. Asked me to check again. I requested them to make an announcement, they said they cannot. One of the ladies manning the security was winding up her shift and she offered to take me to the airport police. Reluctantly, I crossed the security gates, mindful of the fact that if I do not get the loct documents I will not be able to get back these gates again.

The air port police too seemed helpless. They acted as if they have no come across such situation before. Anyway, I was taken to their control room in the basement. Imagine my predicament. The horrors shown on TV & movies came to my mind. After another round of check, a policeman and woman took me further back to the place where I had arrived. At this counter of Air France it was confirmed that I sure had traveled from Bangalore. So from there, the policewoman escorted me back to where it all began. Remember, nobody has agreed to make an announcement till now. An announcement to request anyone who found the documents to hand it over to the police. Anyway, we crossed the security gates, without proper documents, went straight to the Air France counter, the place where nobody was there when I first tried to check. Fortunately, my documents were there at the counter. Some good samaritan had returned them. I was happy, truly happy. After profusely thanking the policewoman and going through the security check again, I was ready for my journey again.

Some British Experiences ...

Sign in the toilets - Now please wash your hands.

Sign on the bath tub - Please rinse your hair and soap. It is disgusting to clean others' mess.

Sign in public transport - Please keep your feet off the seats.

Typical breakfast - Egg, bacon, sausage, chips, mushrooms, beans, coffee.

Transport - If you can read and understand English then you will have absolutely no problem. Pretty good signs and maps in place.

First Week End in UK - London

After the journey full of mishaps and very sober 3 days at work, the week-end had arrived. That too a long week-end. Since 1st May, the Labour Day, fell on a Saturday (no work day), the holiday is given on the next working day. So Monday 3rd May became a holiday. In India, if a holiday fell on a week-end, then that was it. But here in UK, there is no compromise on holidays. You the holidays and week-ends are two disjoint sets.

Before I start with the week-end, a word about the work days gone by. People here follow very flexible timings. Some arrive at work at 0700hrs and some others at 1000hrs. And everyone strictly follows the 8hrs a day rule. It is spring here. The season of long days. Sun rises at 0530hrs and sets at 2100hrs. Very long days indeed. I spent the three days at work trying to what was happening in the project. Met people and discussed. In the evenings, I searched for a room. A dwelling for myself. On Saturday, finalised a room, one of the four in a house in Croydon. Landlord being Mr. Costa Liasi, a Egyptian Greek. He is the only white here who pronounces and spells my name correctly.

Got up later than usual on Saturday, did not have to go to work. When I went to the Lloyds TSB to get my traveler's cheques en-cashed, I realised that they remain closed on Saturdays. Yesterday, they had closed at 1730hrs, sharp. I was in a soup. I needed cash to pay advance rent for the room. HSBC though was open. Updated my UK address there and deposited TCs in my account. Went to Marks & Spencer's to get 200GBP of TC en-cashed. Convinced Costa to accept TC. Shifted in the afternoon. Nice cosy place. It started drizzling in the evening and continued through the night. It got very cold. I did not realise that the heating in my room was not turned on. Could sleep only with my thermals on.

Got up very late on Sunday. It was still drizzling. Had to goo out for shopping. Turned the heating on. Set it to maximum. It drizzled throughout the day and the night too. Could not do much else. Went for a walk in the evening. Found a park nearby. Lush green and huge.

Sunday was different. Had slept better, so got up early too. Went for jog. Although the rain had stopped, it was chilly and windy. Ground was good. Met people and dogs. Watched a gang of bikers zoom by. Cleaned the room. Here, the vacuum cleaner is called a hoover. The sun was finally out in the afternoon. I went to London. Saw the Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Government Offices, Westminster Abbey, Scotland Yard etc.

This was my first trip to London. What I have realised is that Mumbai is not very different from London. I mean, as far was the way people live. London proper is not a vast place. Buckingham palace itself is smaller than out Rashtrapati Bhavan. London can be compared to South Mumbai. And the trains are comparable to the Mumbai locals. The difference is in weather andn population. I liked Mumbai very much. Am going to like London too!

