12/26 Push on this Button

Siddarth called this morning with an invite to lunch so I headed off to meet them at BarbQ - a wonderful Indian and Chinese Restaurant.  As we said goodbye, they all look extremely worried as I take down the bus details.  Considering my traveling skills over the last few days I don't blame them;).   Walking to the Internet cafe, I was reminded of the passage in Culture Shock advising to walk on the streets NOT the sidewalks.  Even though you have to dodge cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, buses, bicycles, etc... it is a whole lot safer than what you have to dodge from above and below on the sidewalk;)  I saw some interesting graffitti - a "Push on this button" (button = a hammer and cycle)".   West Bengal is run by the Communist Party.  Nearby there was also a group of men sitting around the entrance of a small house all wearing pink shirts.  I haven't yet found out if this was a particular caste or Communist Party members.  As we drove out of the city I saw another "Push on this button" tag except this time the symbol was a flower.  After I checked out of my hotel, I heard the drumming I had heard a few nights earlier.  Turns out it is a roving band of drummer boys.  They immediately eye the tourist and for a moment I'm sucked in surrounded by eight boys all with different kinds of drums.  However, they evaporate once they realize there is no hope for any ruppees. I get another slightly overpriced irritated taxi cab to Babu Ghat Bus Stop and pray for the best.  Siddarth calls while we are sitting in traffic just to make sure I'm on my way.  I'm pretty shocked when we reach the right destination and even more surprised that I can find the correct bus.  It's dark by now.  There is no bus station, no legible (legible to me;))signage and dozens of buses.   Siddarth has called ahead to make my reservation and assured me that the conductor and ticket salesmen know of my arrival.  He says, "You would be surprised to know that I always know where my volunteers are".  Somehow I go directly to the correct table where a few men sit behind tea stands and food vendors.  I look at them questioningly and they nod.  I'm still amazed that I got on the right bus.  Siddarth seems to be pretty amazed too;)  I settle in anxiously waiting to see which movie they are going to play. It's Krrish with my absolute all time favorite Hrithik Roshan! So today,  I just want to say thanks for relatively scrupulous taxi drivers and the superb dancing skills and devastatingly good looks of Mr. Roshan;)