Travel day: Delhi to Roorkee

Ugh, another bad day on a bus. Getting to the ISBT in Delhi took much longer than I remembered, and I had to leave a little late so I could get my phone minutes topped up before I left (I had zero). I said goodbye to all of Jenny’s roommates, only one of whom I’ll see again (a bit sad, as I’d gotten to know them a bit living so much at Jenny’s). I got to the ISBT, and was headed confidently to the Uttaranchal section, as I’d gone to Dehradun already this way, but someone redirected me to a “deluxe” bus. I suspect this person was getting a commission for selling a private company route instead, but last time the person directed me, they indeed sent me to the correct stall. This time, not the case. The bus was bound of Haridwar, and they swore it would stop off at Roorkee for me. I paid as much as I did for the AC bus to Dehradun, but there was no AC on this “deluxe” bus. I can’t count the number of times during the journey I thought “In what way is this bus deluxe?” It was rather filthy as well, and bumpy. I at least had a nice seat-mate, and elderly gentleman, about 70 he said. But he helped me out, and told me after the rest-stop when to get up. I spent the first half of the trip asleep with my mouth gaping open, so no telling what dust and bugs ended up in my digestive tract. I haven’t gotten sick yet, so maybe it’s just yet another punching bag for my immune system.

So, by the seat of my pants, I got out at Roorkee, got my bag out from underneath the bus, and hopped quite quickly onto a cycle rickshaw, who took me straight to the Civil Engineering building, and then to the hostel, when the department turned out to be closed. I went in and crashed by about 8pm. The place was swank! Hot water, toilet paper, AC, two sheets and everything! This is probably the nicest place I’ve stayed since the Madhuban in Dehradun. It turned out to be about 350, much more than the WII hostel, but then again, it really is nicer, and I’m here a shorter time. After all, it’s really just $8 that seems so steep to me.

I dream every time I close my eyes of being home. It makes me want to sleep for the next month, till I got home. That’s so awful to say! But I’m so homesick. And exhausted by everything.