Hotel room problem during Ind-Pak cricket match

Midnite Toker

Yasterday's World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan had an unexpected impact on hotel room availability.

After 36 hours on the train from Goa, I wanted a slightly nicer room than bottom-level cubicle-with-bed-and-toilet. A nice room with attached bath and TV would suit me very well.

Enquiries in the Pahar Ganj area showed NO rooms with televisions available at four in the afternoon. I took a rather tiny single at the Ajay, with the promise of a future upgrade to a TV room. Except, as I settled in, I couldn't help noticing the groups of young men clustered around a room opposite. They were watching the match on TV, but no tourist was visible inside.

Further, persistent enquiries at reception showed the room was free after all. I imagine this situation was repeated in most hotels; and I felt like a real stink bag as I closed my door to the chaps and peeled off travel-grimed clothes to slip into the shower.

Cricket victory fever erupted later:
"Hindustan, Zindabad!" shouted boys in the street. Later, someone hurled a very stale cake in a bag onto my balcony, and firecrackers burst in the air while young men danced and sang.

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Gandhi

what else to expect when it's an indo-pak cricket world cup clash and india winning it. either join the celebrations and feel being on the top-of-the-world, or just stay away as a spectator, nobody would care abt you. but mind you, don't say a word in favor of pakis, u r dead then..enjoy!!!

Watson

Hey Midnight, that must have been something else when India took the match. I saw some footage on BBC world and it all seemed very very exuberant. Did you go out on the town and party a bit with the frantic winners? I really wished I could have been there. Enjoy your travels!

Midnite Toker

That's would be fine normally, Gandhi. But after a long train trip all you want is somewhere to have a shower and sit in peace for a bit.

There was an aftermath to the match. After India won the game a big chorus of hoots and cheers erupted from the streets.
Young men ran along making war whoops and letting off very loud firecrackers:
"Hindustan Zindabad!" was the shout all around. Yet near midnight, when just about all the victorious Indian ravers had gone home to talk about wickets and spinners with their friends, out came the losing
side's supporters. They set up a big
cassette machine playing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at full blast just below my balcony, and began clapping and shouting, "Pakistan Zindabad!" I feared for a riot, but after twenty minutes the pro-Pakistan men went away as well and the night was as quiet as if cricket had never been invented.

vasuki

Glad you were not in my part of India in Ahmedabad.. The rioting started here once the 'victory processions' were attacked.. Situation is still quite tense... in the old city area... Have a safe travel across India... my friend!