IPL

The Indian Premier League (Cricket) has been running for a month now and of course I am supporting the Chennai Super Kings!! (Dhoni! Dhoni! Dhoni!)

It's the make or break match tonight against Deccan Chargers. CSK have to win to make the semi finals.

UPDATE: CSK lost on the last ball of the match! For a full match report see here

I've told my friends about the blog now

This is a quick message to say hi to any of my friends/family who are visiting the blog for the first time. Up until now I have just started out trying to figure out what to write. But I guess eventually I have to have an audience rather than write purely for myself.

Visiting Family

This weekend I visited my family in Kerala (just outside Thrissur(Trichur)). The excuse for the trip was my cousins daughters "choroonu" which is the first time she eats rice. It was good to see several people that I hadn't seen for a long time.

I went by train (Trivandrum Mail) on Friday night, arriving in Thrissur at 5am on Saturday morning. Got picked up by my uncle inmy dads car and went to Peruvanam. I do feel at home in my Dad's house there, even though my mum and dad aren't actually there at the moment. Although I slept there, most of my time was spent at my grandmothers house just 5 minutes walk away.

Saturday was pretty busy with the function at my aunt and uncles place a few kms away. Made use of my dads car which otherwise just sits in the garage while he is in the UK. Lots of my cousins ahave small kids now. It's good to have a play with them, especially as I'm missing my own kids so much.

Spent sunday mostly at my grandmothers place, but also checking things at my dads house. It's a really quiet relaxing village. Here is where it is:

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You can zoom out to see exactly where it is.

Spent the rest of Sunday just relaxing with everyone at home. It was kind of strange just coming to see everyone for the weekend. Normally visiting Peruvanam is a planned 2-3 week trip from the UK including many other visits.

I travelled by train in the 3 tier A/C sleeper car (meaning there are 3 rows of beds the middle one of which folds to let people sit during the day). It's comfortable enough, but a bit tiring as I tend to wake up every time the train stops at a station. It was strang reaching Thrichur station as I didn't recognise the place. It has had a major refurbishment since I last went there.

Travel

Most people around here do not seem to rate Chennai public transport very highly. I admit it is not up to Londons standards, but I don't think it is too bad. Since I got my flat, I have been getting the bus to work in the mornings, which has been fairly comfortable (although I do leave home at 7.15am to avoid crowds and heat).

I have pointed out to a few of my colleagues that there is bus route information freely available on the MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) website. And one thing is certainly true, bus and train travel is cheap.

I admit that I have been using a lot of Auto-rickshaws which has been more expensive, but I will probably buy a car soon. The auto drivers are pretty mad though, dodging in and out of the traffic. But they seem to get to your destination in one piece. The only other issue with them is payment. In Chennai it is illegal for the auto's not to have a meter, but I am yet to see one that has been turned on. The basic aim is to agree the price before the journey, otherwise there will be an almighty argument at the end of it!

I think driving will be OK, although the only problem might be if I am involved in any accident, I would struggle with not understanding Tamil.

Getting a gas connection

Me: I would like a new gas connection please.
Gas rep: Do you have a ration card?
**a ration card is something that allows residents of India to buy staple goods at a subsidised price. There is no hope of me getting one for at least several months.**
Me: No
Gas rep: I can sell you a private cylinder for Rs1200 <4 times the subsidised price!>
Me: erm...

Luckily Bharat Gas are doing a promotion where they will give a gas cylinder at the government rate if you pay Rs7000 up front. For that price we also get a gas cooker (2 rings), a mixi, a pressure cooker and an iron. Quality wasn't too bad either (not that I had much choice :-)