It has been three years since I came last time to India. In fact this can be said as the longest interval in between the India tour. All my other journeys were to the northern, East and central India, and this is the first time i am here in south of India, a different culture all together.
I was scheduled to leave Bangladesh by 9th, but I had some problem in my visa and changed the date to 10th November, at the last moment. My of my friends did not know that and I had all of them surprised by visiting them on 10th November. While I toured to Benapole by Sohag AC bus, I can advise everyone to chose Non-AC, especially in this winter season, or carry a blanket. Our bus reached benapole border in 6 AM on 11th and with the cooperation of Shohag people, the border crossing was easier than ever, looks like the interim govt has an effect on the productivity. Shohag bus goes up to Kolkata, so they did everything in the Indian customs and immigration and saved us from the pain of system.
We were disheartened with the Benapole to Kolkata part; the bus is not good, the driving was worse. But given the condition, I can not suggest you any more option. surely you can go to Bongaon rail station and go to kolkata by train, saving 60% cost in less time, but we did not try since I had my mother with me.
In Kolkata I collected my train ticket, and should I say, never think of buying ticket after reaching Kolkata, have it fixed long time ahead; Indian tickets are booked minimum six days before the departure. Or just pay the travelers 200 rupees more. Our train was on the next day, so I went out as usual for flirting in Newmarket area. Last time i was more successful, I should say, in terms of conversion rate of conversation. But all in all, Kolkata girls are beautiful as ever. As usual I did not shop a single string, yet went to every shop and tried all other bachelor tricks and when i had enough, I retired to my hotel.
Next day was my train journey day, journey of 30 hours. Needless to say we had two berths of four berth AC-2 tier compartment, so two berths was to occupied. And by now since you know me, needless to say that the other two seats were for a very beautiful 18 year old shy housewife, and her husband. she can speak only Hindi, and I loved every moment talking to her and her husband, a software engineer working in Chennai. She has never seen any other town other than Bihar, and this is the first time she is going with her husband to his home, to their first home, from her in-laws' house. being a seven month bride, and having overworked by far in her Brahman father-in-law's house, I could see the joy and excitement of stating a new life. We had a great time together while hearing her descriptions of plans of new interiors, new lifestyles to her husband. The sights are breathtaking, and all the time the train moves by the shore, though you never the Indian Ocean from the train road. The sights are the best part of the journey, and you have to admire the taste of the train dinner also (if you take chicken chili, which I took).
Coming to Chennai, after 30 hours, in the evening 6 PM on the next day, I felt like first time in a foreign country. Not only the language is different, the attitude is different too. they have pre paid taxi system that no one follows, so I paid prepaid first in vain and then 100 rupees again for a distance not more than 5 Km. And then, I got a lodge full of patients, mostly from Bengali speaking states, low rate and low facilities all the way. I came out for food with my mom at 8 PM, only thing that one can eat here is the Cakes. You may have to walk up to miles to find a Bengali hotel, but don’t worry, foods are not Bengali, they are just the Bengali version of South dishes. Anyway, I took some rice with so called vegetables and got back to hotel by 9 PM.
By 9.30, we were asleep. Totally.