Yesterday I decided to live it up for a day.
My overnight bus had only the finest linen and fresh fluffy pillows.
The air conditioning was so cold I needed a blanket. I had a double
sleeper to myself and the bus slowed down overnight so everyone could
sleep. The plush red privacy curtains were positively royal. The bus
even stopped every time I needed to go pee so I could go in the bushes
by the side of the road.
For dinner I had six impeccably dressed waiters buzzing around me
constantly refilling the tiny dishes on my big plate. Even before I
could even open my mouth to ask everything was refilled by servers
For all this I had to spend big. Twelve dollars for the bus and three
for dinner.
To top it off in public I am treated like a celebrity. I shake hands
with at least 20 people a day who stop me in the street. I pose for
photos with others every twenty minutes. When I sit down at a bus
station I am surrounded by people who crowd around just to stare at
me.The courageous few start conversations that rarely get past "What
country?" due to lack of English. People slyly taking candid shots of
me while I am not looking. All this gets old quick. I know now how
celebrities feel. Anything for a little anonymity. Even in the
quietest place I am harassed. Such is the hazard of traveling where
few go in low season.
Now in Mumbai where foreigners are common enough that they don't cause
a second glance.
Tyson
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