The busses

Monday, October 17, 2016
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
The tale would be hilarious, if it hadnt been so nerve wracking!
Our 1st 12 hour overnight sleeper bus was between Jaipur and Jaisalmer .
We sure didnt know what to expect.
They claimed it was a Volvo bus.
Now, having travelled on a brand new one in Burma, I was quite excited, because it was like being in an aeroplane, reclining seats, a hostess, blankets, water,etc.
No such luck!
Got to the bus depot, and here was a behemoth of a bus.
People could sit in chairs on the lower level,and we were in a coupe upstairs.
More like a sardine can, which was only built for my length, 5ft8".
Thank goodness we had asked for airconditioning..
One can barely sit up, more like a slouch.
Getting up the ladder into our can tomb made us feel like monkeys climbing a tree!, then to curl ourselves over double ,and slide into the space.
Not for claustrophobic people.
We had a sliding window on the inside, to seal ourselves into our tomb, and off we went.
Not as bad as we expected, at least it was relatively clean.
In our 2nd overnite sleeper bus between Jaisalmer and Udaipur, things were a little different.
At least this time we had an inkling as to what to expect.
Sleeping in any mobile transport isnt easy for me,but so it goes .
I dozed off and was wondering why the road was so bumpy.
The next moment the bus had stopped, (its pitch dark outside) and there is loud rumbling noises outside, and plenty of moving lights.
Now our curiosity is piqued.
Fascinating, we couldve been in a war movie.
Not 1,2, or 3 tanks ,on flat bed trucks,roll by, but after 13, we lost count.
Hmmm, continuous sights of fighter jets, 2 hrs away, in Jaisalmer, which is 250km from their enemies, the Pakistanies, and now we are on, what looks like a non-existent road, in a desert region, and the military are out at 10pm moving lots of tanks.
So, having seen interesting movies, and read lots, I quickly write an sms or 2 ,just in case we dont pitch up in Udaipur, they somehow find our cell phones in the desert, goodness knows where, and realise how we disappeared.
Yes, I know, I have a fertile imagination!
After a while, we continue, and stop in a one horse town for a pitstop.
Ah, here we go again, more than 14 army trucks file past us, empty!
So, I ask you, where did they drop off the soldiers??
And...on we go.
These bus drivers know how to use there hooters.
Its supposed to be a functional instrument.
In their minds its used for multiple purposes, and issues out a wide variety of unheard-of-before sounds.
Its used to warn drivers ahead that there is a bus approaching.
Its used to disperse oncoming scooters, tuk tuks, taxis, cars, trucks, busses,, cows, chickens,dogs, old ladies, unsuspecting tourists, who remain somewhat disorientated for an hour or two, mainly due to the sheer volume, and unexpected tune, which doesnt cease upon one hoot, but is repeated incessantly, until the driver is pleased with the scattering of objects in the road.
Hooting contributes to the permanent background noise and hum in India!


Photos & Videos

Comments

Debbi
2016-11-07

Very interesting!! Won't catch me on that bus. Sounds mad but fun. Keep on writing..., maybe even a book!! Lots of love Debbie B

Jane
2016-11-07

Oh gosh.. what adventures.. I am happy to say I have been there and done it.. not something I would rush back to doing!! But it's worth it all for the experience!!

Maria
2016-11-07

wow Eliese
quite adventurous.
Hope you are taking lots of great photos!!1

Phyl Jones
2016-11-08

OMG This is great !!!
My very own adventure / thriller author.
Look forward to every chapter.
LOL

Bee Levin
2016-11-08

Enjoying your blog... Keep the stories coming xx

eliesethogersen
2016-11-08

Thanx so much. sure is interesting here.
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, wrote:

eliesethogersen
2016-11-08

Yes, India stands for _Im never doing it again
On Monday, November 7, 2016, wrote:

eliesethogersen
2016-11-08

Lol Phyl. How are you? I miss our laughs!!!!
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, wrote:

Brenda Lobel
2016-11-10

Elise you are certainly having an adventure. I enjoy your blogs and your photos. You could put it all in a book

2025-02-17

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