Out of the Comfort Zone

So I am back in Mumbai for the winter break and I had to go out today afternoon to my cousin’s place for lunch. Armed with The Firm in hand I walked out and waited for the bus to arrive. The sight on the AC bus pleased me. Since the AC bus is usually less crowded, I was hoping to read comfortably. But the sight of the bus was the only pleasing thing of the entire journey. As I entered into the bus, it looked shabby, seems like the bus wasn’t cleaned for some time now, the seats were dusty too. I picked up a corner seat at the back of the bus and settled in to read. With the work on the roads of Mumbai eternally going on the ride was bumpy which meant I barely managed to read properly. To top it off, the AC wasn’t powerful enough. It just wouldn’t cool the bus. I was constantly feeling warm. At one point I had to switch on the overhead fan ! Just a side – note: the fare seems to be reduced – it cost me Rs. 8 less as compared to the last journey I made six months ago on the same bus and the same route (which was more comfortable too). I hope that this was a one off case i.e. a bad bus coming my way and all other AC’s buses are in good shape. And if fare reduction is the reason for all this, I don’t mind paying Rs. 8 more for better services, after all the AC buses are supposed to be some of the best buses in Mumbai.