Shared Cab from Siliguri

Towards the end of 2009, I got off the heavily crowded train at Siliguri after a night long travel and headed to Pelling in Sikkim. Today, as I read this wonderful account of the journey of the author from Siliguri to Darjeeling, I am reminded of my own from Siliguri to Pelling. The events that transpired when I traveled were a lot different from what you would read in the link provided, but, the essence, the mood, the setting remains the same. The writing brings the journey alive. Tragicocomedia is a wonderful blog and it captures travel in its true spirit. 

Graffiti in Dhaka

I had to get to Bashundhara from Gulshan in Dhaka and I spotted this very deep question on the wall that has remained with me ever since I have seen it. It is an amazing thought and I am very impressed by the question itself. It brings forth the assumptions and boundaries we hold on to or surround ourselves with. Do I have an answer to this? No. 

I managed to click a photo of the same and here it is. 

The graffiti artist - Guerilla (check their website, they have some amazing work!) couldn't have come up with a more relevant question today that we all should ask ourselves. The answer need not come the minute the question is asked, but, to keep this question at the back of the mind definitely makes the world a lively place to live. Doesn't it?

The Auto drivers in Mumbai. Something is wrong.

What is with the auto-wallah's in Mumbai? If I have to pay them 33 rupees as per the meter, the auto driver smiles and tells me 30 is alright! I am seriously worried, especially because, yesterday when I asked an auto driver for the route to a mall, he said he would drop me half way as he is heading in the same direction. The most painful part is that he didn't want money for it! When the point where he said he would drop me was reached, he refused to take me money because he was only dropping me at a place he chose and failed in his duty to drop me at a place I wanted to go to. No, you don't understand. It went to the extent of me trying to push money into his pocket and he was laughing and pushed my hand away!

The other day, when I had to pay 28 rupees as per the meter and neither the auto driver nor me had the exact change and I had paid 30 rupees, the auto driver refused to acknowledge to my pleas of 'let it be and keep 30' and got change after getting it from fruit vendor at the other end of the road!

I tell you what, something is seriously wrong with the world I live in these days. 

Communication from Buzz, the Mosquioto

 You there who calls himself Sleepyface,

I have a name and I'd rather you address me by my name. I'm not just any mosquito you'd meet on your food. I deserve some respect and I will not tolerate this treatment from you. If you want to fight, confront me instead of whining in your blog.

As far as the desk and the boundaries that you have whined about are concerned, I am well within my boundary. You place yours on the chair, the desk part is mine.

Sharpening my knives
Buzz

An Open Letter

Dear Mosquito on my desk,


The two of us may share the desk and the view from the window, but, it does not mean you can cross boundaries at your behest. The cold coffee kept on this table is for me and not for you. Presently, I have covered the mug with a paper and I can see you are walking all over the paper searching for the froth. I don't know if it is written on which wall or which stone, but, I do know that it is written on this blog that I will not  part with my coffee with you. That coffee is for me.


Your accommodating desk mate,
Sleepyface