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After breakfast I stopped at the travel desk where I was introduced to my driver, Mohmmed. He was a neatly dressed man of medium build in his early forties.
India 2002 - Part Four: Bujapur, Gulbarga & Bidar
Dougburnett2003-11-24 12:16:16
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a patient and helpful driver. I had really enjoyed his company. I wished him well and spent the next few hours writing in my journal while I waited for my flight back to Calcutta.
In Calcutta I headed directly to the prepaid taxi stand, paid 170 Rupees ($3.60) and got a computerized receipt with the name of my hotel printed on it - the Fairlawn. My name and the price I had paid were also printed on the receipt. Outside there were various taxi touts trying to lead me to their taxis, but I found the correct line where I was assigned a taxi by a uniformed attendant.
Even though the name of the hotel was printed on the receipt, the driver didn't seem to know where I wanted to go. I kept saying, "Sudder Street - it's on Sudder Street." He was a very aggressive driver and would speed up to cut people off for no apparent reason other than spite. I didn't like him and was on my guard.
In town he pulled up to some hotel - not the right one - and wanted me to get out. I refused and kept saying the same thing over and over, "The Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder Street." He said something about me having to pay more money, but I just kept repeating my little mantra: "The Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder Street."
Finally, he took off again and soon we arrived at Sudder Street where I pointed out the hotel. When he pulled over, I grabbed my bag and got out quickly. Standing on the sidewalk he kept yelling that he wanted more. I said, "No way bud, I paid at the airport. That's it." Behind me I heard one of the many taxi drivers that hang out in front of the Fairlawn say, "That's right." As I walked away, I could hear him shouting - probably swearing at me.
I checked into the hotel and went to bed. It had been a long day and I had come a long distance. I was tired.
Copyright Doug Burnett
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http://www.traveldoug.com
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