Mornings

My days on a general basis begin at a pretty unearthly hour. And now that we're heading towards winter with shorter days and longer nights, I wake up to dark mornings and they feel terrible. For I'm the one who would love to spend some extra time in bed, toes cuddled in my quilt ready to finish the dream that was playing on my mind. If only... But then, when did we ever get everything we wanted? 


So to make up for the dreary cold and oh-so blah mornings, my journey to college somewhat compensates for everything else. I guess it's always the start that taxes me but as the morning progresses, I prefer it to any other part of the day - travel-wise at least. And here are some reasons why...


It's a brand new start, and a sari clad me loves a no-crowd no-traffic road while I head to the bus stop.
The buses are superbly empty and it's all peaceful and quiet (no horns or screeching brakes or abuses hurled anywhere).
There's a sense of calm, a sense of peace and of course, there's a sense of ease minus a rush. There's no jostling, pushing or anything of that sort. 
The sun is just the right amount of warmth, there's a cool breeze afloat the entire bus and everything feels fresh.
Traffic signals don't work till about 8am so there's no concept of long signals or motorists going crazy sitting on their horns at that hour.
There's no 'office rush'.
The platforms are not too crowded, buses come in clean and washed most often, drivers go grab a newspaper to keep them company while conductors get accounts and tickets checked.
There are students ALL over the place and there's something lovely about having students (in uniform and otherwise) around - running towards their bus while buses ease out of their respective platforms, talking, laughing, listening to music, reading novels, worrying about assignments not done, breathing a sigh of relief over assignments done, dreading upcoming tests/exams... it's a very very invigorating feeling to be around students.
The highlight of my morning is boarding my bus to college, the 'Hanumanji bus' as I call it. It's been my (and many others') saviour for the number of years they've studied at college. Aboard the bus, I'm all settled, music on and I know that I'm going to be in college well in time, which is a very very comforting feeling :)


And as my bus leaves the bus stand, the best part of my morning ensues. As we turn towards MG road, and stop at the signal, my bus is surrounded by students galore. Students of all ages and sizes. Baby students huddled in autos with their colourful bags hanging from the auto mirrors; BMTC buses filled with students from start to finish - eating, talking, sleeping, jumping, looking outside, playing, reading, singing or just being - taking students to their respective schools; children cuddled with their mother at the back of a car; children rehearsing lessons with their parents; big, small, long, sleek, box-ey yellow school buses saying 'Children Aboard' driving past; matador vans in all colours taking children to school, carpools, siblings fighting, girls adjusting their clips and hair; boys their belts and ties; mums instructing their kids - ALL converge at this signal for those few seconds. 


And as the signal turns green, we all diverge at a gathering speed, going our own way for the day. Till we meet again, tomorrow and every other day, at this signal, doing what we do. And so it goes. Every morning. Children have a way of making everything better.


I couldn't ask for a more exhilarating start to my mornings. :)