Hows the Josh? Shang-High Sir!
02 April 2020
I prefer to Listen
It all began with a dream — literally! I worked with a colleague in events two years ago and there had been no communication ever since. A few months ago, I randomly dreamt of him — it was so surreal — event preparations were on and we were having an animated discussion. I meant to mention his unexpected sighting in my subconscious world but daily chores took over and it slipped my mind. Next day, I got a text from him “Hi, Available for an event in Shanghai next week?” I froze! What a coincidence! I did share my strange dream and my availability with him. 3 passport size photos, 2 connecting flights and 1 Chinese visa later, I arrived in Shanghai. The immigration queue was long but the landing card kept me amused — Aliens shall not be employed in China. Too bad E.T.; I was looking forward to you bringing me some hot momos.
Robots will have to do, it seems! I freshened up and entered the banquet hall to meet the client when a robot offered me a flower — It was love at first sight — so magical…ahem mechanical! I had my Miu Miu glasses perched on my head when I sat down to script for the show. The team asked me to do a sound check. I left my laptop, bag and glasses on the table (assuming it to be my work station for the next couple of hours) and hurried on to the stage. The sound check took longer than expected and I was told to get ready asap. I grabbed everything in a rush and got back to the room. Laptop - check. Phone - check. Bag - check. Glasses - Gone! I was confident I’ll find them in the banquet. Negative. Lost and found had no new listing. I was gutted as I loved that pair and it was an expensive buy. Definitely not a nice feeling before a show, which the cliché suggests ‘must go on’. In response to my Bollywood inspired energy gauging question : Hows the Josh? Everyone expectedly replied High Sir!; clearly feeling chuffed that they were so ‘with it’. I had to burst their bubble. “Incorrect answer people. Let’s try that again shall we — Hows the Josh?”
Blank faces. Here comes the Supa twist : “SHANGHAI Sir!” Giggles galore! The night progressed well but there was no time to rest. We had a new city to explore. Although under slept and jet lagged;I had big plans for next day. I had another show in the evening so thought it best to sightsee in the morning. I set my alarm for 8am. Forget city’s sights; I couldn’t even make it to delicious bites! The luxurious buffet spread was just a few floors under and I snoozed through the timings. I got ready in a dash but couldn’t figure any last-minute half day tours or tickets to famous attractions online. Ah what a bummer! Might as well give my gown for ironing. “Hello, could you send someone for pressing.”
“Pricing for what miss?”
“No, not pricing, pressing..Ironing?”
“You are Ning?”
“No, I’m not Ning. I’m Bedi. Press Dress?”
“Ah! Whats wrong, press not working in room? ”
“No No, I don’t want to press, you press — steam iron?” The phone had exchanged hands by then.
“Miss, you want steam bun?” There was no point fighting this language barrier and the sound of something authentic in the tum sounded yum. “Yes pls, one steamed bun and someone for laundry? Thank you!”
After a munch, I decided to venture out. There is only so much you can take of a hotel room. There wasn’t enough time to do touristy things so I decided to do the woman thing — shopping! I was keen to see the Jade Buddha temple and booked a tour online for next day. The site suggested ‘appropriate clothing’ — preferably full sleeves and trousers. I had neither. Thankfully, there was a mall attached to the hotel so the next hour was spent picking clothes suited to a Bodhisattva visitor. I found a black pair of posh-ish sweat pants and a matching top in hues of pink, white & black. The look was comfortable befitting the flight fashion too for later. A leopard print T shirt was peeping from the rail behind. A leo woman never says no to leopard print. To the till we go!
