Monday, December 2, 2013

One does not simply walk into India

Or fly in that matter. Or whatever.

But as always, it all starts in Korea. Everything starts in there, right? I mean end. Damn, I don't mean anything. I guess I am still out of order. And I don't mean culture shock, I am a bit pissed off, and all that stuff that happens when you come to new place and things goes wrong.

But I'm a bit ahead, let me start again.

In Busan all went OK: I checked in and all the stuff. And I was also emailing with agency that I booked tickets with, because I found that my flight from Delhi to Mumbai was changed so I got only 5 minutes in between. Fuck yeah, 5 minutes to take my baggage, go via immigration and stuff. Ridiculous- even checking is not working anymore 5 minutes before a flight. What idiot could do such a dumb change?

So agency said they need some confirmation and bla-bla so they recommend me to talk straight to flight operator company, that they can do it faster and without me paying extra money. I had some more questions, but they did not bother to answer me. How nice. Student Agency, in case you are wondering about the name. Flight operator was China Eastern Airlines. And then Jet Airways for domestic flight in India.

So in Shanghai I talked to China Eastern, because I had more free time that I needed. Answer: nope, sorry, I can't change. So I was like WTF. I calmed down and seen that there is manager or so, so I went ask again. Few minutes of clicking and the same answer. Somehow they can not change, I should talk to agency, which recommended me to talk to them. But at the end we managed to agree that I should be able change it once I arrive in Delhi. Because that's how it should work:  they give you hotel, and put you on next flight. (That's how it was done in US, when I missed flight because of airlines.)

I was not satisfied, because I know those people usually don't give a fuck about you, but still... I was like: come on, you should trust them, it's not first time someone missed the flight, try to be more optimistic...

So I come to Delhi, kinda happy because plane was a bit earlier so if I am fast enough I might catch the next plane. So I run like crazy to take mu luggage, being first there, but also the last one leaving.

My baggage did not arrive.

I'll be damned, but that was exactly my thought before traveling. I was afraid that they will screw something, and here it was happening. So I filled the paper and run to try to catch the plane. It was about 7.20 or so, but check-in was already closed. Of course.

I went to Jet Airways but they told me they can only sell me new ticket, that I need to talk to China Eastern about getting new flight, as they are flight operator. So I went there (actually that's what they told me  to do in Shanghai), but they were like: go Jet, we can not do it, we don't have office here, you might wanna try to call some number next day after 10am. And screaming at me that it is my mistake that I have 5 minutes to change. Damn, I am flight operator or they? I did change my flight or them?

Fuck. 

So I ended up buying new ticket, because they said like you don't have ticket so you can't stay here (the airport) and bunch of crap. I still don't get what the fuck happened and shit, but...

Yea, I just don't get it. It happened pretty fast, and most of time they were screaming at me like it's all my mistake that they fucked up my tickets, and most of all, I was freaking tired. And I just wanted it all to stop.

So I had ticket for next day, around 6 in the morning. Another night at airport.

Flight was OK, except I fall asleep after check-in. But someone woke me up. Imagine Indian accent say: "Sir, Mumbai?".

I was tired like shit. But finally something good - they woke me up and I did catch the plane. I slept like baby and arrived to Mumbai. The AIESEC guy was waiting for me at airport. So we took taxi.

Taxi.

Seems like you pay before taking ride. And you need to keep ticket because you might change the car. We did once. At the airport you don't find taxi drivers, but guys who seems to be like pimps for taxi drivers. In taxi you got paper with prices and locations. And you need to have some navigation, because you navigate taxi driver. At least in this case we did.

We went to place where I should be living. Another story.

As I mentioned I really had bad feeling about my baggage before traveling, so I asked AIESEC about my address like week before. And for some reason they really had hard times to tell me. Later I found out why: they should be someone leaving before my arrival, but it changed so they didn't know where to put. I don't wanna make troubles, so I said: ok, I can do 2 nights at couch.

But when I arrived at place it changed to till 5th. No one really knows. And the person is girl, so other girls wont want me living in girls room, right? Tonight I slept on ground, because that's more comfortable than couch.

Place I will live.

Before arrival they told me name of building is "Evershine cosmic". If you click you will see some pics and text like:

Our galaxy comprises vast spaces, and Evershine Cosmic is designed with the same objective, to create an airy space for residents to take pleasure in and give you a slice of fine living. Evershine Cosmic is installed with a garden, swimming pool, health facilities, etc, and is ideal for residents looking to own a piece of Andheri, Mumbai’s most prosperous suburb.
Looks awesome, ha?

Yeah, but that's not what it is in reality. I don't have pics yet, but I shall have some day soon. So what it is, is not finished building surrounded by slum. No pool and stuff. Indeed. Flats I've seen are kinda OK, they have kitchen and so. But I still don't know where I will be, so let's save it for later.  

I will write something then. 

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