Niceness - Blogabond

Left Varkala with some disappointment this morning (not just caused by the Swedes) for another long drive. Headed for Cape Comorin, which is the most southerly point in India. Lonely Planet says it's the Blackpool of India, but there was no rollercoaster, no knotted hankies, no donkeys and no penny arcades. Most disappointing. Not even a big plaque saying "this is the most southerly point in India", so couldn't even take the obligatory photo. Well I did, and will just have to photoshop a sign in later.

Anyway, we had the option of overnighting there or rolling on to Madurai, and the group took about 5 minutes to agree that we'd rather spend a night in Basra than Cape Comorin, so on we went.

It's tempting in India to reckon that everyone just wants to extort rupees out of you, but actually there is an underlying friendliness to the people here. We got into Madurai at 7pm without having booked ahead, and the first couple of hotels were fully booked. I explained our predicament to a local guy who first offered directions to a couple of hotels, then offered to get in the truck and come with us. While on board he phoned a couple of his mates and got them on the case, calling and visiting various hotels to see if they had room. After a while he decided it was impractical to be driving the big truck around the narrow streets, so told us to park up while he went off scouting on a motorbike. 20 mins later he returned and led us to a perfectly acceptable hotel. And was there again in the morning to take a couple of our group round the local temple. And didn't want any payment. What a man. This one's for you Charles.

written by

phileasdogg on October 18, 2008 from Madurai, India

from the travel blog: Planes, Trains & Taxiwallahs

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