Remember Those Roads?

Remember when road trips were an ‘event’?

Even that short distance of 140 kms was such a big deal. Cars had to be checked by the mechanic. Food had to be packed for ‘something to munch on’ and water bottles filled. Extra clothes were packed for the kids and towels for the adults. Adults also secreted extra packs of smokes… just in case.

We would start early to beat the traffic and I would always wonder how there would be less traffic on the roads if everyone had the same idea. But apparently everyone did not have the same idea and roads were empty. Speeding was still not possible… cars were slightly slower and the roads were rougher.

We cruised peacefully to songs on the stereo… FM was still a myth and nobody in their right mind in a carful of people listened to the other radio anyway.

There were certain stops on the road that always created some excitement… the huge pepsi bottle that was perhaps a chimney, the water tank that was shaped like a car on top of a house, a lake full of lotuses, an oddly shaped hill… a car abandoned on the highway… they were pointed out with more glee by the adults than the kids…

The trip also came with ONE break. The restaurant on the highway was always full, being the only one. Bus loads of travelers, cars and a few random bikes were all parked haphazardly. The restaurant was always crowded. Waiters were dressed in shirts that were white about 10 years old and had an old towel over their shoulder to compliment it. They were always impatient and rude… customer service wasn’t a term that existed then.

But food was ordered and kids were made to go to the loo, whether they wanted to or not. “We won’t stop again till we reach there,” was the refrain.

Remember that?

It takes two hours to get to wherever now. Highways have CCD (Cafe Coffee Day) for stale coffee and McD (McDonalds) for greasy burgers. And another handful of options. They are open 24 hours and have more loos… though not any cleaner. Snazzy boards light up the highway… all in red and funky lettering. Cars glide by smoother and quieter.

The lakes are emptier and have no lotuses. I rarely see old men in white dhotis crossing the road and cows scared at the noise of a car.

I’m not quite sure if I miss those. They had a charm of their own… and we’ve grown accustomed to speed.

But I do wonder… why on earth isn’t there a 24-hour puncture shop anywhere on the entire highway yet?!

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