In Transit: A Day With An Assistant Professor of Law in Bhubaneswar

The 18 hour bus journey from Hyderabad brought me to Baramunda Bus Stand this morning at 0900 hours and a good friend of mine, Alok; who has agreed to host me for the weekend was waiting on the other corner of the town. I was tired yet happy to cover more than 1400 km of road trip without much hassle and so went ahead to get an auto-rickshaw, so to reach where Alok was waiting for me. Just then I got a call from MKK, she was wanting to meet me from the time I came down to Bhubaneswar last week enroute to Hyderabad. Though, she had her classes, but she still offered to pick me up and drop me to the spot where my friend was waiting for me. Who was I to deny a lift, but on one condition; I would ride. She was not ready to allow me that because apparently I didn't have my helmet and she had no extra helmet with her.

Anyway, I reached to Jaydev-Vihar Chokko. "Chokko" is Odiya for roundabout or cross-roads in Odissa. So don't be surprised when someone screams Chokko-Chokko rather than Chowk. She was waiting there for me and when she saw me, she almost fainted because she could fathom the fact that I was traveling like an expat or foreign tourist; with a huge 70 ltr backpack as well as a daypack. She came next to me on her Scooty and I opened my backpack to pull out a full-face helmet. That was another shock for her, "Why would I keep a helmet?"

Once I had my helmet on and we rode off to Pattiya Chokko, the ride was smooth yet a bit uncomfortable for me. This was because this 75cc 2-stroke scooter has no gear and it runs like motorized bicycle. But who was I to complain, the ride was fun. We reached to the destination and found our friend staring onto something or someone. MKK went and surprised him; he did take sometime to get out of the shock because he was expecting me to come in an auto-rickshaw.

MKK rushed back to her college and I and Alok had Coconut-water to quench our thirst. I was definitely very thirsty because I only had a liter of water in the past 20 hours. Then we walked a kilometer to reach his 3 BHK appartment, where he lives. A huge place two kilometers away from Pattiya Chokko that he got for INR 7,000/- a month. Reminds me of my Mumbai days where I used to pay INR 8,000/- for a small garage like space. Anyway, I took shower and then we went out to have brunch, which was indeed delicious.

We ordered a simple Odia Thali, which consisted of Rice, Dal, Curry, Dry vegetable, Pickle, Deep fried vegetable chips. The curry in the small dish is Paneer-Aalloo (Cheese-Potato) Curry. On the left side is a sweet made of condensed milk, which Alok deemed absolutely heavy for him to eat.

After lunch we went back to his flat and had a little fun with GREEN. Then I had to go out see someone so I returned back around 1700 hours and then we went out to KIIT gate, which is the most happening place in the evening; in Pattiya. It was time for me to pack some food into my stomach and treat my host lavishly. 

Our first pick was delicious chicken kabab, which was available on the street right next to the KIIT gate for INR 20/- a stick. It was a bit over grilled, so the juices were dried and the kabab was a bit dry as well as hard.

Then we headed a bit further and found a chain of small shops, which were actually budget eateries. One of them was serving Shawrma, which was for INR 50/- each. We had to had that without fail because I had it last in Bangalore with my cousin. 

We ordered two and the shop next to it served flavoured soda. I had a Fruit Beer soda and Alok had a Cola soda. Later we again helped ourselves with a second serving of Fruit Beer soda.

Then we rushed back to his place and Alok called for an auto-rickshaw to drop me to Vani-Vihar Chokko, from were I was suppose to catch my bus back to Jamshedpur. He was also helpful in calling the agent to book a seat for me and I had to pay for it in the bus after boarding. The auto-rickshaw charged INR 170/- for a distance of 7 km, which was reasonable for night. The bus trip costed me INR 350/- which is good considering the distance from Bhubaneswar to Jamshedpur is 450 km.

Tomorrow, I'll be back in Jamshedpur and from Monday; I shall start running again.

Hyderabad: My First Day Of Adventure With Decathlon and Hyderabad Biryani

The train reached right at 07:30 hours to Secunderabad Railway Junction. Now let me tell you something about this place. It's on the East side of Hussain Sagar lake, which could be marked as a major landmark on the map as well as this is the separating point of the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Now I was to go to see an old friend Ashwini, with whom I was to stay in Hyderabad. He stays close to Gachibowli Stadium in North Hyderabad, right next to the Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway; so a ride of an hour was assured.

I caught a bus to his place and the ride begins. I must say that the AC and luxury city buses of Secunderabad-Hyderabad are amazing. They are tidy and are well connected to every corner of this twin city. I had to fall in love with the public transportation instantly; I did. Ashwini was expecting me. Hence he came to pick me up and it was a pleasant sight because I was seeing him after almost 5 years.

We went to his home, which was cozy because of his hospitality. I must admit that it's not the materialistic things that someone offers me, which makes me happy; but the emotions with which it is offered to me. And he is one of the finest people I have the privilege to know of. At his place I met another old friend Ashutosh. They both briefed me all about the city transportation, while I listened carefully.

