We had to travel to Hyderabad from Chandigarh. We reserved our railway tickets on the Shatabdi Express three months in advance, anticipating a smooth and comfortable journey. However, it turned out to be a roller coaster ride and a memorable adventure.
From our society, we booked a seven-seater uber cab – a spacious one – with ample legroom and enough space for all five family members: three teenagers and two adults. Each of us had a 15 kg suitcase, a handbag, and one extra, hefty food bag, bursting at the seams. If it had been a person, it would have been pitifully complaining.
We reached the railway station an hour early and waited in the bustling waiting hall. When the train arrived, we all hopped on. The train was scheduled to reach Delhi at 3:25 pm but was over an hour late, arriving at 4:30 pm. After that, we headed to the metro station.
All our luggage – five 15 kg suitcases, five 7 kg bags, two purses, and the heavy food bag – had to be scanned. There was a lot of hustle and bustle, with separate lines for males and females. We bought tickets to Aerocity, Delhi, for Rs. 50 each. Later, we learned we needed to take a shuttle for Rs. 40 each. We purchased the shuttle tickets and trudged to the bus stop with our heavy luggage.
On 28th May, the temperature in Delhi soared to a scorching 52.6 degrees Celsius. The situation was pathetic: only one shuttle bus was available, making round trips to the airport. We stood in the sweltering heat for about half an hour without any shade. Taxi drivers offered to take us for Rs. 100 per head, suggesting we return the bus tickets. It seemed like collusion between the cab drivers and the ticket seller, as it was a government-run shuttle service. Two other buses stood roadside, deemed out of order by the caretaker, leaving just one functioning bus. He suggested we take a taxi if we were in a hurry.
Just as we were losing hope, a bus finally arrived, bringing a sigh of relief. We boarded and reached the airport in 25 minutes. The ride was bumpy, and the driver initially struggled to start the bus.
After rushing through the security check, we finally relaxed upon boarding the plane. Upon reaching our destination, Hyderabad, we collected our luggage, exited the airport at 11:30 pm, booked an Uber, and headed home.
Thus, our long journey, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 1 am, was thrilling, memorable, and filled with incidents that added to our experience.
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