Also, this one doesn't have too many pictures again. Just a few from the train station and the train ride. Well here it goes..
I couldn't sleep from the night before. I always find that when I drink, I usually wake up early. Odd. Anyhow I had a hangover, which I usually never get... At all. I guess this is a side effect of getting older.
I popped Advil, drank the rest of the water I had left, took my probiotic pill, and packed. Everything is a mess here. You can tell I felt comfortable in this place because everything was all over. I was constantly on the go, taking part intbe life outside. Kolkata has done well for me. I'd have to say, aside from the major attraction of the Taj, and the wedding, this was my favorite spot. Kolkata was a happening place. I'd definitely come back here.
I have to check out at 11:30am or I pay another nights rent. Heck no. This cheap-o is headed out with his luggage.
I head back to the Blue Sky Cafe/restaurant. I know they cook things well already, and want a decent meal that has some cheese so it clogs me for the train ride. I'm definitely NOT going to the bathroom on the train, unless it's number 1. Again, those stalls are beyond hideous. I don't know why they even call them toilets. It might as well be called the shit closet.
I eat a pasta meal with cheese garlic bread. I got some crappy chai, which is surprising for the quality if this restaurant.
I'm able to get more water as well, and take my time with it all. My train leaves at 11:45pm so I'm about 12 hours ahead if schedule. I told Freddie and Lizzie that I'd be at the clock tower and market dt 1:30pm as discussed but who knows if these plans will actually happen after partying last night.
I take my time up until around 1:00pm. I strap on my bags again and head out to the market. Luckily it's not too far away. I stroll around the market and some men try to get me to go to thier shops. One in particular is saying 'we have nice shirts.' I know Freddie wanted to get one. I'm already in possession of one so I just go look for the hell of it. I explain to him that I must go back outside of the market to wait for my friends. He offers me a stool to sit. Screw it, if he wants to charge me I'm not paying. I just plop, haha. He then discusses with me what my friends look like so he can go watch for me. I said it's okay no worries, I'll keep a look. We continue to chat about my train I will be taking, why I'm here, and where I'm headed. I ask them about a chain because I can't find anywhere tha sells these. I'm sure they do at the train but if they don't, I can't get one, because I'll already be there. He says one minute, as runs away. I'm confused. I ask another guy. He says, 'he get you a chain.' I take a step out to keep a look out for Freddie and Lizzie. The guy comes out with two chains. I asked where he got them, and he said they were his personal ones! I'm very surprised if that's true. He states two different prices for each chain. One is thicker as more heavy duty, and the other is not as thick but still a good chain. I buy the smaller one from him. Perfect I'm able to chain my bag now if I am stuck in sleeper class.
The group of guys from the store are all hanging out with me just making friendly conversation. Again, this type of conversation is so much better then being a novelty to them. They begin pointing out every white person they see, asking if it was my friends. We all laugh because it's super obvious when a foreigner walks by. I continue to say 'no' to them. I explain that it's two people, on male and one female, and I describe Fresdie's hair.
I eventually say I'm going to walk around a little, since it's 2:00pm. I head down to the air coditioned mall under the market. That was cool. No pun intended. It was basically a ton of clothing stores.
I come back up and see the same guy again. He states that since I'm leaving Kolkata, I should not waste my time in the shops and the markets, I should go to the park, and take a stroll towards the river. I thought that this was probably the most sincere thing a shop owner could have said. He was being honest, being genuine. Usually it's 'spend time here I give good price.' Very cool of him.
I thank him, tell him if he sees my friends tell them I said bye, and I head off!
I'm walking down this super chaotic busy street. I am zigging and zagging. It's super bright. I slam my sunglasses down from my forehead to my face, and plow through the crowds. I see an electronics shop. Interesting.... Let's check it out.
Super nice watches- around 15k rupees
Sports watches- around 700-1500 rupees.
Some select smart phones- around 7000k...no iPhones.
iPhone 4 cases- anywhere from 300-1000 rupees.
I think this is hilarious because the semi crappy phone case was about the same cost or more than a decent watch.
Just thought that was interesting.
So I start walking again through the crowds. All I have to do is keep going straight to reach the park. I find my way crossing many busy roads, and dodging taxis, buses, people, and cars...
