How I Go for Safe and Happy Family Road Trips

Indian roads are infamous for ranking among the most dangerous ones in the world. Just drive on a highway or an inner street once to realize what I am talking about. However, despite every danger lurking on the Indian roads, I cannot sit at home for the fear of encountering a car crash. I just take care of a few things whenever I am traveling with family since I am highly fond of extended road trips.

The speed breakers and road bumps even on the national highways are highly unpredictable. That is why; I make sure that I wear a seat belt and make the fellow passengers do so as well. The rear seats in my car also have the seat belts, so there is no scope for the people sitting in the backseat to make any excuse. It is uncomfortable indeed, but I don’t listen to any excuses if there is anyone from outside the family who does not want to comply.

I prefer to have one more driver in the car on extended road trips who can drive if I feel tired or sick. Either ways, I can enjoy driving as well as enjoy the roadside scenery. However, there have been a couple of chances when I or someone else forgot the key in the car. It had become a messy situation to recover the key when I was in Alwar.

When we are traveling for more than 500 kilometers, the journey becomes very hectic. Therefore, keeping the car clean becomes even more important. We always carry a few rags, a few days of newspaper to clean the windows. The newspapers also help whenever it is raining, and we can spread them on the car floor to avoid making the car dirty.

I never forget to keep the papers of the car with me, especially when we have to cross the borders. Moreover, many toll booths come on the way, and it really helps to deal with the state police when I have the toll receipts with me. Some policemen might create an issue for the people coming from other states. I don’t want to hide the fact that most of them are looking for bribe on the pretext of missing papers. I don’t want to bribe them for anything that I have not done, so I prefer to be prepared.

The most important thing while traveling on the hills is fuel. I have faced an instance when I was stranded in the middle of nowhere when the fuel in my Fortuner Self Drive Rental finished too quickly than I had thought. I had to wait for a long time for help to come, and I never want to face such a situation again. Therefore, as soon as the needle crosses the halfway mark, I get the tank refueled to the top. It is always better to be on the safer side than to be sorry for any situation later. I love to make fond memories, not the unpleasant ones, so I travel with a good preparation.

How I Learned More about Tigers and Lions in Rajasthan

I had always thought that the staff members in national parks befriend the wild animals, no matter the species. I always wondered that since people in these places spend time with wild cats since their birth, they must have a special bond with them. However, having a word with my guide at the Ranthambore National Park completely changed my perspective.

I planned to visit a few places in Rajasthan with my family. We took a car on rent in Noida and left for a memorable road trip. The journey was not too long, and hence, we did not feel much tired. After visiting a few monuments and historical places, we were excited to meet the wild animals.

Our guide, Ramesh, was a nice fellow and he had many stories to tell us. Needless to say that he had spent a great deal of time in Ranthambore National Park, and had befriended many animals including tigers, hennas, and monkeys. It was fun watching him playing with his friends, who would appear so scary to us. I asked Ramesh if it was possible for him or any other person to be friends with a wild animal just like we are good with domestic animals. I wanted to know if the wild animals could be as loyal to the humans as dogs or cats.

Ramesh gave a straight answer, “No!”

I was astonished hearing him say that because he was playing with a tigress moments ago. As my kids and wife were busy watching other animals and birds, I tried to explore more from Ramesh. He said that no matter how kindly we behave with the wild cats, or vice versa, they can never be loyal to the humans. He narrated the tale of his friendship with Krishna, the male lion.

As Ramesh told, “the lion was almost etched on my life as we both played for hours together. Even when Krishna grew three years old, he did not stop being playful with me. We bonded really well together. For some time, I felt that this huge lion is my best friend in the jungle, and that he would protect me, just in case. But no, I was wrong. Being predacious is the basic instinct of any lion, and he could become aggressive even if I make slightest mistake. He could have killed me any day, and I stopped meeting him beyond a distance.”

As he said those words, my heart felt like it had stopped beating. The words coming out from Ramesh’s mouth had a seriousness attached to them, and I could tell it from his eyes that he was not lying. He also talked about a tigress, who had become his friend since her birth in the jungle. When she became a mother, he even helped her nurse her cubs. Even then, she can become aggressive whenever any guide or friend makes a mistake. One lesson that I learned from this trip to Ranthambore National Park is that whatever I see in the internet videos is not true. I need to view everything with a pinch of salt. An unforgettable road trip indeed.

How My Parents Made a Road Trip Unforgettable

Indian parents are difficult to understand sometimes, especially when they do things out of normal. Since my younger sister and I were brought up with typically conservative values, we were not habitual of the idea of parents romancing with each other. However, Mom and Dad decided to impart a valuable lesson to us on our road trip to Manali. We left for our vacation early in the morning and reached Kasol around evening after a hectic journey even though we had a car to travel.

We checked into the hotel, had dinner at a local café, and then came back to sleep. We had planned to go further to explore Kasol and then move to Tosh and other locations afterwards. I had a long list of places to explore since I wanted to write about them for my blog. I insisted on taking everyone along since I thought that this was the only way we could spend quality time with each other.

