....and the journey continues T.M.W.L. Part II

"Flight no. 6E 0429 the boarding is about to begin proceed to gate 23E." Ohw so that is my flight, it is time to head to the gate but where is it ??? This was my first journey alone but not my first visit to the airport and I simply couldn't find the gate (yeah well funny ya!) ah! there is the arrow to the gate and it is downstairs (sometimes the brain behaves strangely panics at petty things !) and in the next 15 minutes I was on the flight (A long Que + a bus ride + finding the seat ). Yay!!! It is real, my solo trip to Mumbai is happening and for the next few days it will be like mai aur meri tanhaiyee to be less dramatic in the bliss of solitude! After the take off, it was the usual people sleeping, eating, chatting and I also saw a few people binge watching series (ya I did peep into peoples phones, I was just killing my curiosity if the series would interest me!)"Please fasten your seat belts we expect turbulence because of the heavy rain." I said to myself, "And now the real adventure begins!" Trust me it was scary, the plane rocked like a cradle and I could see dark clouds and rain outside the window (Nope the window pane was still open). After much of a struggle the plane landed. As I stepped out,it was pouring, felt a sudden thrill like adrenaline.I was not at all worried about getting drenched I simply boarded the bus thereafter collected my suitcase from the belt and started walking my way out. 

It was clear, I am to book a cab to my hotel in Andheri how difficult can that get. No cabs - my app said. Umm...there are few kiosks which books cabs lets try there. The guy booked a cab for me. I called the driver of the cab and mentioned that I'll go to andheri but I just could not understand what he said. Yes it was Hindi but the accent was different I just just couldn't understand. He cancelled the ride. I was frantic now like how will I make it till the hotel at least leave alone exploring the city. It was like a loop went to a different vendor booked cab, the cabbie cancelled and I was unable to convince him to go the Andheri East happened with every vendor I tried ! WHAT IS WRONG! Do I need to walk till there, I knew it is 15 minutes from the airport in car and not by foot but with my bag and rain how will I make it. I overheard someone talking "Parle bridge gir gaya hai sara raasta block kar diya hai isliye bahut traffic hai" Oh so that is what the other cabbie said that because of the flyover he will be stuck now I can connect atleast a little bit. But how does it matter, I still do not have a ride to the hotel. I was worried, fuddled and I just stood still outside the airport and had no clue what to do next. And suddenly my phone rang, the cabbie said I'm right outside the parking lot waiting for you can you please quickly come, there is already a lot of traffic. I was like really ? I went on arguing that are you sure that it is booking in my name I have not received any text with your name and number. The cabbie was patient and in a calm voice he said, it is booked you can come and check and can you please be a little quick. I reached the location that he had mentioned, he was actually a gentleman must be in the mid forties, he instantly helped me with my luggage me being me (had to be extra cautious) I was like first you show me your phone I wanna see for myself if it is my name and there "Naina" it read. This is some kind of a miracle I have not received any details of this cab but he has every single detail about my trip - name, number, and the destination. Phew! this is unreal but real how this happened every possible cab had cancelled and I received notification each time. Anyway, I trusted him, gave my bag and didn't even check if he was running away with it or placing in the boot(common thought while you are travelling alone and you see everyone as a prospective thief) I was completely drenched by now I made myself comfortable in the cab, he started the trip and we were off! The cabbie started talking about the flyover collapse and the situation of traffic and why Andheri is a strict no no because of it. People in Mumbai treat you as if your belong there, I never felt even for a moment that I was not from here I just blended in instantly. Have been to other metro cities too but this was certainly different and just the beginning. Oh well! a bumpy beginning. I looked out of the car window like some kid in the candy store, amused to look at traffic which was almost still not moving at all. Madam, "do I take the left instead of waiting and then the right? it would be faster isn't it ? " I was kinda talking to myself... directions here in Mumbai, I am usually good with roads but in Calcutta, well I'm game let us learn the map here too. Quickly opened my buddy "The Google Map" identified the lane and give him directions like a pro who has lived in the city from forever! Reached the destination, the cabbie smiled and said "apko pahucha diya madamji, ap chinta kar rahe the" I was like I would have been still stranded if it wasn't for you and thanked him. Checked in the hotel, the bellhop took my bag and escorted to my room. It is in the 6th floor he mentioned while we were in the lift, Ding! the elevator door opened. Here Ma'am your keys and I've kept your bag inside. 

Room# 602 is going to be my home for the next few days I smiled like from ear to ear!

to be continued...