Making the Train

Any seasoned traveller knows a few things:

1. Always carry a change of clothes in your carry-on
2. Pack more underwear than you think you will need
3. Invariably you will run to catch a Bus, Train or Plane.

A few years ago I missed a flight, then a short while later ran shoeless and ID less through the airport to make my departing flight.  Both of these incidents have assured that I will do my very best to get to the airport insanely early and then sit around waiting.  But somehow this caution has to not passed on to the rest of my travel. I am forever running through bus and train terminals.

Catching the train to Chennai was one of these moments.  With the heavy rains and booming population, Bengaluru has become congested with traffic.  Typically, the trip to the train station is a quick 20-30 minutes, however, this time it took over an hour.  All because a small section of the station road had washed out, allowing only 2 cars to pass at a time.  The most agonizing is staring at the train station for 35 minutes, knowing that your gate is literally around the corner but being unable to get there.  By some small miracle, my train was late and I was able to board just as the train was leaving the station.  Watching the minutes pass and knowing that I may have missed my train was enough to take 5 years off my life.

Weekend in Chennai

In the end, it was worth it!  I spent 3 fun-filled and hilarious days with my cousin and her family in Chennai.  Most of the time I played with her 2 hilarious little boys, who insisted that they could act as translators and wanted to show off everything!  I went to cricket practice, picked them up from school and visited the hospital where my cousin works.  It was was a fun insight into life as a blended family.

I saw very little of the city itself, but on Sunday we had a “girls day out” and went shopping at Pondy Bazaar.  After a complete wardrobe makeover, we visited the salon and enjoyed some pampering.

The best part of hanging out with family, is that while you may not have seen each other in years, you can easily pick up where you left off.  This weekend reminded me, that many of the people I am visiting have known me for most of my life, however I have not seen many of them in years.  It has been fun updating everyone so far, and giving them some insight into my life as part of the working world.