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India has a slogan to promote tourism “Incredible India”, as I have experienced several incredible things but in this visit, I did lots. I was really avid to work in “queen of the hills” and almost jumped happily when I got an offer. On 18th, I flew from Frankfurt and found more excited though it was not my first Darjeeling visit. At Frankfurt Airport, when I checked in, the lady in Counter was confused that whether I need visa or not. She spent around 15 minute to find out the fact. But I was interesting that she made my luggage directly to Kolakata, although, I wanted it in Delhi.

Around 4.45 AM, we landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. I completed all formalities around 5.30 AM and out from the Airport. Since, my next flight to Kolakata was at 17.00, I thought to sleep for a while at a Hotel. Then I made a call at Hotel and asked a Taxi driver. First, the driver was so loyal and good to me and he asked me about the hotel. I gave him full address and we drove. But on the way he asked me a hotel near to the domestic airport and I said might be a good idea just to have a look if it is on the way. Oh my god, the driver was talking to the hotel in Hindi that he can charge me and give him 60% commission, as he thought that I can’t understand Hindi coz I am Japanese. I was just smiling and thinking how to get rid off so, I demanded many things at Hotel, like wireless networking, international call, which they couldn’t offer me. But that driver still trying to me another hotels, but I refused to go with him and asked him to take me at my hotel. He was furious and asked me taxi fare, and I just gave him 20 Rs because I told him it is penalty that he didn’t fulfill his word to drive me to the hotel.

I left him and suddenly I got an Auto and took it. But he was following me. So, I thought it is better to spend whole day at Airport that he can’t enter. He followed me till I entered the domestic airport and was wandering here and there for about an hour. It was really horrible situation anyway I could escaped and passed whole day at airport lobby trying to sleep but always driver’s face was around me. Thanks god, he thought me Japanese and I can understand Hindi. At airport, I met one guy from London, who also faced same problem. So, only pre-paid taxi is the better way to get rid off all these incidents.

Air India vs. Indian Airlines

Since, I booked ticket in Frankfurt; they made my ticket for Delhi –Kolakata too. Air India flight is called AI and it was written same. But, when I checked up at Domestic Airport, Police didn’t allow me to enter because there is no AI flight. I thought I am ****ed by Indians again, but asked to the Airline staff and they cleared me that same Airline but they called AI in International Sector and IC in domestic sector, poor policemen doesn’t aware alike me. After checking, I went to security check, but they didn’t allow me to enter. I asked why, the policeman said I don’t have tag in my hand baggage. Really funny, when I tried to argue that why you need tag for hand luggage, he replied he needs to stamp to prove that hand baggage is checked, so again I had to back out get tag from the counter and then they allowed me to enter.


Terrible Night

The flight was delayed for 2 hours and I was landed at Kolakata Airport around 9.00 PM. I was so tired and in great hurry to reach at my accommodation as soon as possible. But, no luggage, shit I don’t know what to do and not to do. Then made complain and back to accommodation, which was booked for me. It was a hostel a Mission and supported by German charities. I took pre-paid taxi at airport and drove towards the accommodation. After about 45 minute drive, the driver told me that Sir it is your place. But I asked him that you were told to drop me off at Mission hostel. He replied that “no sir, your booking is up to here, it is just a Kilometer far, if you want me to drive you then pay me 60 Rs”. Shit….. I paid 320 Rs for 30 km and he was asking 60 Rs for less than a kilometer. But I had no choice because it was already 11.00 PM and the place was dark and lonely. So I agree to pay him that amount and he drop me off at hostel gate.

After I entered the gate, I saw reception, an old man around 80, was talking on phone. He just me “ kya chahiye ? (What you need?), I asked him about my booked room. He just replied wait a moment and talked on phone about half an hour giving me damn. After he ended up, he called somewhere and told me to go gate # 8. I asked an Auto and he drove me off in front of one gate. But nobody was there, I found by a trespasser that gate never opened and it was named “blind gate”. Then I ran back at same place, but one Drunkard stopped me and started to interview me – where are you from? What you need? Why you are here? …… Oh my god…. I wanted to run way but he stopped me. At last, he permitted me to go at main gate.

But, reception was closed; I saw light there and tried to enter. One man stopped me “what you are looking for?, he was so rude. I just replied him room. He arrogantly told “this is not hotel, who told you to look room here?”. Oh my got, that old man also not there, I briefed him all, but still he was telling, there are lots of mission, you might be at wrong place”. Then I asked him, I want to call my colleague who had booked for me. But he refused to allow me to call and I had to look some public phone out, but I found a shop opened. It was mobile shop and I thought to buy a simcard. I bought in Rs. 199, the seller told me that I will get Rs. 20 balance, but when I dialed the number I got a message “you have not sufficient balance to make a call”. Shit, it was just Rs. 5 balance. Therefore, I recharged it and about to call, that fellow from the reception came in hurry and talking politely that sir it was our mistake, you have to go this way and arranged a rickshaw for me. Latter, I found that the head of the mission had booked for me as his guest because my supervisor, who is one of the sponsor, asked him a room for me.

Next morning, we had to call at airport as they suggested me to find out the status of my luggage. As, I called them again same problem persisted of Ai vs IC. The guy informed me that I have to call International office, but I had complained at domestic office because I flew by domestic flight. Anyway, I called at international office, a lady with a sweet voice but rude behave told me that she has no time to note down the complaint and order to fax. I had no way, my supervisor became furious and tries to call in Delhi but they said, sorry sir, you have to ask Kolakata. We faxed them and I thought better to go Airport and meet them in person.
When I entered the baggage section, it was around 1.20 PM and an old guy and a boy around 24 were having biscuits. I told them about my problem and the old fellow said that all are out for lunch and come at 2.30 PM. Shit; I was also hunger but had to wait for an hour. So, I asked him “can you do that job?” He became furious and shout at me that “don’t you see I am eating come at 2.30 PM”. I just wanted him to punch but said sorry and sit in lobby just to kill the time. Around, 20 minute later that fellow came down, hang around the airport for 5 minutes, sometimes peeping at me. And came near to me and asked politely “what is your problem come with me”. Oh my god, he was so helpful and tracked my luggage that was at Delhi Airport. He called in Delhi and asked them to send my luggage immediately. But again AI vs. IC problem, Delhi informed that they are unable to send that luggage via domestic flight due to custom business. So, I had to wait till Sunday because they have one connecting international flight via Delhi- Mumbay- Kolakata.

Anyway, now I am in Darjeeling, queen of the hills, feeling home. So, feeling great to work with Nepalese Diaspora and talking about their Gorkhaland Movement. Weather is crazy that heavy rain with hail. Hopefully, it will improve soon. I have to go back to Kolakata just to collect my luggage. I don’t know when it will be delivered, but I had to buy everything for me to survive till I get my luggage. Anyway, I am enjoying here and just you have to think about Incredible India, while you are traveling.

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Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

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Experience is the best teacher, it could be of high price sometimes!

Good thing is you are safe and sound.... malai ta kina kina India ko cops haru dekyo ki paresh rawal jasto lagchha ...India is fun country to travel and equally irritating country to travel too.

oh my god. i got luggage yesterday. everything is ok.......... hehehe..... but really shit India. you know here also they know me from my acent and try to cheat........ tut

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Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

ya i am safe here. but still insecure to be cheated........ hehee. not only irritating its more boring too......... Bengali noise.......... oh my god..........

__________________
Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.