When the train (Satabdi Express) was reaching Chennai, the view of the city from our AC compartment was almost like Kolkata. In fact some of our friends were shouting "Dhakuria Bridge" , "Howrah" etc when very similar structures were noticed. However, when I came offboard from our comfortable AC capsule, the noise, the polluted air, the humidity ll struck me at once!
The company had arranged for a bus for more than 40 employees. But I think they forgot we were not individuals but accompanied by our luggages. And by luggages I mean the whole "family stores" that was accumulated in Mysore over a period of over 6 months. I was fortunate enough to retain more or less the same amount (a backpack, a huge suitcase & a sidebag) that I carried from kolkata. But people, especially girls brought as much as 9 huge bags for a single individual ! God bless them !
It was clearly deduced that in the bus there will be room for either us or our luggages. Both could not be carried at the same time ! So we started stashing the bags, and soon enough 3/4th of the bus got filled up ! However, in the meanwhile a Tamil guy called up the Infosys person responsible for this miscalculation, who ofcourse denied to accept the fault in his part and blamed on miscommunication. However, after an hour of waiting at the station, a similar bus came and we were on our way to Mahindra City, cutting through the heart of Chennai.
Chennai was just like any other metro city. Lots of buildings, people, banks, stores, road-side restaurants, narrow/wide streets. Even those Bengali friends in between started shouting "Dalhousie" when a very similar structure was seen. However there was no "Howrah Bridge" or "Hoogly Bridge" or even "Victoria" here !
It took almost 2 hours to reach Mahindra City. We were travelling in a National Highway very similar to the EM Bypass. There was huge green fields on both sides and scarcely populated areas. Even the "Dhapa" smell of perceived in some places in the journey. However, Mahindra City was completely different from the other parts. It is a well maintained sector, adorned by huge dazzling buildings, modern infrastructure and an international look. But after almost 7 hours of journey we were too tired to look around when we reached. All our bags were checked in the entrance of our hostels (Employee Care Centre). And atlast we got into our rooms, a double bed room (for the first time). However as usual, everything was fantastic in the hostels with everything you need, from instant tea/coffee to scribble-pads. I took a warm shower and turned on the AC and jumped on the cozy soft bed (that sinks 6 inches when you get into it) and went to sleep for the first time in Chennai.
The next morning was at 9am. Initially we went to take a look around the campus. But immediately we realised it was no more Mysore and our skin started responding adversely showing rep burning patches. So we left the plan for evening, had some breakfast and started looking for a flat. It is a long story in itself. We started to know Chennai, its cultural differences.
Coming Up :
1. Chennai in the first few days : The Cultural Adversity
2. The Horrible House Search : The Broker Theory
3. The Campus : Lighter & Darker Side
But you have to respond suitably to let me know that you're really reading everything, and then only I'll write more!
Love,
Vivek
