Travel Tales – A Hotel Without Locks & Latches

Usually, my hotel stay is booked well in advance, of my travel dates. Nearly a decade ago, while traveling to Varanasi, I was finding it difficult to get a booking for a Hotel Room. My local Team there, assured me, that I was not to worry, and they would book for me directly.

When I landed in Varanasi, I discovered that there was an all-India Doctor’s Conference and that every hotel big and small was booked. My Team assured me, that we were trying other sources, and that, we would get a booking soon. So, we set out to complete the day’s agenda of meetings.

In the evening, when we could not still find a decent hotel room in the city, my local Branch Head proposed, that we go to Jaunpur a town about an hour and a half away, where he had traced a decent hotel, for a night’s stay. So, we went to the place and checked into this hotel, a little late around 10.30 pm, after finishing the day’s agenda.

Soon after getting into the room, I found that there was no door lock or latch for the room. So, I called the hotel manager, who was effusively polite enough, to come over to my room.

Me: The door can't be locked from the inside…the latch is missing.

Hotel Manager: Sir we had all the locks and latches removed from all the rooms. Please keep the chair against the door, so that it will not open.

Me: But that is ridiculous, anyone can come into the room, at night, when I am sleeping!

Hotel Manager: Sir…we had a suicide in the hotel a few days back and could not open the room. So, we have taken this step.

Me: Had I known this…I would not have checked into the hotel. It's so late now…it would be difficult to find another hotel.

Hotel Manager: Yes Sir. Hotels here are also booked…due to this Doctors' Conference in Varanasi.

Being a little curious…I asked…

Me: Where did this suicide happen?

He did not answer me directly…but just happened to look up…at the Fan….in my Room…

I did not sleep that night!!!