I was back in time for another round of discussions. “Oh the show starts early today. So be back here all ready in half hour.” Said someone nonchalantly from the team. Panic mode on! Getting ready this quick always puts pressure; you don’t want to compromise the look and yet have to be backstage on time. I legged it back to the room and put on the kettle for an espresso shot to fire me up. Ten mins for make up, ten for hair, five for dressing up, 5 for walking down — I can do this! After a quick paint job on the face, I clipped on my already tonged extensions and pinned my hair to one side; a fancy hair band being the final touch. I sprayed it all and gave it my final tick. Slick! On time so far. I slipped into my gown for the last part. Uh Oh! I cant zip it up! Must be the steamed buns! Holding my ‘buns’ tight, I called for female assistance but disconnected. Ahem, we know how great the previous conversation went. Plan B: I wrapped a stole around and went backstage where some Chinese dancers were practising their welcome song. When all words fail, play charades! My gestures, their efforts! Suck it in Supa! Try Try again, third time lucky! Phew! Now thats what I call team work! I was on stage before I knew it. The show got over ahead of schedule and that got me stepping out for a ‘taste’ of Shanghai. I booked an Uber but language barrier meant the hotel staff had to explain my wish to visit the Oriental Tower at the Bund — the perfect sightseeing stop by the waterfront with eateries around. Screeetch! The driver halted and turned around to settle the payment. The view from my passenger window was ‘unhappening’ to say the least. This clearly couldn’t be the ‘must-see’ of Shanghai! I paid and got off as no communication could have happened anyway. There were a bunch of security guards around but Alas! They couldn’t speak English either. “Oriental Tower?” I tried. He nodded in agreement and pointed to a barricade. On the other side was some kinda steel pillar. I must have looked confused as he pointed again…this time to the sky. OMG. I was at the foot of the 1535 ft high Oriental Pearl TV Tower. It was the tallest structure in China till 2007, when it was surpassed by Shanghai World Financial Centre. So, if this is the tower, where is the rest of the stuff that you see alongside it on postcards and souvenir magnets? Forget monuments, there were no restaurants or people in sight. So much for exploration! I spotted a bus stop and waited there a while. A bus finally came, the driver stepped down to have a quick fag. My conversation efforts weren’t welcomed. Now what? Stranded! Abandoned! (Even if fashionably so) Another 15 minutes went by when 3 young locals passed me by. Their Chinese chatter didn’t leave me with much hope but trying was the only choice I had.
“Excuse me!” I interrupted hesitantly.
“Yes!” A smiling face turned to me.
“Do you speak English?” My eyes were wide with hope.
“Yes!” The smiling face smiled even more, as if to match my pleasantly surprised eyes.
“Oh pls help, I seem to be lost!” I explained what happened and in turn, she explained what actually happened. Technically, the driver dropped me at the right spot. Touristically, he could not have been more wrong! I found out the problem much later : The beauty of the Bund lies in observing the skyline from ACROSS the river, Oriental Tower being one of the landmarks. But the driver seemed to have taken me to the other side 40 mins away from where I wanted to be.
“Ah! Miscommunication! What do you suggest I do now?” I enquired with absolutely no enthusiasm.
“Well, to start with, you could come with us. My name is Janet and this is my friend Nino. And this is her cousin. We are all going to a famous Japanese restaurant to eat. Just awaiting our taxi. If you wish, you could join us for a meal or we could drop you somewhere close by after?” Janet offered politely.
I couldn’t believe my ears. I know God sends help to the needy but this was my dream help; holding not only a menu card but english translation alongside! My heart was jumping with joy as were my tastebuds. I took the offer and joined the trio to have a scrumptious bite. They were going there for the first time too to try it with their out of town, extremely shy cousin.
“Lets go left, no right! Hang on, google maps says left but are we in the right direction. No, the arrow turned again!” There was a lotta bi-lingual chatter between friends to figure out where this place was. Now THIS I didn’t mind. Getting lost with a group was actually fun, and something told me I was in safe hands. Finally, we found the little place in a cove that surprisingly was mega busy. Now lay problem no.2 : Finding vegetarian food in the experimental east.
“Do you eat Tofu?” Asked Janet. I almost fell off the chair when she revealed she was a vegetarian too. SORTED! My heart by now was doing somersaults! As I embraced this experience of new found friends, a lip smacking cuisine, interesting traditions (only serving hot water with meals) I thanked the almighty for this unplanned night. As if their generosity needed any more proof, they dropped me back to my hotel safely— where a sound sleep beckoned.
