Day 86 - Chennai

Back in Chennai - the last stop in India. I got here about 11 after a relatively easy bus ride (it rained, but I managed to haul the metal window shutter down so I didn't get too wet). Then I had the problem of getting from Chennai bus station to Edgmore, where I planned to stay, without being ripped off. The rickshaw drivers were asking ridiculous prices, so I steeled myself for a long barganing session involving shouting/waving arms/walking off angrily - but then a bus went by me with the glorious word EDGMORE written on the front. I waved, ran and jumped on (with some difficulty - it wasn't going to stop for me), then grinned as we sailed by the group of disappointed rickshaw drivers - haha.

From Edgmore station it was a short (smelly) walk to Ritherton Rd, and the Salvation Army Hostel. The hostel has seen better days, but the bloke on reception was helpful and friendly, and the beds are the cheapest in town. Reception bloke chatted away about check out times and curfew etc, then:

Reception guy(smiling): How long have you lived in India madam?
Me (confused): I've just been travelling, nearly 3 months, why?
Reception guy: Because when I am talking you are wobbling your head, like we do
Me (wobbling head): hahaha, I didn't notice (bugger - I've been here too long)

The dorm room was dark and dingy, so I chained my bag to the bed (another one-inch-wonder mattress - greeaat) and left to get some brunch. On the way to the area near the station with all the restaurants, I nipped in to one of the great corner shops/pharmacies they have here in India - I spotted the hugest bottle of boost ever, and was so tempted - but there was no way I could squeeze it into my bag, so I settled for a normal size. I also got some chocolate (cadbury's, and chilled too - yum) and some antihistamine tablets (why did I not think of this before - they are so cheap, I love the way you can just buy medicines in poky shops in India for next to nothing, when in the UK you need to get a prescription, and pay through the nose - so funny).

I ate in Ceylon Non-Veg restaurant - I thought non-veg would have veg stuff as well as meat - but no, non veg means just that, no veg. Luckily Indians class eggs as veg so, although I was highly tempted by 'Brain Masala', I went for egg biryani - and very nice it was too.

I'm now in a tiny A/C internet cafe (A/C = glacial) and after some quality internetting I will walk the few km to the Government museum and national art gallery. Then, after the touristy stuff is out the way, I'll grab a pastry& boost from coffee day, then head along the best bookshop in Chennai to replace the latest tome I've finished reading.

Oh, and it's still raining, a lot.