Eventually I pass a monument... Then another.. A statue of mother Teresa. I keep walking and I hear a loud noise from what sounds like a sporting event. I keep walking and pass a game of cricket. I stand and watch for a short few minutes. I keep walking, and reach the sound of the intercom speaker. I'm not sure what is going on but it's definitely not a sporting event. This is a loud speaker, people joking flags, and crowds all around. I'm a little confused. I will be looking this up to truly understand what I was at. Eventually I don't feel like walking anymore, and pull a taxi over. The fare SHOULD cost me around 100 rupees to get to the train. I tell the taxi driver Howrah Station. He simply says 200 rupees. I said 'no, 100 or the meter.' He pulls away. The meter is what they are supposed to use.... That was annoying. Next one takes a couple to flag down. I say Howrah train 100. He says 200. I say meter. He says no and says 150. I said why not meter? He then says no again and begins to pull away. I really don't feel like doing this..... I say 150 is ok and hop in.
Back over the famous Howrah Bridge, and as I reach the station, Fresdie messages me! They are alive!!!!!! Yes!!!! He says they just slept in the whole time. Haha! Right on man! I wish I could have slept more. Just wish I coulda said bye. Damn.
Freddie and Lizzie, no other simple way to say it. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guys were a great time, down to earth, and good people. It's people like you that make this journey worth it.
I'm at the station and head straight to the computerized ticketing office. I ask them if my ticket can be upgraded to 2AC. They say 'do it on the train'. I say okay, and my next goal is to find an outlet, and water.
I find both in one spot, the waiting room restaurant. I am not allowed to use thier charging though. I have to go down into the hot muggy crowd. I find myself now jumping from outlet to outlet because almost none work. Finally I find one with a grimy pee scented corner next to a bathroom. Whatever. I have a charge. I can do stuff on the phone while I wait for the next 8 hours. I sit there. I blog. I Facebook. I iMessage, and Whatsapp. I make sure I have the address to my next hotel... I'm bored. People just walk by me in amusement.
I probably say here for about 5 hours.
During these five hours a few men came up to me and just stare at me. I say, 'may I help you?' One begins asking me questions about myself. I fail to answer but succeed in asking them questions. Including all of them. Where are you from? Where are you going? When is your train?... This sets them off a little. We start to really have conversation now. One sits next to me and speaks a small amount of English. He begins to practice with me, looking for confirmation that he is doing well.
I got it! My dear friend Hannah Leidich... Thanks for giving me the India languages book. I have been using it randomly but now it's of great value. I'm using It to communicate between the man and myself from Hindi, Bengali, and English. We practice many phrases with each other, laughing, smiling, and sharing high fives. He then gets a bit off when we practice the 'may I use your phone' and I give motions as to what that means. He understands. He says it again but reaches for my phone and looks at me. I states, 'good! This is my phone, but you say it well!'
He laughs but tries again. I simple say no. Finally he wants a picture with me. So I take one. No problem. He then says he can go and says goodbye.
Another couple of men were listening in and watching. Now I find myself sitting next to two teachers themselves. We all bond over being teachers/future teachers. Some other guys bring over a little kid to say hi. The little girl is laughing and waving. I say hello and smile back. I can't wait until Thailand now. This was an instant reminder as to why I am headed that way.
I am starting to fall asleep now that the activity is over. I have 3 hours left, and I try to find a bathroom to use before it gets difficult to hold it for days. I find a pay to use toilet. To my disadvantage, I pay 2 rupees to use a closet with a hole, exactly like the train bathrooms. I'm holding it.
I think I need to find coffee to stay awake. I find a small chicken fries snack, a fruit cake, and coffee. Im reenergized now and then decide to stock up on snacks and water for the train ride. I get another packaged fruitcake another water, and two bags of chips. Perfect!
I make my way to a closer seat to my carriage number. I begin falling asleep here too. I set an alarm just in case.
Another younger guy sits next to me, fascinated by my phone. He wants a picture. This is getting old. He leans in, for one, two, three pictures.
I eventually get up as the time gets closer to 11:00pm, when the train is suppose to arrive. I'm walking down the platform, which turns from well lit fish and piss benches, to very poor lit, dark grungy railway tracks and stray dogs showing their teeth. I wait by my carriage number sign. S3. (Sleeper 3). Eventually, 20-30 minutes later the train arrives. The doors are locked and we can't get in. We all shake and push the train doors attempting to let ourselves in. I try one door, then the next, then even another carriage. I'm not too worried knowing the train must wait about 30 minutes longer before it can leave. I see other in the upper class sections getting on. I run up that way. I see a Ticketing Master. I show him my ticket and ask for an upgrade. He motions to move on to the next Ticketing Master. I reach him, 5 carriages down and am told the same thing. I run once more and get to the next Ticketing Master. He mentions I must pay 1875 for the difference. I state that is fine, and he sends me to the nearest carriage, bed 19. I'm in 2AC again, only this time I'm in the larger bunked area across the aisle. I am in a bunk where there are 4 beds. It like a family room. I invade on an older woman's space, and plop on the bed next to her. Her husband sits next to her and watch me. I finally sit and say hello, introduce myself, smile, and shake thier hands. They smile back. The husband is in the bed across the aisle in the lower bunk. I want that because it has it's own private curtain. I'm okay though. I'm lucky to have a spot in 2AC. It's still a little hot though.
