Time: May 7-9, 2013
Place: Chennai
Company: Wife, daughter, parents, MIL
Highlights:
Day 0: Left to Chennai in train. Train departure at 11.45 pm but even at 10 pm, there was no assigned cab-drop. Last minute excitement, but all’s well in the end. Daughter sick during the journey to the station in the cab. Wondered if it was a good idea to invite the parents, considering all the trouble with travel and Chennai heat. Had invited just so that they can spend more time with Paavani in the short 3 week duration. Bad planning was to take a suitcase with an uncomfortable pull-tag. Lugging it up all the way up the bridge and down the bridge was a big turn-off. If only there was a ramp in the railway station.
Day 1: The night journey wasn’t all that heat-ed! Since there was no AC tickets available, had reserved the regular second sleeper. Once arrived in Chennai at about 8, the heat hit us! Added to this was the annoying pull-suitcase and the challenge of the language especially trying to identify the waiting cab driver. Finally found him, and his – thank God – AC car!
Arrived at the guest house. Amenities at the guest house of previous company were better compared to present guest house. Anyways. Per plan, had booked a hotel within walking distance for the parents and in-law. So walked to their room after breakfast and spent time with them.
Back for lunch, got ready and visited the OFC for the biometrics scheduled at 3.30 pm. The guest house chosen was such that it was in between the OFC and PAI centers. Despite that the autowallahs were bargaining. One guy agreed for 80, and begged for 120! It was a reverse bargain! Finally paid 100. Biometrics was done by 4.30.
Then, all of us left to Marina beach at about 5.45 pm. It was way too crowded and also too far to walk to the Bay of Bengal. All ventured into the water except me and wifey. After some snacks and sand and sweat, went shopping on the beachfront. More sand, more sweat.
Finally, headed back to the GH, amidst wailing child and an over-packed autorickshaw. Retired for the night after a small dinner. Needless to say, each trip out of the AC GH room necessitated a bath!
Day 2: The big day. Got up early. So went to the parents’ hotel to spend about an hour. Had breakfast in a small 10 by 10 outside café. Typical Chennai breakfast. Met Prashanth for a short duration at the GH since had to return some of his stuff.
PAI interview scheduled at 11 got done by 11.30, after the usual rigmarole of frisking, documents check, waiting in many lines and finally the interview. Thankfully, the interview was not a big deal and it was smooth. Back in the GH by 12. Had a short nap before having lunch and headed out to the station.
Regretted not having booked an AC chaircar even though had tickets in RAC. Had to suffer about 4-5 hrs in the Chennai summer heat until nightfall. Too many people, too few seats, too loud TV!
Heavy rains in Bangalore just when the train stopped. Finally, got the cab and reached home by about midnight.
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