Time log of the trip. As events are unfolding. Mostly for us, but if you find it interesting dig in.[09:00] Wake up and snoozing.[09:20] Shower 🚿[09:30] Paying rest of expenses. Damn laundry was 2,5k INR. We needed it but this was really expensive.[09:40] Breakfast. Airalo app didn't work on the Hilton Wi-Fi network due to an ssl issue. So I had to use my phone as a hotspot to get the e-sim working.[10:05] Finishing packing, since we are leaving for Madurai today.[10:40] Off we go.[10:42] Got a rickshaw in a minute. First one was no, not to the railway station and drove off, second one was on board.[10:55] At train station. Trying to get AC chairs. Filled out a form and went into the right line. Then suddenly one guy shows up and says:
Hey sir. Were you at Hilton yesterday?
Am yes?
Me to I work there.
It turns out he was one of the cleaning staff. So he helped us get the ticket, and we blocked the people trying to squeeze in. Sorry only one AC ticket left. Damn. He then told us that the hotel could have booked the ticket for us 🤦♂️ lesson learned. Large hotels really can provide you if infrastructure in a country like India, but you have to ask.[11:05] Off we go to the train. We are an attraction 😂[11:10] "No sir. Pepsi is approved for train stations. Not coca-cola." 💰[11:17] On the train. This time benches. Guy next to us took the entire bench on the opposite side with three suitcases. Met some guys from Hyderabad on a religious trip.[11:30] And a Lady arrived. So we are fish in a tuna can now.[11:41] Train to Madurai. Ok 6-min delay. Let’s see. And we are stopping. OK driving again.[13:08] 4 more hours of train ride. Time for some blogging.[13:13] When you travel by train through India take a window seat if possible, and you'll see that it's a country in the making. Literally. They are building everywhere, bridges, roads, houses, ... you name it. To a degree or 20 their climate is probably slowing things down a bit, but they work, work, work. Plus they have an enormous educational potential. The guy from our Hotel that we met at the train station today had a hotel management degree and has to work as a cleaner for now. But once their economy undergoes a certain transition they will accelerate towards more US/Europe like development way faster than Europe and US did. They simply have the youngest, largest and most willing to work workforce at the moment. Yes even bigger than China.[13:30] Tried taking some photos. Luckily didn't lose my phone.[13:40] Ok can’t type the train is shaking too much. It’s a new track though. Managed to update the USA, 2019 web page. Update of the India trip page and do the minor editing of the blog post for 2024-01-05.[13:42] Shaking a bit less now.[14:09] I think we are traveling past rice fields. It's raining a bit today. Our wagon is a bit more chaotic today. Like a market. But less crowded. Can’t really feel my ass anymore. 3 more hours though.[14:38] Tirunelveli town. Aha, so time for people to get lunch apparently 😂 we’re not in the mode for experimentation. So packed snacks there are. We have some nani from Zam Zam from yesterday though. OK one lady just used her teeth to tear her lunch up. Yes AC waiting room:[14:48] We are moving from train station and people are still jumping on to the train.[15:05] Wrapped up 2024-01-06 blog post.[15:09] Since there was no thrash bag. A dude just threw trash out of the train 🤦♂️ at the spot where the trash bag could be.[15:15] Photo time with few Indian guys:Apparently they are on a 42-day religious ceremony. They do the ceremony every year, visiting the temples and giving gifts to the gods. They worship some sort of small god (didn't catch the name). It's one of the older gods. They have been doing this for years as their ancestors did. The black robes represent the god they worship. They fast and only eat nan and rice in that period.I think I got the gist of it. But probably missed a few details.They air-dropped me the photo, nop guys air drop doesn't work with phone bumping 😅 The one with Iphone had to take a photo and then two more showed up for photo 🙂 [15:20] Snack. And continue writing.[15:47] One more hour of train ride.[16:00] Just had a nice chat on the train with an Indian guy. He was surprised to see foreigners on this type of train. He just ate a toothpaste (I think) and subscribed to my blog.We had to take a photo togather: He told me a lot of very interesting stories, about their way of life. What he works on, ...[16:55] At train station. Rickshaw drivers pretty much swarmed on us.[17:10] Got one for 250 INR, at the start they wanted 500 INR. They didn't have the taxi meters mostly and most rickshaws were larger.[17:30] At hotel. Checking in. They also have the security check.[17:45] Shower.[18:00] Choosing what to eat.[18:26] Ordered the food.[19:00] Dinner[19:40] Nap[20:40] Wake up[20:53] Get water[21:20] Back at the hotel.[21:30] Watching Jack Reacher S02E06 🙂[22:30] Publishing the blog post, IG, blog post bug fixes.[00:00] To sleep