We all immediately fall asleep seeing that it's now 12 midnight.
I chain my luggage to the bed, use my backpack as a pillow for my pillow, and tuck all my belongings under me. I fall asleep. I sleep well. I wake at 6am to watch the countryside go by. Watching this as rain falls, and my earbuds in is a sign to me that I've almost made it. I'm almost there.
I'm taking some pictures of the scenery..
The couple tell me to watch for the body of water comin up. Apparently it's famous but I have no clue why. They say something along the lines if 'importing fish, feeds from sea'. Either way it looks cool and I try to get some pictures through the grimy windows.
Back to sleep.
As I wake the couple is on their way off the train. Another group of men find their way into my bunk.
I introduce myself after they are settled. We all state that we are getting off the same stop. We exchange a couple more words with each other through the next 12 hours before we reach Chennai Central Station. They purchase frozen mango and stringy looking bread, or it at least looks like that. I'm so tired I pass out. I roll over a few times to the down pour hitting the metal roofs of the train and the foggy windows. Even in the AC it's getting humid.
You can tell the train is going slower because of the rain. Surprisingly we make it on time to Chennai. I wake up and get up to one of the man's alarms going off. It's an Indian music station of some sort.
I collect my bags, strap in, lace my boots, and say farewell. I'm off te train stepping through 100s of bodie lying on the ground trying to sleep before their train, or trying to sleep using the station a a shelter. Again it's hard to distinguish the two from each other.
I find my way to an officer and ask, 'pre paid taxi?' He says 'right, 6am'. Greaaattt, it opens at 6am. It's 4:15am. That's fine I'll wait. I find myself a seat between bodies, and lay on my bags in a metal seat. I wrap my arms around my straps and let my body sleep for 45 minutes or so on and off. I get up and head to the taxi stand. Little did I know it was raining. I find myself a corner to out my bags down, and out them in the covers. Strap them on again - and walk into the rain. I wait in the line and give my address of the hotel. Give my slip to an officer to assign me a taxi, and we are all getting tuktuks for some reason. Whatever. I hop in. Show him the address and direct the way to the hotel using my maps app once we get close. Were driving and driving in the rain, about a half hour ride. We pass the airport I'll e going to tomorrow. I see the tails of the planes and I want to just go early. I can taste the plane seat with my name on it. I'm so close. I just have to hope that it won't be delayed or cancelled due to rain. I just have to get to bangkok, my hotel, then pick up Mel and it's home free. This is all running through my mind like Tom and Jerry.
It's way early. I'm checking in a day in advance, technically. This is because I will be leaving later in the day at around 7pm tomorrow, and I'm checking in today at 7:30am. So realistically, since it's 24 hour check in/out... Im over my time. Ohwell, it'll be worth it. I can shower in the evening, not get TOO sweaty, and then charge all my devices. Good. Expensive, but this is good. I will drain my rupees that I have available. I will have around 1000 left when I reach the airport. (About 20 USD). I'll be getting money out in the DMK Bangkok airport at an ATM. I just don't want to deal with much getting there at 4am. I hope I can find a SIM card it's apparently not too easy at this airport. Worst comes to worst I'll have to find one in the city.
I can't wait to see Mel. It's going to e weird being in Thailand for a day without her first, but that'll give me time to get a SIM card, and find my way to the BKK airport on time to pick her up. Safe travels Mel!!!!!!! I'll see you soon!!!!! SO excited and will be SO relieved when we are together.
I'm close to getting out if this crazy awesome hell hole. I spend the next two days resting, watching tv, relaxing, and prepping for the arrival to Bangkok. Now I am here waiting for my ride to the Chennai Intenstional Airport. I leave here at 7pm and my flight at 10:25pm. I'll be early but.... You never know.
Venture On.. Can't wait until I'm on this journey with my sister by my side.
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