Kolkata is notorious for strikes. We have already faced few strikes right on the days when we have to take a cab to Railway station, airport etc..
Today is one of such days, when a taxi strike has almost killed me. I started fro home, getting Ada ready for her school. That itself is a tough job, since I have to give her 2 breakfasts, clean her after potty, give her bath, take her to park, do shopping for home and get myself ready - all of this before 9!! I have no choice left but to do it. I got myself ready and left the house, carrying 12 KG baby in one hand and a 5 kg basket in another (carrying all her essential stuff for the school) and my own office bag. It was scorchin hot outside.
I looked around and no taxi, then I decided to walk little farther because after the turn which is about 200 meters from home, generally taxis are parked there. I crossed the turn with all sweats and paining hand. No sight of any taxi. I decided to walk 500 meters more, because there is a possibility of finding taxis there. I reached there with great difficulty, taking two short breaks to breath and wipe my flowing sweat. My poor baby thought mama is struggling so when I made her stand cutely she hold my hand and walked little. But because of the rugged path, she fell. I could not see that again lifted her and started walking gasping for breath. It was too hot and sunny. When I reached the 500 meters destination, still there were no taxis. I was begining to get frustrated. Then I saw a shared auto which generally goes half way through, I decided to take that and offered to pay him, twice the fare, so that he will not squeeze another person in. There, one of the passengers said that there is a taxi strike. I was not crest fallen. What to do? I am half way through, but the remaining half is also not easy. I have to walk another 500 meters carrying 17 kgs worth stuff to get another auto and then walk another 300 meters to go to school!! I had to do that and I did it again walking carrying my daughter. I told her today is taxi strike and she repeated 'tasi stike'. It was cute to hear that. Finally I crossed the main road and waited for another auto. Luckily that auto was empty and I negotiated with him, if he will take me out of his way and drop at the school gate, I will pay him 5 times the fare. He agreed and took me to the school gate. There I saw no one was there! It was about 5 to 10 AM (The school does not like late comers and strict rule is re-inforced). Since it was 5 minutes to 10 and they agreed to take her in. meanwhile my poor baby did not want to go and was constantly pointing me to go out. Finally wailing and screaming and crying she went in. I just hate to see her crying when she goes to school. I wish I had another option. Now the next struggle will be to bring her back home. Now I know she does not have diapers and has to be purchased and I am sitting in my lab and venting myself through this blog....
Today is one of such days, when a taxi strike has almost killed me. I started fro home, getting Ada ready for her school. That itself is a tough job, since I have to give her 2 breakfasts, clean her after potty, give her bath, take her to park, do shopping for home and get myself ready - all of this before 9!! I have no choice left but to do it. I got myself ready and left the house, carrying 12 KG baby in one hand and a 5 kg basket in another (carrying all her essential stuff for the school) and my own office bag. It was scorchin hot outside.
I looked around and no taxi, then I decided to walk little farther because after the turn which is about 200 meters from home, generally taxis are parked there. I crossed the turn with all sweats and paining hand. No sight of any taxi. I decided to walk 500 meters more, because there is a possibility of finding taxis there. I reached there with great difficulty, taking two short breaks to breath and wipe my flowing sweat. My poor baby thought mama is struggling so when I made her stand cutely she hold my hand and walked little. But because of the rugged path, she fell. I could not see that again lifted her and started walking gasping for breath. It was too hot and sunny. When I reached the 500 meters destination, still there were no taxis. I was begining to get frustrated. Then I saw a shared auto which generally goes half way through, I decided to take that and offered to pay him, twice the fare, so that he will not squeeze another person in. There, one of the passengers said that there is a taxi strike. I was not crest fallen. What to do? I am half way through, but the remaining half is also not easy. I have to walk another 500 meters carrying 17 kgs worth stuff to get another auto and then walk another 300 meters to go to school!! I had to do that and I did it again walking carrying my daughter. I told her today is taxi strike and she repeated 'tasi stike'. It was cute to hear that. Finally I crossed the main road and waited for another auto. Luckily that auto was empty and I negotiated with him, if he will take me out of his way and drop at the school gate, I will pay him 5 times the fare. He agreed and took me to the school gate. There I saw no one was there! It was about 5 to 10 AM (The school does not like late comers and strict rule is re-inforced). Since it was 5 minutes to 10 and they agreed to take her in. meanwhile my poor baby did not want to go and was constantly pointing me to go out. Finally wailing and screaming and crying she went in. I just hate to see her crying when she goes to school. I wish I had another option. Now the next struggle will be to bring her back home. Now I know she does not have diapers and has to be purchased and I am sitting in my lab and venting myself through this blog....
