Thiruvananthapuram
Trip Start
Oct 10, 2007
1
22
78
Trip End
Jun 26, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum),
India
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
We had another parcel to post, and after a rigmarole at the wrong post office, where they said we had to buy a box from a stationary shop, and come back with the open box for customs to check, however customs had closed for the day, we eventually found the legitimate GPO and a very helpful clerk, who guided us to a seat and let us cool down, whilst his friend set about packaging up our items. This being a legitimate post-office packer and not some stoned chancer that Andy had found on the street, the work was done in 20 minutes and for 40 rupees, not the 770 that we parted with in Jodhpur for the privilege. Poor Palin was most crestfallen as the extent of the extortion sank in, and his faith in humanity has taken another sorry knock. I don't know what works best here in India, to go along trusting everyone with an open heart and mind as he does, or basically to hate everyone and scowl at them as i do. Certainly i have been the one less disappointed by various turns of events, but it would be nicer to approach life with the joyful innocence he has sometimes.
A quick pint and kebab (we're all class) in the Nasa pub, done out like a spaceship with waiters in captains uniforms (we're all class) and it was onto the sleeper train. We were in sleeper class, which is what you're sentenced to here for first degree crimes, but it turned out alright, our companions were a friendly lot and we managed to get some sleep despite the heat, and the inevitable cries of "chai chai chai, kopi, kopi, kopeeeeeeeee" from 5am. A policy of aceptance re.
Illuminated Ganesh
the cockroaches elleviated a potential area of stress, and it was with a zen-like calm that we watched the landscape change from dull and overcast, to one of glorious sunshine, sparkling waters, and swaying palms. Trivandrum was short and sweet, and we breakfasted in the Indian Coffee House, where the waiters have bypassed Starbucks training school in favour of a more formal look ad disposition (see photo). The building was shaped like a lighthouse,with booths spiralling up into infinity (or thereabouts). Most magical. And then we were off again, up the coast to Verkala where we quite need some time to sit down and relax. This isn't a bloody holiday you know!
xxxx
