OCT 18, 11 (4/4) .. LEAVING CALCUTTA
CAPTAIN.. YES.. I THOUGHT YOU HAD A TRAIN TO CATCH TODAY.. I DO..
(we just had this conversation.. see FWIW.. 48.3 ..)
TID-BIT.. WHY I LOVE INDIA..
TID-BIT .. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN .. you are NOT getting it !
This morning (see FWIW.. 48.1 ) I went to Sealdah Station to get a room..
On the way into the station.. I stopped to photograph a bus.. as I was doing so.. one of the Auto Rickshas just about ran me over.. I was upset and .. beginning with .. THAT PAIR OF VERY NAUGHTY WORDS.. I cussed him out.. “Why you .. ” and I let him have it..
I did NOT know that this Auto Ricksha then stopped immediately behind me..
Well I took off my gloves.. put my gloves under my arm to hold them.. got out my camera.. took my photo.. and walked away..
and I heard a voice.. “Sir.. you dropped your gloves!” and .. I turned around and ..
THAT Auto Ricksha Man.. the one who I had just cussed out in no uncertain terms.. was pointing to my gloves on the ground..
YES I HAD JUST LOST MY GLOVES..
AND YOU ASK ME CAP.. WHY DO YOU LOVE INDIA ..
continuing..
I picked my gloves up.. thanked MY Auto Ricksha man.. and I walked away.. well I took about ten paces and said to myself.. ” I ought to go back and give him a small gratuity..” and I did.. I walked back.. got out my wallet.. and gave him TEN Rupees ..
Well MY Auto Ricksha man looked me straight in the eyes and calmly.. with emphasis said .. FIFTY RUPEES !
Well I joked around with him and.. gloves firmly in hand.. proceeded into Sealdah Station..
AND YOU ASK ME CAP.. WHY DO YOU LOVE INDIA ..
When I got back to my hotel room.. I immediately stitched two .. large.. split rings onto my gloves.. one large split ring onto each glove .. so IF I REMEMBER to clip them to a carabiner on my trouser waist .. I will manage to keep them..
THIS BUSINESS OF ME LOSING BOBBSEYS RIGHT AND LEFT NEEDS TO STOP..
and so again I say.. over and out for now.. much joy and much love.. cap..