How to Make a Reservation (Without Reservations)

Bartley and I plan to make weekend trips as much as possible while in Hyderabad. Today, we started trying to get train tickets and accommodations for this weekend in several places-- mostly faraway, nature-y places, two of which have only one option for accommodation, requiring advance booking.

I called the tourist office of Hyderabad and indicated I wanted to book for this weekend in Tyda (because the hotel is state run). The first lady who answered just hung up on me. The second time I called, the phone was handed to someone new, who presumably spoke better English. She asked the date, place and number of guests before giving me a number-- which may have been a reference number or telephone number-- and saying I'd have to come into the office (I think). I tried to ask if there was anything open for this weekend, and she just said I have to come to the office. ok. I called the number, which had the right number of digits to be a phone number, and the operator asked the same questions then told me to come into the office, which she identified only as being "opposite Assembly. You know Assembly? Ok, madam".

So I called a man who runs a houseboat tour in Koroneema. The boat is rented for 24 hours and accomodates four, so the guidebook suggests asking them to pair you with two other guests if you only have two in your party. The conversation went something like this:

"Hello, yes, I would like to book for this weekend"

"Hello, Madam, ok"

"Is there something open this weekend?"

"ok, ok. Yes, yes, ok. What is your number?"

"How many? Uh, myself and my husband-- two"

"ok, ok, (garbled explanation of price and what the tour includes)"

"yes sir-- we are only two-- can we be placed with another two people?"

"ok madam, (same garbled explanation of tour)"

"yes sir, I understand. We are two. Do you have other two people who can go-- same boat?"

"ok, ok, madam, it is for four (price and explanation)"

"I'm sorry? Uh-- we are two only--we can go with two other, same boat? "

"ok, ok, madam. You must book Hyderabad." (possibly not what he said at all)

"to-- uh-- for this weekend-- book at Hyderabad tourist office?"

"yes, yes, ok, madam (repeats garbled explantion of tour). Ok, madam"

"I--uh... ok. Do I book in tourist office?"

Eventually, he hangs up.

When I call to book a treehouse accomodation in Orissa:

"Two for this weekend. Is ok?"

"ok, ok, yes madam"

"this weekend, you have? "

"yes, yes, come quick"

"Sir, can I have confirmation for this weekend?"

"oook, come quick."

"Sir-- is there a reservation?"

"ok, come, come"


I do not feel confident about this.