Now they were gone for work and I quickly freshened up to get going for Decathlon Store, which is situated close to Hyderabad Airport.

Reaching Decathalon

Though I was told by Ashwini as well as the store guys to catch the City-Airport Connecting Bus, which would have costed me INR 200/- for one trip. However, adventurous me; I wanted to try the alternative route. Hence, I took a share auto to Gachibowli Flyover and then took a bus from there to Mehadipattnam. Then I caught another bus to the nearest neighborhood to the airport; which was a highway. Then a shared cab to the airport, after which an 800 meters walk to the Decathalon store. I reached the store drenched in sweat, but the moment I entered there; I was mesmerized.

It was a HUGE STORE for professional athletes and aspiring athletes. Each and every item over there was meant for some sport or other. I took a round of the store and then went into the "Runner's" section meant for men. I would have just ended up buying a cap and the running shorts, but then I met the store manager Tribhuvan Reddy, who gave me an insight into the various running products and also helped me buy the Dry-fit long socks. The bill came a whooping INR 3975/-.

Session of Supercoach Bill Pierce

One of the Decathalon store staff, Bhuvan told me about the particular session; which was to be held in Banjara Hills. Coincidentally, the venue was right beside the Marathon route. Hence, I was more excited and so Bhuvan took me on his bike to the seminar and it was a good session that I had in a long time.

Hyderabad Biryani

Post talk, Bhuvan took me to Hyderabad House at Hitech-I. That eatery is famous because many celebrities come there for good food. Indeed, I had to try it out and ordered chicken biryani for myself and he ordered mutton biryani. I must say, I couldn't finish the biryani, but the flavor was out of this world.

After the dinner, I took a bus to the nearest walking point to my friend's place and called it a fulfilling day.

Bhubaneswar To Hyderabad

I reached Bhubaneswar at 03:30 hours and the train to Hyderabad was at 08:00 hours in the morning. To top everything off, there were mosquitoes and I needed to get some more sleep without missing the train.

Well, I had some sleep and an early morning breakfast before I boarded the train. This train is to take me to Secunderabad railway station by 07:30 hours tomorrow morning.

Since I already had a heavy breakfast, I was not much keen on having anything anymore. Hence, I slept till noon and woke up to the chattering of few girls on the next birth. They seem to be students from some college and going back home. In the meanwhile the pantry car attendant crossed offering Biryani of various flavors. Though, I am going to the land of many things and especially Biryani, but I had to eat something; so why not start with Biryani itself. So I asked for Egg Biryani, which was for a descent INR 70/-. I had it hurriedly and I was still hungry. In one of the stations, I bought another Egg Biryani from the station vendor, which was for INR 50/-; equally delicious. My last meal was again an Egg Biryani at night from another station vendor somewhere on the boarder of Orissa and Telangana, for INR 80/-. A lot of difference in price, while the flavor and quantity was almost the same.

Well, that was all for the day and night in the train. Tomorrow I shall be with a very old friend of mine in the city of Nawabs; Hyderabad.

Traveling To Hyderabad...

After a year of many mishaps and efforts to get my life back on track. This is the beginning of a good travel for me. Today I board a train to Bhubaneswar from Tatanagar Junction and tomorrow I shall catch a connecting train to Hyderabad. The entire journey would be a bit more than 24 hours, but since i am to do a break journey; it would be convenient.

The reason I am going to Hyderabad is to participate in the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, which is considered as the nation's toughest city marathon. I have no idea what is there that makes it so tough, but the anticipation of something great lies within me. Let's see what happens this Sunday morning.

For now, I have to pack and get ready for the train that will depart from Jamshedpur this evening at 2000 hours.

Chicken Sandwich at Cafe Regal

Sometimes climbing stairs are excellent, if its towards Cafe Regal; for Chicken Sandwich with potato chips and Coffee. That's what I did after a crazy Sunday spent on writing articles and press-releases for my clients. A break was what I needed desperately and I had to try a new place. What would have been better than Varun's Cafe Regal.

Well, I reached there by 5:35 PM, climbed up and the entire staircase was giving me the same feeling as if I was in an old building; somewhere in Mumbai. The door was open and through the transparent glass panel I saw that the cafe was empty. Perfect! That was the word, which popped up in my head. I could have something delicious without being compelled to listen other people's conversation.

The staff was exponentially courteous and brought what I ordered within a couple of minutes. For the first time in days, I had the pleasure of being with myself and enjoying good snack. The place certainly has a charm that will attract me to itself again and again. Another important thing, which impressed me was that the prices of everything in the menu are absolutely affordable, but even if it would have been expensive. I would have still paid because the experience is priceless.

I would certainly like to sit in the corner and read the next time I visit!

Next time, it shall be Pasta!!!