Mission Devarabeesanahalli

The Mission: To get extra 30 min of sleep in the morning
The Modus Operandi: Miss the company Bus and use the public transport instead
Day 1: The operation starts at my apartment, 7:40 in the morning. 4 min walk to the bus stop, and I see a Big 10 just pass before I can cross the road. Was it the sign of things to come? But another 5 min of wait and the next Big 10 appears adding to the smile but standing it is as there are no vacant seats. Since traffic on Banerghatta Road has been diverted the bus gets into Pandurang Nagar. That is when I realize the real folly of the speed breakers. Every time the bus goes over one, the handles (for people to hold onto) sway menacingly and I carefully duck them to avoid getting hit. Another 15min of swaying and Rs. 6 later, I am at Jayadeva my first change. Time 8:05 AM.

The Big 10 drops me in front of Shoppers Stop and my next bus is on the Ring Road which means another walk. 6 min of walk and crossing one of the many infamous BBMP open manhole/uncovered drain (covered by local News 9 under the sensational heading, WHEN WILL THE DRAINS STOP SWALLOWING BANGALOREANS ) I see another Volvo pass by before I can cross the road. Just missed again I think. Another 5 min wait and a 500C Volvo going to ITPL shows up. My in-experience with the public transport hits me on the face because I am waiting at the bus stop, but the bus stops way before. I run to get on board but my in-experience has done the damage, all the seats are taken. Luckily, I get a notional seat, which is not really a seat, but a foam padding right on top of the front wheel. You will know what I mean, if you have travelled on the Volvo yourself. But there is a lot of dead space there which I use to keep my laptop bag and my lunch box but there is no space for my feet which just have to hang around.

This is the longest leg (no pun intended) of the journey and I must say it turned out to be quite comfortable, at least no ducking required. A good 40 min and Rs. 18 later (I had a Rs. 2 marked on my ticket which I promptly collected when I saw my stop approaching), Devarabeesanahalli bus stop was in sight. I get up and go to the front gate, hoping the driver will take the cue. I misjudge the slowing traffic at the junction as the drivers attempt to stop. Next thing I see the bus takes off after crossing the junction. Verbal intervention and a chat with the driver ensures the bus stops but only after adding at least a few minutes to my walk, again showing why experience is more important than education.

But time to rejoice. I am there. Mission Accomplished 1hr 5 min later. Distance travelled 13KM.