Manali Trip: Day 1

Well,

I think I can talk about the trip now.. It wasn't something I expected!! I know I shouldn't expect things to be good in the first place, but its human nature, so couldn't help expecting amazing things as it was my first outing with friends..

One thing is for sure, for a lazy being like me, a tightly scheduled trip requiring you to get up at 6, to get ready to leave by 7 in the morning and being up till 10 in the night without a little nap in the noon, is more of a torture than a break!!! Its not something we are used to!!![:D]

Reached the college by 3 but nothing much to do till 5:30 or so.. We sat there laughing, chatting and clicking photos before we leave our beloved college [Don't take the word beloved too seriously].. It was a long wait before the bus finally showed up.. It was almost 7 by then.. We were alloted a very rickety bus!! It was newly painted and the paint wasn't dry.. The AC wasn't working and the door couldn't be closed, forget locked!!

(Waiting for the bus with friends)

(At the Toll Plaza - Panipat)

(At the Toll Plaza)

(The Toll Plaza - Panipat)

So it wasn't a good bus nor the seats were comfortable.. But the last nail in the coffin was the fact that our luggage was kept in the other bus as the trunk lid was jammed!! So as we struggled without even a sheet to cover ourselves with in the chilling night, I was more worried about my specs and most important, my toothbrush and paste.. How would I live without brushing?

(Eating at a roadside Dhabba)

As I was shouting at top of my voice to be given my luggage to get my blanket but my major concern was my brush!! We were assured that we would get our luggage in the morning but the morning had something else in store for us!!

We could hardly sleep in these harsh conditions, but somehow I was able to doze for a few hours.. As I woke up amidst a feud.. The girls wanted the bus to halt for a freshen up break but the driver wasn't pushing the brakes.. Finally he succumbed!! As I was returning from the washroom, I heard people discussing that we were on the wrong route!! 40 kms in the wrong direction!! I was shocked to hear it.. What was more disheartening was the fact that the other bus didn't keep track of our bus and didn't wait for us even after they were informed that we were on the wrong route and were almost lost!!

(The road at night from the bus window)

This is how the day one ended!! In great discomfort and nothing to feel good about!!