English Translation of the post title: Bhaiya, Eiffel Tower Chalenge? (Hey, what will you charge for a ride to Eiffel Tower?) 

It was a soft evening: of pleasant air, crimson sky and a warm, setting Sun. I was wearing my favorite red colored pants, floral top and a hat. I had my new shades on that I picked from Mac V last week. They made me look so stylish. To add on to that style quotient, I had a map in my hands and I was trying to figure out something.

I was never good at Geography. In fact, Geography is a fancy term for me. I even s**k at directions. I am 29 and I travel a lot. And even then, I ask the cab driver to take a ‘right’ when I mean ‘left’. While I can solve the most complex questions on Trigonometry, I can’t find my way out of a local market to main road. My biggest nightmare is to wake up one day and find myself in a maze. 😦

Imagine a person like me with maps in a foreign land. Oh yes, I was not in India. I was in a foreign country with neat and clean roads. The air smelt of cheese. And I was busy figuring out the maps when I heard the most melodious words ever: “Bon jour” like Meryl Streep would say in Julie and Julia. Yes, I was in France and I was trying to figure out the best route to ‘Eiffel Tower’.

I crossed the road and reached an auto stand like the ones we have around ISBT, Delhi. I have been planning to study French for quite some time, but haven’t been able to move past Excusez-moi. 😀 

To my surprise, I was speaking fluent French with the auto driver and you know what we were doing?! Haggling over the price for a ride to Eiffel Tower.

At the end of 10 mins. of haggling, arguing and reasoning out, we settled for a price that was mutually acceptable. He agreed to pick me up the next morning.

Next morning: 

I woke up at 5 am. I was gonna go to Eiffel Tower that day. My childhood dream was gonna come true. I was excited.

The auto was supposed to pick me at 6 am. He didn’t come even by 8 am. I kept calling him and finally he came to pick me at 10 am. I was furious and demanded an explanation.

After much fight, he proposed a new offer: Eiffel tower and Mount Rushmore, together, the same day for extra 500 Euros.

Mount Rushmore. Yes! 🙂 I immediately agreed and sat in his auto. As the auto went speeding, I realised that it can’t all be true.

Eiffel Tower and Mount Rushmore in a single day in an auto?! It was some kind of joke. And indeed it was! Just about then, my alarm clock went ringing and I woke up. It was 5 am.

Happy April 1st everyone!