Travelling in "hoot"

The act of travelling in “hoot” is legally punishable. (Here, “hoot” means the ceiling of bus where goods are kept.) But due to lack of sufficient means of transportation, people are bound to do so in Nepal. By means of safety, parents do not allow their wards to travel in the hoot. Some youngsters find it adventurous and joyful to be in hoot while travelling. Sometimes, I too have travelled in the hoot of a bus. And this time I had a different experience.

It was 8:00 in the evening. A group of girls came by where I was standing. And after a while some others joined them too. They were doing the same what I was doing: waiting for a bus! I had to listen their chattering for f-i-f-t-e-e-n minutes! Oh god! Why are there no vehicles today? I was wondering. Then a friend of mine happened to pass by walking. He asked me to walk and look for a hitchhike rather than waiting for the vehicle. I joined him! We walked for another 15 minutes but no bus and no hitchhiking.

Suddenly a micro-bus (a small vehicle having 16 seats and 4’ 10” high) carrying 30 passengers arrived. A few were hanging on the door! I had no options. Before I could make to the micro-bus others had already moved in. But I was able to travel in it. I could hear the wind whisper in my ears and the hook of my jacket was dancing in the wind for I was in the hoot! Yes, I was travelling in the hoot of a small micro-bus! Walkers on the road were giggling to see a person travelling in hoot of a micro-bus. It was good luck indeed for no policeman saw it. All went to vain as I had to walk another 20 minutes to reach my home after the last stop of the micro-bus. I was home at 9:30. What an experience!