Travel hangover!!

Do you know what I’m talking about? I don’t even know if such a term exists, but I think this is what I’ve been facing since morning. Weekend trip to Hyderabad from Bangalore has made me sleep deprived for almost 3 days in a row now. People say it is just Hyderabad- Bangalore, overnight journey and that you can sleep through it. But then, it is otherwise, at least sometimes.
It all started on Friday evening, rushing from office to make it to the bus stand just in time, only to find myself lost amongst numerous buses. I was running from one end to the other looking for my 20:43 bus. There was 20:25 and 21:04 bus, but not mine. After frantically searching I finally got onto my bus, made all the calls and messages about safely boarding the bus and then I nestled on my seat making myself comfortable. After the tiring day and luggage tugging, I was ready to fall asleep at the drop of a hat in spite of the not-so-good comfort of a bus ride. But then, I was not very lucky as the girl seated next to me seemed to be on a marathon-talking competition. I wanted to politely point out to her that she was on the higher end of permissible decibel level of sound. But then the alien language was explicit enough to reveal her mixed feelings, the excitement of getting a visa and flying to a new place and the pain of parting from the loved ones’. So I chose to toss around for a while until I caught some sleep.
I woke up to the sun rise (if I had fallen asleep) which looked more like an hour glass to me with the sand sliding down faster than ever. One more sun rise in Hyderabad and the next in Bangalore again. Sigh! I’m reminded of the lines, “…..And miles to go before I sleep” (courtesy “Stopping by woods on a snowy evening” – Robert Frost). As the clock ticks away, I decide that sleep can wait, so am on my heels doing all the errands. I was looking forward for the eventful evening as it was my school’s annual day, the primary reason for my trip. It was a wonderful evening to see my teachers’ proud of what I am today and of course to catch up with old friends. Late in the night, I decided to go for a movie with my parents the next day. Though it meant incomplete sleep I chose the first show so that I’ll get done with it and my other plans will still remain undisturbed.
I was glad I had watched the movie with my parents in the big screens of IMAX, 3D. My parents too thoroughly enjoyed themselves. From there, it was the meet up with college friends followed by some souvenirs, Karachi bakery biscuits.
Later in the evening it was back-to-square-one, packing and rushing for the bus (it is genetic I suppose, making it in the last minute) .Boarding the bus again and thinking of the long journey ahead and the day ahead made me sleepy and tired. But insomnia continued to haunt me, in a different version this time. My blanket! I couldn’t believe that it was not enough for a person of a small stature like me too. It seemed more like a table cloth. When I couldn’t get a replacement, I had to dangle my feet out all through the night getting them cold. I was hoping not to fall sick and tried to catch some sleep with the speakers just above my head thumping some loud movie dialogues.
Monday morning blues, I say to myself and reach office hoping the day to pass. With the caffeine kicking and keeping me alive I wait for the sun set so that I can reach home and slip into a deep slumber. The trip has left me happy and contented though it meant going that extra mile.