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| Bhai Bhai |
I was all set to catch my connecting train from Patna to NJP, but the scary- North East express train had new adventure waiting for me. Its a typical UP, Bihari train, its sleeper is like general coach with people falling here and there. I was welcomed by my friends in a confusing situation, they were happy to receive me on one and had sad situations of berth and Conference on the other. Our crew also had one less berth (thanks to Bhampi), somehow we managed to sleep for 2-3 hours. Since our train was running late, so it was difficult for us to clear border on time and in that case, we would reach the conference one day late. So we had a lot in our mind, one less berth, tension on loosing Conf in a heavy train with no water and charging points. All were tensed, but I was enjoying it, as to me Journey was important and not the destination.
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| As Always, Style Me |
From morning we started inquiring about the time to reach New Jalpaiguri. Whenever we asked anyone they used to say, its gonna take Dhai Ghante (2 and half hours) which almost took 5 hours to complete. When we completed the so called dhai ghante and reached NJP, we moved from there as soon as we can so that we may reach venue in time. Here comes the role of Military girl, as we were coming out of station, she caught 2 military personnel and started making Military arrangements for us to reach Jaigaon (Border station), she talked in such a strict way, as if she was their commanding Officer and ordering them to book a cab as soon as they can. We were again on the move. We still had a chance to make up to border and complete immigration formalities on time as their was an official letter sent for 6 of us by our mentor Hashi mam. On reaching Jaigaon we divided our team and started searching for forms and formalities to be completed.
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| Close UP |
NOTE: Immigration forms are available on the side of the border gate (a gate with dragons) in a book
shop, you have to fill the form, staple your photo (don’t stick), attach a photocopy of Govt. ID proof
(Voter ID, Passport will work) and enter in Phuntsholing (border city on Bhutan’s side), go to
immigration office, they will take down details and your photo. They will verify details from original
cards and provide you the paper permit. Office closes at 4:30 P.M.
As there was an official request placed for us, officials allowed us to complete formalities at 4:30 also.
Again we divided our team, one team was looking for a cab from Phuntholing to Paro, another was getting money exchanged, and third was looking at the luggage. Although exchange is almost equal and not required, still I insists to use the local money wherever you are, it helps in markets and public services. We had our dinner in pure veg restaurant as we didn't had anything from a day, but that made us a little bit late to start and reach Paro in time.
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| Gore Chehre pe kaala chashma |
When we started the journey, Anna was sitting at front seat, but he was feeling sleepy so driver made him go back and obviously I had to take care of the front seat. Although, I also didn't slept much in last 2 days, but I was the only one. In addition to all of these, our driver wasn't experienced to drive in night, so he was also feeling sleepy after some time.
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| Kya Kehne |
It was a really scary situation, all in mood of sleep, we were driving in mountainous region, one side mountain, other side valley, and to spice all this, road was completely covered with clouds. We didn't had visibility of even 10 meters. Frankly speaking, I was scared to death at one point. Driver was able to cover the foggy track without feeling sleepy but as the night was moving on, he was feeling more and more sleepy, I kept on asking him some Qs about Bhutan, so that he doesn't feel sleepy. There was a time, when I was hell tired and exhausted of Qs, so I started asking him things that I already knew. Even I told him to stop at some place and take rest if he wishes to, else let me drive. That was a tough situation.
In all such adverse situations, we reached Paro.
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