I could only manage a buttered roll from the buffet when the tour operator hastily found me — not the most smiling faces and all for rules! “We must rush to pick other people!” Hmm, at least I ate well last night! First stop : The Shanghai Museum — a modern hub of ancient relics : calligraphy on silk, ceramic collection, historic furniture, coins and notes from the 18th/19th century…there was so much to take in as each artefact had its own story to tell. Next stop : Jade Buddha Temple. I was particularly excited about this one as I had recently come across some neighbours practicing Buddhism in our building. Not a religion, but a faith to live by. My inquisitive self had attended a few chanting sessions and the idea of inviting Buddha’s life to be your own was quite fascinating.
Needless to say I was excited to visit this peaceful attraction amidst the bustling streets of Shanghai that houses 3 intricate Buddha statues. The architecture, the monks in sight, the 7000 sutras that line the walls —it’s all a dreamy experience of the East and a must visit.
I got so engrossed that I completely lost track of time. I must head to the airport soon if I am to make my return flight. Thankfully, I had packed my bags before I left. I was starving at this point. Once I was all checked in and immigration cleared; I went for a quick noodle soup that I devoured in ten minutes, obviously burning my tongue a couple of times during rapid gulps. I rushed to the boarding gate only to learn that the flight was delayed. I had a chat with the airline staff and was told it was 30 mins delayed. I had misplaced my kohl pencil at the show so thought of making use of time at the duty free Mac counter. 20 minutes later holding my new purchase, I returned to the gate. FLIGHT CLOSED read the screen. Not a passenger in sight. I was horrified. I went to the same staff member who guided me earlier to get some clarity. He point blank refused that he told me about the flight delay! I felt like I was a part of a prank as this just couldn’t be! “I was here on time, you told me it’s delayed…check your CCTV to witness our conversation! I was only next door! No announcement was made and now you say I am too late? This can’t be real!” I could hear my own voice rising and trembling in bits in sheer disbelief. “Sorry” is all I was offered and escorted through immigration cancellation, back to the check-in desk where they would rebook me on another flight — except there wasn’t any until day after! This was a nightmare! How can life change so drastically from feeling blessed the previous evening to crying for assistance 18 hours later? I yelled, wailed, reasoned, blamed and yelled some more. I was anything but a Buddha then. I had no option but to buy a new last minute ticket. From Cathay Pacific business class, I was holding an Air India economy boarding pass — all in a span of 30 minutes. This whole episode was cruel but it got me thinking…Enlightenment isn’t a fancy tag attained from mere meditation. It comes with obstacles galore and this ‘Bedisattva’ clearly has a long way to go before being a Bodhisattva. I’ll continue to visit new places, but something tells me; I’ll never forget Shanghai — the first stop on my struggle express. I know the ride will be tough, but its these adventures that make it Supa! I’ll continue to bring these episodes to you, in the hope that you look beyond your circumstances too.
My phone beeped as if on cue: a generic ‘daily guidance’ flashed on the recently joined Buddhist group:
“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.” - Buddha
Hmmm that’s a direct sign I say! What’s done is done. Let’s focus on the plan ahead. The next flight is five hours away. I spotted a massage place within the terminal. It was time to switch off, analyse and reboot. Back massage, here I come. I have no idea what knots the man healed but after 90 minutes I was smiling again. May be in the rapid pace of everyday life; I forgot to pay attention to myself. It was THE BEST massage I’ve ever had! A coffee and munch later, I was sat on the flight where the entire row was empty. I sprawled, slept, watched movies, had surprisingly amazing food and courteous service — by far THE BEST Air India flight I ever took.
Our days may have waves of high and low, but let’s not be affected by these ripples. We must carry on with gusto. So, let me sign off with the question that started it all — How’s the Josh? Supa High sir! ;)
** Pls do share your josh and your thoughts in the comments section below.**
COMMENTS
Nice read!
How’s the cash? Gone Sir. You’re like Gulliver with the travels, always something interesting happening.