Train Trip
The 20 minute walk to the station went quickly. We purchased our general tickets to Coimbatore from the ticket counter. India has changed so much. It used to be a wrestling match to buy tickets but now everyone purchases online. No one is at the ticket counter any more.
Platform 2 - 12.15, express train to Chennai - but we were getting out just part way along the journey. Our train arrived on time but another was delayed by 2 hours. We were the lucky ones. The train passed through beautiful countryside and we chatted to the man sitting opposite who spoke great English, with quite a nice accent. Very clear.
At Coimbatore getting off the train was an old school India experience. As people try to get off, people try to get on. Everyone has at least 10 bags, bundles or boxes. We are fighting to get off and they are fighting for the seats. The door way is small and not large enough for 4 people at the same time.
We went for lunch opposite the station.One mushroom and one paneer biryani. Very tasty indeed. Back outside the railway station was a bus stop. We tried to catch a bus following Google's advice. The bus inspectors have us different advice. The school girls gave us different advice. The auto drivers gave us different advice. A little old man gave us the right advice. 32A is the bus we need. Luckily we were on before the crowds appeared so we got a seat. Once everyone else was on you couldn't move! The ticket collector told us when to get off.
First stop was Chai in a local shop. The owner also gave us a fried thingy to try. We are not sure what they were exactly but there was a big queue for them. As we tried to pay, 2 young men probably about 18. Stopped us. They spoke to the owner and paid our bill! People away from the main tourist centres are super kind and generous. They really do not like us to pay. Even though they have nothing they will pay. They will not take our money, however hard we try.
We continued to our accomodation and saw a wild peacock flying amongst the branches of a tree.We stayed ans watched a while before we were off again. A few speed bumps and turns and we were there. We hadthe house to ourselves tonight but we made it in the nick of time before the rain arrived. We could have done with eating but going out seemed too risky. We were warned that the street dogs will probably bite us after dark!