Travel to UK. Part2 - Paris to London

Hello Again

So, after getting the passport and boarding pass back I went back to the internet kiosk. Checked mails, posted on blog, read news. Then I moved to board the connecting flight. The security person, after scanning my passport and boarding pass said, "So you are the one who had lost his passport?". I said, "Yes. Seems I have become famous." To this she responded with a smile. This plane was a small ATR. I could only take the laptop bag in. Was apprehensive about getting all my bags in Heathrow. At the aircraft, before we got out of the bus, a lady came in and called out a name. That happened to be the name of a fellow TCSer who was travelling with his wife. No explanation was given. He was just told that good that they were there. Flight was uneventful. At Heathrow, after immigration, I was asked to go for health control. Everything went smoothly. After coming out, I met the same couple. Their bags had not come! Bought a SIM, took a taxi, topped up the SIM on the way. Called home. Called the senior in Croydon. The taxi cost me 100 GBP. 25 GBP for the SIM and talk time. I was left with 25 GBP when I reached 27, 1st Floor Flat, Canning Road, Croydon - CR06QD. Lugged the bags in. Talked to the fellow. He cooked, I ate. Tried the Blackberry again, it did not work. Some App Error. May be it needs a software update. Dozed off with the lights on.

Travel to UK. Part1 - Bangalore to Paris

Charles de Gaule, Paris

27 April 2010

Yesterday, in India, I had a hell of a star to my journey. At the airport I realised that my checking bag was weighing 40kg and my cabin bag was weighing 21kg. My allowances were for 28kg and 12kg respectively. Since, parent's flight was on the next calendar day, they were not allowed in. I went in with the full load. There was a long queue at the Air France counter. The staff were offering money to travellers to postpone their travel. On my turn at the counter I was asked to rearrange the weight, and to use separate bag for laptop. Fortunately I had a spare bag and Mom was carrying my laptop bag. After rearranging I had to go through the queue again. The announcement that not all may be accommodated made maters worse. I was lucky enough to be allowed checking in. But not before paying $200 for the extra bag. The the emigration, the man missed stamping my boarding card, I had to return from security check. Finally boarded and took off. Parents were inside the airport by then.

Paris was pleasant. Had had a meal in the flight. So at the airport, after checking for the boarding gate for next flight, brushed my teeth, freshened up & proseeded to security. Security was smooth. Called Dad, checked mails, set new time zone in my watch and only then did I realise that the passport and boarding pass were not on me. I had dropped them some where. Bro, you were right, I did not lose my cool. Retraced my path, took help of security and finally located the lost stuff with Air France counter. Some good samaritan had found it. Am happy :-)

Rationality & Probability

SP & DJ decided to travel to B from M. DJ took charge of arranging the trip - tickets, travel, stay and all. SP was to visit GJ the first time. DJ had asked the travel agent to book tickets. The usual travel agent. DJ had been travelling on this route for years now. SP had not been keeping well. Same old upper respiratory tract problems. SP was not even aware of the D Day. It was Friday already and he had reached office in formal dressing. Aha, bt this was nothing comaperd to what was about to come.

During the day, SP's clients schedule a meeting on a day that was planned to be used personally in B. Things go further wrong in project. Travel agent tells DJ that he forgot to send the tickets. Sends a copy of the same and asks DJ to collect the duplicate at the station, certainly after paying requisite fees.

SP leaves office early, packs and sstarts fo Rly Stn in time. Traffic is bad, just manages to reach at the agreed time. Both DJ and SP reach MC in time. Enquire with the authorities. They corroborate the words of travel agent. They needed to pay 50% as fees for a duplicate ticket.

As they were about to go for dinner, enters Munna bhai. DJ is game to explore other opportunities. Munna bhai promises cheaper tickets. SP raises a doubt but is convinced with DJ's explanation. Halo effect. Although Munna bhai is stinking of alcohol, SP and DJ pay him advance and go for dinner. They wanted to cut losses. They wanted to teach the travel agent a lesson.

Having satisfied the taste buds, they come looking for Munna. He appears after some time. Asks for more money. SP and DJ are taken aback. Munna had asked Circuit to do the needful. Circuit booked the tickets under VIP quota. Now the cost for DJ and SP had doubled. Moreover DJ had given his PAN card to Munna.

After much negotiation, and feww more hundreds, PAN card was back. No tickets though. DJ and SP decided to do the right thing. But times had changed. And so had people. The person now at the counter wanted a FIR. FIR at 2300hrs. Not willing to give up, DJ and SP went to the Station Manager. After a call by him, the official at the counter agreed to give duplicate tickets.

Both DJ and SP travelled safe.

DJ= Dr Javed

SP = Sidharth Patro

B = Baroda

GJ = Gujrat

MC = Mumbai Central