Training in India

Sunday May 5 2013  2:00pm

Long day on the Train

We flew from Singapore to Malaysia and from there to Chennai, India last night.  We arrived around 5:00pm and took a cab to our hotel.  India felt so familiar in so many ways even though we have never been in that area before.  

We realized on our way there that the hotel that N had booked back at home did not have AC and about five minutes in the +35 heat told us we wouldn't sleep at all without it.  By the time we arrived at the hotel we were both soaked with sweat.  Fortunately an extra $4 will get you AC in your room.  Unfortunately all the ATM machines near our hotel were out of order be N sent over n area wondering around looking for a spot to draw cash.  He had no trouble finding something mysterious look and deep fried treat tied with string in a newspaper so he was not upset about the excursion.  I think I must have blocked out how nasty the hotels we stayed in last time were because I was pretty grossed our by the place we were staying.  I won't go into detail on that subject though.  

We went to bed early because our train left at 5am this morning.  I had it in my mind it was a 5 hour trip which seemed fine.  It was actually closer to 9 hours in a nonAC car so it has been a pretty long and sweaty journey.  We had pleasant company, at least which makes a big difference.  Two men from Chennai on the way to visit family and a young couple and their very sweet one year old daughter.  The couple spoke almost no English but their little girl provided ample entertainment.  

I said to N,  it's amazing how calming the familiar is.  There are lots of challenging cultural things, for us, about India but looking out the window and whizzing past the rice fields I feel very at ease.  The route has been quite scenic, and minus the heat and duration enjoyable.  I don't find India a particularly relaxing place to travel but it is good to be back.  We are less than an hour from our destination in Vijayawada.  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at the Mission, again!

This is sort of a random little story that I didn't know where to add in:

I woke up from a nap, just now, to witness an androgenous gendered prostitute, dressed as a woman trying to procure my husband. Stubbled face with bright pink lipstick, she wore a bright green sari and lots of gaudy jewelry that jingled as she walked.  The prostitute was nodding at him suggestively, turning her body and clapping.  Fortunately I don't think my darling man really understood what this person was requesting.  The prostitute left him alone, once I was awake.  We have seen people like this in the train station before but never interacted with them.  

We are within an hour of the Mission now no very eager to get there!