It was not at all funny when it was all actually happening.
I must confess I was adequately warned about it. Some people
I know had, had their share of misadventures with it. In fact, that is what raised my curiosity. I had to experience it. You live life only once and I certainly did
not want to die ignorant.
I looked up google maps,
made note of directions and walked a couple of miles into alleyways that
must have carried years and years of
history and commerce with it. It
was all intriguing and fascinating.
To the eyes the place felt like Bombay for its sheer energy
and enterprise.
To the body the place felt like Chennai for its heat and humidity .
To the heart the place felt foreign at the same time it felt
like home.
Rich, fertile, green mountains that nurtured thousands of
species of animals and plants stood in stark contrast to the sprawling urban jungle, that stood tall and high in
all that reclaimed land. It stretched not horizontally but vertically to
dizzying heights that made you feel the awe for the sheer wonders of modern man made
creation.
It was relatively clean ( considering what you are used to if you have lived in Indian cities) and extremely safe even in the middle of the night ( although the over cautious traveller in me refuses to take chances)
It was extremely modern and commercialized. What with Louis vitton, Cartier, Dior, Chanel, Versace, Prada and Jimmy choo outlets it felt like Champ de elysees. But as a stark contrast it also exuded a quaint old world charm. The narrow alleyways with hawkers selling stuff at mind boggling and ridiculously low prices. ( After you have numbed your conscience and bargained your way through.).
It felt very foreign in a sense since people on the streets hardly spoke or understood English. But it felt very much like home since the street smart locals put their gadgets and their mastery over sign language to good use and communicated to make up for the lack of mastery over that arguably universal language.
The people ... they were proud and yet they were humble.
Ah ... but I have digressed a lot.
I walk through the narrow alleyways, take pictures and
finally decide to take a shot at it.
I try my hand at bargaining over the price. But they see the tourist in me in the way I
am cheekily taking photographs and refuse to budge on the price.
They have probably made a killing since I agreed for a price
just 20% lower than what they quoted. I just could not bargain any more since
my impatient self was raring to go and to take a shot at this piece of experience for what felt like a reasonable
cost.
But it had to wait.
People over there do not do this on the streets or anywhere in public.
They packed it well for me and I tucked it deep into my bag.
I headed back with the single minded
determination of trying it out in privacy once I was safely in my hotel room.
The MTR was crowded. It was peak hour evening traffic. But I got a seat.
I clutched my bag close to my chest. That is when it struck me.
The funny thing that happened on my way to the hotel aboard the MTR in Hong Kong.
It was the Durian.
That exotic fruit cut and packed in polystyrene container that was safely tucked inside my bag. It started smelling.
That exotic fruit cut and packed in polystyrene container that was safely tucked inside my bag. It started smelling.
I braved up the smell and held it closer to myself in the
hope that the other passengers around me do not smell it. I consoled myself
saying they could suspect it in anyone’s bag .
It is like farting in
public or peeing in a pool. No one would get to know who did it, unless your
face gives it away.
It did not take them much time to figure it out. Faces turned towards me. The way I was clutching
my bag, I think I gave it away.
To say it was embarrassing, would be an understatement . I look up and down the train trying to avoid other people’s gaze. And this is what catches my attention.
To say it was embarrassing, would be an understatement . I look up and down the train trying to avoid other people’s gaze. And this is what catches my attention.
Damn ... Will they dump me off the train? Will they imprison
me? Will they deport me from this country?
If it was a fine I would have gladly paid. Ok, may be I would grudgingly paid. Why is there no fine for Durian? Is it a bigger and more unpardonable crime than smoking, eating, drinking or carrying inflammable goods ?
If it was a fine I would have gladly paid. Ok, may be I would grudgingly paid. Why is there no fine for Durian? Is it a bigger and more unpardonable crime than smoking, eating, drinking or carrying inflammable goods ?
Oh no !!! I should
have been careful . Me and my
misadventures . It was’nt funny at all.
Thankfully my MTR station arrives and I quickly get off the
train and make a quick exit off the station.
On the streets I take long strides and walk like I am chased
by a spirit. In my mind I can almost imagine the cops chasing me from all
sides. I do not have the guts to look
back and check.
I make my way into the hotel entrance and into the elevator. The
elevator door closes on me.
Honestly, I cannot fathom how I did not notice this
signboard in all the previous instances days when I took the elevator.
Now I cannot even plead ignorance. I get into my room and I am still holding my bag close to my chest. It does not help much. By now there is no mistaking the smell of the Durian.
Now I cannot even plead ignorance. I get into my room and I am still holding my bag close to my chest. It does not help much. By now there is no mistaking the smell of the Durian.
Is it foul ? Is it sweet ?
I cannot come to a decision on that bit.
I guess ‘Smell’ like beauty lies in the noses of the
beholder.
But this one I was not sure. Sweet or foul, it emanates a smell that cannot be controlled. Soon the room smells of durian. There are no windows that can be opened.
But this one I was not sure. Sweet or foul, it emanates a smell that cannot be controlled. Soon the room smells of durian. There are no windows that can be opened.
The only place to bury the Durian was in my stomach. I quickly pick a piece up. It looks like a piece
of chicken. The strict vegetarian in me
revolts. But right now there is no other place for
the two pieces of Durian to go but into my mouth and then into my belly. I close
my eyes, roll up my nose and put one piece into my mouth.
It was an orgasmic moment.
What the nose smells the tongue does not.
The sweet, fleshy Durian pulp, almost melts into my mouth.
My taste buds ejaculate in sheer ecstasy.
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET said Shakespeare .
Clearly that bloke had not been through the Durian experience in his lifetime.
I cringe when I think of the dirty looks, the co-passengers gave me on the MTR and the imaginary cops who chased me on the streets. For now I do not have the gumption to try out another misadventure.
But who knows ? It is certainly worth a try. But that will have to wait.
No wonder the South east Asians call it the King of fruits.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
So glad you were spared the ordeal of being chased by cops or the hefty fine!
ReplyDeleteWe can always plead ignorance as we are tourists... but the laws are strict and we may not be spared :)
Have to try the Durian now! Looks like Jackfruit. :)
Gripping tale.
All is well that ends well!
Never heard off such hate towards a smelly fruit! Well-written piece :)
ReplyDelete