My parents had something else in their mind. They told us that they want to spend some time alone, and hence, they would be there in Tosh for two days. We were shocked to know that we will be going to the Kheerganga trek alone!

It was then that things started making sense to me. When I had asked Mom about how she will carry on the Kheerganga trek with tremendous pain in her knees, she had replied that she would do it by any means. When I had asked Dad how he would bear the cold weather and risky trails of the trek, he also had said it that he did not have a problem with it. Moreover, they had convinced me and Shalu, my sister that they were so excited about this trip.

So, we had looked for Self Drive Cars Delhi Airport and booked one Swift Dezire using a discount coupon. We drove all the way to the mountains only to discover that the parents will be staying alone in a camp in Tosh and we, the vulnerable kids, will be trekking on our own.

Even though we were annoyed with them, Shalu and I left for the Kheerganga trek. When we were on our way to our destination situation atop a mountain, we discovered that all our anger vanished in a while. We actually started enjoying our journey. Since there was no mobile signal, we could not contact our parents until we reached back to Tosh. Nevertheless, Shalu and I felt that we talked much more than we did in Delhi about our lives during our journey and in our camp on the mountaintop.

When we returned, Mom and Dad seemed blissful and they explained to us that having a solitary time is necessary for a couple. Dad said that we kids will understand the value of lonely time when we get married. We had no choice but to agree with them, but one thing is sure that we all had a great time, even though it was an unconventional road trip.

How I Embarrassed Myself on My Road Trip in Delhi

So I am just another youthful person with stupid feelings in her heart, and I cannot keep them to myself. I have lived all my life in Delhi, and I refuse to feel ashamed of the fact that I fall for cute guys. Moreover, I keep embarrassing myself at several occasions because I confess my love at first sight to everyone I like. This time, I was destined to make a fool of myself in front of Yash, the damn cute guy in my office.

I fell for him and day he entered the office last month, and the best part was that I was supposed to report to him. God had listened to me finally and I had already started planning my life with him in my mind. The names of the kids were decided, the venue of marriage was finalized, and I knew that I would have at least three paneer cuisines on my wedding!

So… he was not coming to office since last week and I was constantly in contact with him over the call. He wanted to discuss a presentation with me yesterday, and he called me to meet him over a coffee. It would be an understatement to say that I was jumping out of joy as I disconnected the call. His words were reverberating in my mind as he had said that he would rent a car without driver so that he could drop me home. A road trip or a drive date! Whatever it was, I was elated about it.

So it was 6 pm at Café Coffee Day when I went to meet him. As we discussed the presentation, my heart was pounding in my heart. Even though I knew that I should have calmed down, I could not. I finished the work somehow, and we left for the parking lot. The coffee still felt hot in my stomach, but I pacified myself as we went through the way talking about random things.

As he saw a beggar sitting on the pavement, he donated the burger that he had got packed from the café, and I was going all awe in my heart. When he returned, I told him that it was very sweet of him to do that. I was already imaging myself as his wife donating alms to the peddlers!

It was then that he dropped the nuclear bomb!

“Do not forget to praise me when you meet my girlfriend” he blurted out!

I just somehow controlled my emotions and stopped my mouth from dropping on the ground. My body was walking on the pavement, but I was numb from inside for like 30 seconds.

He dropped me home and that road trip was the worst ever drive date with anyone. For the rest of our journey, I felt so embarrassed and talked about random things just to keep communicating. And had a sigh of relief as I reached home!

Pheww!

My Experience of being an Indian in Tokyo

Since I have lived all my life in Mumbai, Hyderabad, ad Delhi, I am habitual of limited space in such metropolitans.  However, being in Tokyo last year gave me a different perspective of congested spaces altogether. I was there in the city to eat out with friends because of obvious reasons of touring new places. It was astonishing for me to notice that the tables were placed so close that I could hear everything the adjacent people talked with each other, and vice-versa. The only relief was that they did not understand my language, and I understood only a bit of Japanese.

After a few minutes, we saw a group of 7-8 people entering the restaurant; they seemed to belong to the same office. Unlike India, the colleagues in japan often hang out with each other, more out of compulsion than their wish. All of them were native Japanese people, except two guys, who did not seem to be connected quite well with the rest of the people. Still, they were trying hard to gel up with them.

As the boss of the team introduced one Indian to the rest of the group, it became evident that even the two Indians had met for the first time. They applauded to welcome the new member in their team and started talking to them. We had already placed the order for snacks and drinks. As our order arrived, their table was also covered with a lot of food and glasses of alcohol.

Even though all of them were being too formal with each other in the beginning, they gradually started easing up as they gulped down more and more alcohol. Their occasional laughter and a few words in English would nonchalantly enter our ears and we could help but notice them often because of our proximity. We tried to ignore them and let them be, and concentrate on our food and conversation.

