Bangalore Blues

I had been recently to Bangalore, and I think I will have to go there again... This time for two whole weeks. Oh Shit… Its still not confirmed... but let’s see.

Its not that I hate that place, but I do not like it as well. After spending my entire time in Mumbai, and then going to that place, many things don’t make sense. It just doesn’t.
The foremost of them are the Auto Rickshaws. If Himesh Reshamiya had ever been to Bangalore he would really start hating Auto Rickshaw walas there. And frankly, I really hoped he had been there... since that would have avoided making the unbearable torture movie of all times "App ka Suroor". That was just a thought..I know he would have made it anyways... how else will the world know Why he doesn't smile or Why he wears a Hat .. or why cant he sing or why...... is anybody still reading !!!

Anyways.. Coming back to the point, I hated the auto guys there.. Since there is no fairness left in any one of them. I had to deal with around 30 auto guys during my past visit.. and I have in all paid 30 times more to them... being stood around for 30 minutes each time for gaining sympathy of any Auto Guy to take me where I wanted to go... every time I needed an auto. Of course we were allowed to take cars.. But then, I had to go out for non official purposes, for which I couldn’t take one. It’s not what you think, but we didn’t really get good dinner any place close where we stayed.

The worst incident was the day I reached.. I was coming back after having dinner with my colleague. We were put up at different places for the first day.. dat was due to some confusion while booking.. so had to travel alone. We negotiated with a Auto guy with double rate at 10:00 PM. We thought that was loot.. but later realized it was a steal. I know.. living in Mumbai.. even an Auto at 11:30 PM will be normal meter rates. But in Bangalore, we have paid almost Rs 200 to travel 1 KM at 11 at night and mind you.. that was at proper city places.. not long lost deserts.

Anyways.. after settling for double fare, I was happy that the night was over. While we were going, after a while.. some place in middle I asked him.. do you know where we going. He said this is where u said "Airport Road". I just told him.. "I said, Airport Road, Diamond district". He schrreched to halt. He shouted saying, “you said Airport Road and not Diamond District". BTW, for those who dont know Diamond district is on Airport Road. It was late and I didn’t want to argue, but I still managed to ask him.."Airport Road is so long.. the way you are going you will reach Airport.. Diamond district is before that.. so what is the problem". He said, it will charge me more. Now, I really hated to answer him back.. but something in me just made me ask him.. "When u agreed to take me where I asked.. where did you think I will go on Airport Road". Since he did not take me on meter and took fixed charge, where exactly did he think I wanted to go. To that he said "Just till here" . Now he had stopped me in the middle of a road and that too since I asked him if where you are going, I realized he thinks I am new and alone ... so chance to make a quick buck Asking for double rate was not loot enough.. he wanted more. Basically I asked him a wrong question and he took an opportunity to get more out of it. Now, I don’t think I have ever done this before, but I was shocked with the attitude of this guy. I said.. "You stop me here.. i will not pay you anything". He did'nt reply.. I just got down and started walking…..

He started speaking in his language.. and I could guess he wasn’t praying. I reached a phone booth and asked the guy where is Royal Orchid hotel... that’s where i wanted to go. The Auto Guy also went up to him and started explaining him something. I couldn’t understand what he said.. Since it was entirely in the state language. Whatever the version he said.. the good phone booth guy realized that he was trying to take me for a ride... so instead he told him to take me to my hotel.. as it wasnt far from where he had stopped.

So after some 10 minutes of arguing.. he took me there. At the gate of the hotel, since he wasn't allowed to enter in, some five star guidelines…, I had to get down at the gate which was again lonely at that time. Security was behind the gate. I took out the money. He then says… he doesnt have change.. so I will need to get it. I now realized that he is just trying to give a hard time .. since he didnt get his way before. I said fine.. and I started walking towards the gate. I wasn’t carrying anything.. and it was dark. I was determined.. if i entered the gate.. I will not come back till next morning. To hell with him. He also thought I wont come back.. so he said.."Saheb... not that side.. we will go back and get it from the nearest store". I said, "You are driving, and you don’t have change.. and you want me to come with you at 11:00 at night .. dat too for you !!! You can go and get change.. I am waiting.. I didnt give him any money. So now.. he wasnt ready to leave.. and I wasn’t ready to go with him an extra inch.. I was again stranded. I thought.. What worst can happen !!!! I had the Hotel security just few meters away.. and I really didn’t want that guy to get his way... If it was someone else.. I would have told him to keep the change…. but not with this guy. So he started shouting…”You don’t know who I am… blah blah !!” . I have never really confronted anyone like this, that too in an unknown place.. at close to midnight. I just said.."I don’t have change.. you don’t have change.. and I wont come with you. What do you want to do you decide.. And I don’t want to know who you are." There was a silence for sometime… and then he finally realized I wasn’t budging... so with fist of anger, he reached his pocket.. took out a bundle of Ten Rupees notes and handed me exact change. I smiled and I walked away.