My Trivandrum Diaries - Part 1

It was the first time, I was travelling by flight.

Sitting alone in an aircraft is like seeing a shrink.

Especially, when you're going away from your home for the first time. Memories of your place and bundles of advises by family members. Doesn't matter you're a guy or a girl, a special set of advices are always there for you.

Before I could recollect all those advises, an announcement happened, "Please wear your seat belt, we're about to land at Trivandrum airport in 10 mins". I looked at my watch, it was 11.50 AM.

Pleasant morning it is.

It was drizzling when I stepped out of the deck. An air hostess with her hands folded in a position of Namaste said "Thank you" with a warm smile.

Pretty girl. How can these girls maintain… such a sweet smile all the time…!!!

As I was heading towards Exit, my mind was filled with the thoughts of how my hostel is going to be and all, I didn’t realize when I collected my luggage and came outside the airport.

‘Sir, technopark??’

‘Sir, technopark??’

A bunch of taxi drivers was asking the same question to me. I didn’t take one, as my friend had suggested to not take a taxi directly from the airport as they charge a higher fare. I was waiting for an auto. Almost 20 minutes passed but could see no sign of any auto around. As I was new to the place, I didn’t even know which direction I should start walking. After a few more minutes of wait, I saw a gentleman passing from there. 

“Excuse me, uncle, where can I find an auto??”

“Auto stand is a bit far from here, but where do you want to go??”

“Kaniyapuram.”

“Ohh… Do one thing, come with me, I’m going towards auto stand only…”

I started following him.

After around 10 min of walk-in mild rain, we reached to an auto stand.

I started telling about my hostel address to one of the auto driver in Hindi. He was in confusion. I tried in English. More confusion. That uncle came with a slight smile and took the details from me and conveyed it to the auto driver in Malayalam.

He was ready to drop me to the hostel but he told something to that gentleman.

“Actually, he’s asking for return fare as well, it’s how they charge here.”

“Ok, but I doubt he will take me via longer path for more wages.”

“No no, don’t worry, people here don’t do that.”

With no other option left, I sat inside the auto, and we started. The cool and calm environment outside was really good. I was finding it comfortable. A lot of coconut trees, pleasant climate and clean roads. It’s the Gods’ own country anyway.

During my auto journey, I tried to talk to the driver regarding the address of the hostel but couldn’t succeed. I called the hostel coordinator and handover the phone to the driver, they talked something in Malayalam and finally, I felt he got the correct address.

I started wondering, We Indians are so flexible when it comes to pursuing our dreams, just half an hour ago I was in a flight, now in an auto, yet everything seems so fine.

I didn’t have any idea about the place or people still I trusted that driver, driver of this universe…

All was well.

                                                                                                                                                               (To be continued)