A sad farewell and the final new beginning - Chennai


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Asia » India » Tamil Nadu » Chennai
March 1st 2012
Published: March 11th 2012
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The drive from Mallaparum to Chennai was not a particularly long one, but we had left early as the truck needed repair work done on it in a garage in Chennai and thus needed to get there as early as possible. This normally would have been fine, but given that we were (most of us anyway) hideously hungover from the previous nights farewell party, an early start was most unwelcome. Already this was starting to be a bad day. Today was always destined to be a sad/bad day however as it was leaving day for many great people whom I had come to know and love. Today we would be saying a sad farewell to the legends that are Sally, Sarah, Bill, Carol, Colin, Marge and Luciana, as well as my very good friends Peter (room buddy for 6 weeks) and Sonia. Upon arrival however my mood was picked considerably by news that Chennai had an American Dinner which served bacon and sausage for breakfast, get me a tuk tuk immediately, I’m there! It took around 10 mins to get us from the hotel to the dinner, although this felt much longer with the heavy weight of anticipation hanging over us. After 10 torturous minutes we arrived, upon arrival I jumped out of the tuk tuk and excitedly ran to the entrance of the dinner, hooray it was bacon and sausage time! With great anticipation I went to open the entrance to the dinner only to then be confronted with the grey shutters of despair, OH NO! The dinner was closed and the lack of human activity inside and out made it look like it wasn’t opening any time soon. Dejected and secretly very close to tears I/we decided we would come back later for dinner and head to KFC instead for breakfast (because you can’t beat 3 pieces of greasy fried chicken at 10.30am, unless it’s 3 pieces of greasy bacon and sausage of course).

I literally did nothing in Chennai, I did not go to explore the sights, I did not go to any museums, I did not go shopping, hell I didn’t even go for lunch. There is apparently little to see in Chennai (not that I could tell you if there was anyway) and to be honest after several days on the go and the previous nights heavy partying, I was keen to have some time to just sit around, sleep and indulge in some much needed slothfulness.

At 17.00 it was time to say goodbye to my very good buddy Sonia, it was an emotional farewell and we were all (myself in particular) sad to see her leave. Sonia I wish you the best of luck in your exam, you are being missed. Shortly after Sonia’s departure it was time for our pre departure meeting with the new people who were joining in Chennai. I hate it when a leg finishes and a new one starts, firstly and perhaps most obviously because you tend to lose people who have become really good friends, in this instance two of my closest and some mighty fine others. Secondly though I hate it because you have to meet new people and I’m always scarred that the new people will be complete assholes and will hate me. I’m not really sure where this fear comes from as on each occasion the new group members have been really great and within 48 hours (or less with beer) we are getting on like old friends. However it is a problem that plagues me and I do find it a real shame that I tend to view the thought of meeting people I don’t know with negativity and dread, which in itself is strange as I tend to get along with most people at least reasonably well. Anyway I’ll save the psycho analysis for a professional when I have a break down in later life..... Peter made a poignant and valid observation saying that he felt sorry for the new people joining in Chennai as they would have to try and blend into a group of people who had known each other for up to 8 weeks (6 weeks in my case). That certainly put things into perspective and made me realise that my concerns and worries were not only trivial but also rather self indulgent. As it turns out (as it always does) the new people were great, we had an English couple, a solo female traveller from Norway, a scots man (better not say British), a Australian gentleman and two English men join us. Once again I was the only bloke under 40 on the truck, however I wasn’t to bothered by this as I had come to realise in recent weeks that being the only young male on a truck full of interesting and beautiful girls isn’t too bad at all <span>:-)

After the pre departure meeting we met with the remaining people from the last leg and headed off for our final supper. Once again we headed towards Sparky’s American Dinner only this time we were really, really hungry and really, really looking forward to a burger. I won’t beat around the bush. Yes, once again it was ******* closed. Oh great. As it turns out Sparky’s had been closed down for 2 weeks and would be closed for another 2 weeks for renovations. There were accusations made within the group that the tuk tuk drivers knew Sparky’s was closed but took us anyway so that they could make a fare. Whether this is true or not I cannot tell you, I can tell you however that the tuk tuk drivers did make a double fare as upon finding Sparky’s was closed we headed straight back to a restaurant on the same road as our hotel, make of that what you will. We did eventually get some food and very good it was too, unfortunately we were all a little terse after the Sparky’s experience and perhaps also because our restaurant of choice did not sell beer. As such, our farewell meal was not perhaps as jovial as well had all hoped, still it was a great meal and it was nice to spend some time together before the inevitable sad goodbyes. My final goodbye of the day and perhaps the most poignant was to my ex room buddy Peter. We had become close over the past 6 weeks and formed a perhaps surprisingly close friendship, something I’m sure neither of us would have anticipated on day one. For me it had been a real education learning that age does not necessarily have to define your personality and outlook on life. Peter is as sharp, witty, carefree and up for it as anyone I know of my own age and was often much more up for doing/trying things than the ‘younger’ people on the tour. Peter I hope you are enjoying smoking your Cuban cigars at your free will and I hope plans for your summer of sailing are progressing well. I look forward to joining you in the Adriatic for a stint in 2013 if I don’t see you sooner.

Tomorrow we would be heading for Tirupati to visit the temple of Lord Venkateshwara, the busiest and richest temple in India (supposedly).....

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14th March 2012

Au Revoir
I really enjoy reading your Blogs Mark. The personal accounts like the haircut and shave and the look and smell and taste of places is so vivid because you are in the time and detail. When you have made close friendships and it is time for a sad parting, remember what the Froggies say . "au revoir " not goodbye ,and I think they have it right. Friendships , based upon shared experiences ,survive the parting and the passage of time ,and who knows when you may meet again.
4th April 2012

Awww, this blog was really sweet:) I'm glad a surprised you guys and came back for another month... I had the most amazing time with you! My 2nd goodbye to you was definitely way harder:( I hope we meet again!
17th October 2012

Sparky's Shutters
The Spark's chef - Thom Petty, late in December, lost his battle to cancer. Then, there were ownership issues. Just saw a Facebook post by one of my friends who says it is to open soon again.
5th December 2012

Sorry to hear about the owner of Sparks, that's sad news.
5th December 2012

Sparky's even

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