August 18 2003-Alone at Last. Farewell to Chennai and Moving on to a New Reality
Strange feeling after being cared for for 3 weeks. I don't remember the last time in my life where I didn't have to think of everything on my own. all I had to do for the last 3 weeks was BE.
Everything was taken care of for me. clothes washed,food prepared, room always neat and clean-outings planned-trips taken care of. I basically had nothing to think about except relaxing. Ravin has just deposited me on the train, made sure I had a good berth and told the attendant to wake me in the morning so I don't miss my stop. I am sitting on the train-so far alone-but it is a good compartment. Last one on the coach so instead of 4 beds, only 3-on top of me there is no bed which is a pleasant surprise. According to the list the other 2 beds are men, but we will see. I'm all hooked up - my bags in order, the toilet right outside so that is also easy during the night-and by 5 AM I should be in Kodaikanal Road and 3 hours later up in my guesthouse.
Rita prepared food for me-she wanted to give me more but I just ate a big dinner and only need for the morning- I have an apple and 3 parathas and will be at the guesthouse for breakfast anyway (if I had known what awaited me at the guesthouse...I would have held onto the extra paratha which I so generously gave to the taxi driver on the way up!)
On saying goodbye to everyone-Ravin's father could not let go of my hand and it was a difficult parting (Ramesh passed away about a year later from his kidney problem…very sad)-Rita,who could not hug me as I am used to, nevertheless held me close for a minute and began to cry. Again I held her and tried to do my best to reassure her that all would b well. And Indra, the maid, who I gave 100 rps earlier and she was most pleased - came out specially to say goodbye and the smile on her face and her holding my hands was quite touching for me. She said "go and come back soon". It was hard leaving. but I am now on the next leg of my journey and I am sure many wonderful things await me.
Good night for now although I don't know how well I will sleep with strange men here. One is already sitting opposite me and I think he is even more uncomfortable than I am about sitting across from a strange women, white at that...He is definitely making every effort possible to avoid eye contact so I will not initiate any dialogue unless I get some sign from him.
I have already been given a pillow and blanket and nowreceived a package in a paper bag which says:WISH YOU HAPPY JOURNEY-SOUTHERN RAILWAY. 1. THIS PACKET CONTAINES 2 BED SHEETS AND ONE TOWEL 2. THIS LINEN WAS WASHED IN A POWER LAUNDRY 3.IF YOU FIND ANY BEDROLL ITEM IN TATTERED, TORN,STAINED AND OR EMITTING ANY FOUL SMELL PLEASE ASK THEBED ROLL ATTENDANT TO REPLACE THE SAME.
The rest of my notes for this journal were written in indecipherable chicken scrawl while traveling along REAL Indian roads up a winding twisting road which instead of snaking once in awhile during turns, was a continuous snake which straightened out every once in a while...so I will decipher them when I have more patience as there were some interesting observations along the way I want to share with you
That's it for this entry...will try one or 2 more yet.Thanks to all those who sent me support this morning...it is most appreciated....
Everything was taken care of for me. clothes washed,food prepared, room always neat and clean-outings planned-trips taken care of. I basically had nothing to think about except relaxing. Ravin has just deposited me on the train, made sure I had a good berth and told the attendant to wake me in the morning so I don't miss my stop. I am sitting on the train-so far alone-but it is a good compartment. Last one on the coach so instead of 4 beds, only 3-on top of me there is no bed which is a pleasant surprise. According to the list the other 2 beds are men, but we will see. I'm all hooked up - my bags in order, the toilet right outside so that is also easy during the night-and by 5 AM I should be in Kodaikanal Road and 3 hours later up in my guesthouse.
Rita prepared food for me-she wanted to give me more but I just ate a big dinner and only need for the morning- I have an apple and 3 parathas and will be at the guesthouse for breakfast anyway (if I had known what awaited me at the guesthouse...I would have held onto the extra paratha which I so generously gave to the taxi driver on the way up!)
On saying goodbye to everyone-Ravin's father could not let go of my hand and it was a difficult parting (Ramesh passed away about a year later from his kidney problem…very sad)-Rita,who could not hug me as I am used to, nevertheless held me close for a minute and began to cry. Again I held her and tried to do my best to reassure her that all would b well. And Indra, the maid, who I gave 100 rps earlier and she was most pleased - came out specially to say goodbye and the smile on her face and her holding my hands was quite touching for me. She said "go and come back soon". It was hard leaving. but I am now on the next leg of my journey and I am sure many wonderful things await me.
Good night for now although I don't know how well I will sleep with strange men here. One is already sitting opposite me and I think he is even more uncomfortable than I am about sitting across from a strange women, white at that...He is definitely making every effort possible to avoid eye contact so I will not initiate any dialogue unless I get some sign from him.
I have already been given a pillow and blanket and nowreceived a package in a paper bag which says:WISH YOU HAPPY JOURNEY-SOUTHERN RAILWAY. 1. THIS PACKET CONTAINES 2 BED SHEETS AND ONE TOWEL 2. THIS LINEN WAS WASHED IN A POWER LAUNDRY 3.IF YOU FIND ANY BEDROLL ITEM IN TATTERED, TORN,STAINED AND OR EMITTING ANY FOUL SMELL PLEASE ASK THEBED ROLL ATTENDANT TO REPLACE THE SAME.
The rest of my notes for this journal were written in indecipherable chicken scrawl while traveling along REAL Indian roads up a winding twisting road which instead of snaking once in awhile during turns, was a continuous snake which straightened out every once in a while...so I will decipher them when I have more patience as there were some interesting observations along the way I want to share with you
That's it for this entry...will try one or 2 more yet.Thanks to all those who sent me support this morning...it is most appreciated....
posted by Jane @ 11:21 PM
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