We landed in Bagdogra at 1140AM. Next stop was Gangtok. We saw a Helicopter service to Gangtok. There was a bleak chance that we might be able to get a seat on the 2:00 pm shuttle.
The guy at the counter said,
Sir, you have to wait for 2 hours. And it will take 30 mins to reach Gangtok. And there is a chance of cancellation due to bad weather.. And you might not get a seat also. Rather, take a cab directly now. You will reach in 4.5 hours.
This, I am telling you, is possibly the biggest lie I have heard in recent times.
We took a cab.
– Innova.
– 7 adults, all medium built,
– 7 medium sized suitcases,
– 7 small backpacks,
– one surprised driver, and
– absolutely no free space in the car.
Seeing our weight and luggage, the driver decided to change the car tyres. We were a bit annoyed about the extra 30-minute delay. Little did we know what awaited us.
After about 30 mins of travel, the traffic started slowing down and eventually we came to a standstill. Yes. We are not moving. Not an inch. And kilometres of traffic, on a single lane in front of us and piling up behind us.
We are 8 people in the small Innova. Yes. The Innova felt small then. Our hips and bodies have no place to move. There is no air also between us. To add to this, the temperature is around 29 degrees. It’s hot. And the vehicle is not moving. We are all sweating.
We sit expecting the traffic will clear. But it doesn’t. After about 20 mins, we all are super irritated, disappointed, sweaty, physically and mentally compressed. We have nothing to do, we are unable to sit, and we don’t know when we will move.
No amount of good music, jokes, food, water is relieving us. After 30 mins, everyone is irritated about anything and everything. The “dil chahta hai” song that people were vibing with an hour ago, feels like noise from the stupid speakers.
Enough, We decide to get down from the car and walk. Where? We don’t know. But we won’t sit in this non moving car even for a second longer.
The moment we got down from the car, our hips and legs fall to their feet to thank us. Blood ran around all those organs like a dog having zoomies. I took a full breath of air. I could hear my lungs thanking me. And when I bent back to stretch my back and hands, it felt better than an expensive Thai massage.
We started walking. The road was right beside the river Teesta. Oh my god!! She was beautiful. We took a bunch of her pictures. And started walking. Walking walking walking. We walked more than 3 kilometers. The traffic was not moving. But it’s ok. We can’t do much now. This is the best we can do given the current situation.
An hour and half later, our car finally caught up with us. Darkness was setting in. Traffic was still bad. We had no idea when we’d reach Gangtok.
After an hour or excruciating traffic, the traffic slowly started moving. A ray of hope emerged. We will reach Gangtok today.
After 10 exhausting hours (instead of the promised 4.5), we finally arrived in Gangtok. We quickly checked into our rooms. After a traumatic exhausting journey, a comfortable room and clean mattress welcomed sleep.
I slept well. Amazingly well. Woke up next day at 8.
Endless thoughts 