After about an hour, we heard a sudden yelp from their table. What I saw was truly hilarious; the two Indian guys were hugging each other and the rest of the group was smiling and laughing their heart out at them. They were happy that two people from one nation had bonded really well, and that the new member will soon be comfortable in office.

It became interesting when they started calling each other bhai, meaning brother in Hindi. And things became even more interesting when I heard the Japanese people calling each other bhai!

This encounter with that group was the best thing I had witnessed in Japan. When I returned to my city, I went to a road trip with my friends when we hired Self-Drive Cars in Hyderabad. I told them the incident and they had fits of laughter imagining the Japanese people calling each other as bhai. This was the time I actually noticed how it feels like being an Indian in a foreign nation. No matter where you belong, your nationality plays a notable role in your personality. Lesson learned well!

How I Met a Bad Traveler on My Road Trip to Chennai

Meeting people online is nothing new these days. Although I don’t prefer making romantic relationships online, I still end up having a crush on someone or the other whom I meet through different forums. I have been a member of Chennai travelers’ groups since three years, and have met a few amazing people through the road trips that this group organizes. However, my last experience with meeting a guy last month turned out to be horrible.

I was on my road trip with a group in a bus to Mahabalipuram. I found myself attracted to a guy named Shreyas, who worked as a civil engineer in Bangalore. Although I did not initiate any conversation with him, I wanted to listen to him as he talked with his friends. I knew that it was quite objectionable according to the Indian standards to act romantic with a stranger, so we decided that we will meet in Chennai once the road trip was over. Did I forget to mention that he looked very handsome?

We met at a fancy fine dining restaurant, and I showed up wearing my best outfit. While we waited to take our reserved seat, we had a pleasant conversation. When the waitress asked us about the order, he ordered a cocktail for me and a glass of scotch for himself. I told him that I don’t take alcohol, but he dodged my opinion saying that it is a mild ladies’ drink. Even though I did not like what he did, I still preferred to ignore it thinking that it might ruin the meeting. Probably that is why; he assumed that I would not mind anything he ordered.

While we were scanning the menu to order the main course, he ordered mutton kebab for me as I was going through the non-veg section. I told him that I don’t like mutton, but he again gave his logic that there is no difference between chicken and mutton as both are meats. So he decided that he would order one mutton kebab and mutton biryani for us. He argued that it is no use being so picky about meat unless someone is vegetarian.

When the waitress showed up, he snatched the menu card from my hand and placed the order as he wished. I looked at her and asked, “I had seen a sign board of Self-Drive Cars in Chennai, can you book one for me?”

He was perplexed as I said that and asked me, “Why do you want to book a Car Rental right now?”

I could not resist being blunt and said, “I don’t like your company and the way you are imposing your opinions on me. You are no one to decide what I should eat or drink. Thank you for your company, but we are not meeting again.”

I picked up my bag and left the place without bothering to look at him again. Thank God I did not hear from him again.

My Experience as a Foreigner in India

I had heard a lot of nasty stories about India along with the pleasant ones that were just too many to count. I was very apprehensive about this country before I decided to visit India with my kids. My husband was too worried about three of us, but I assured him that I will keep him updated about us every day. He relaxed a bit and sent me and our two little kiddos on our excursion to India.

I found India unbelievably safe and friendly!

My friends would not believe me whenever I told them that I met friendly people in India, which is a safe country unlike the opinion of many people. They were flabbergasted when I told them that my kids were also comfortable on their own in some places.

Yes, there are several true reports of crimes like murders, rapes, mob lynching, and corruption in India. However, I had already researched a lot about traveling in India and I followed the rules I had laid for myself and my babies. And I must say, all went well for me, even too good to be true sometimes. Of course, there were some issues at some places, but I have never found a perfect place in the world. How can I expect India to be an epitome of perfection?

While I was there in India, I realized that men do not have many safety concerns in India, but women do need to worry more about being safe at all times. In addition to the timing of wandering around, I also needed to take care about the places I chose for my vacation. My friends had told me that since I was going there with my children, I would be targeted less by the crooks, which turned out to be strangely true.

When I was in Mumbai, I would hire Self-Drive Cars in Navi Mumbai to travel to places. However, whenever I had to go to smaller cities or hamlets, I made it a point to take the contact numbers of local taxi drivers who were trusted enough. Moreover, I could wear almost anything that covered at least half my body in the urban cities, but I covered myself completely with cotton clothes while I was there in small towns.

Whenever I traveled by train, I used to book the upper birth for all of us, especially at night. Moreover, I never traveled too late at any place unless I had befriended another traveler from the hostel. I had to be highly assertive at times when the locals would pursue me to buy anything or accompany them to a place. I would blatantly refuse to do anything they forced me to do.

At many places, people would come to me and ask for a group photo, but I never minded that. Indians are friendly people in general, even though I never trusted anyone blindly. All in all, I had a pleasant experience in this chaotic, yet welcoming country.