Train journeys are well documented in India, they are not to be missed.
^ Xavier on Platform 1 at Kottayam
I was slightly disappointed to find out we were booked on a second class A/C sleeper. I was keen to see everyone sweat it out for a few hours.
^ This guy has a definite Crowe Gladiator vibe going on
^ Train toilets aren’t for the faint hearted, they are brutal
The girls and I ordered a vegetarian thali and unpacked it ready to get stuck in. We folded out the small table and the passenger opposite me pulled out his packed lunch, brought from home.
His was made up of several small banana leaf pockets, all wrapped in one larger banana leaf; rice, vegetables, chutneys, fish fry, buttermilk. He asked me if I wanted to share his fish, I politely said no; however half way through my meal and our ensuing conversation he used his eating hand to place some chill fish fry on my plate, along with some coconut chutney.
I found out later the meal he ate was a traditional travel meal, the recipe is identical each time.
The train vendors are famous for the way they sell their food. They amused Mela for the entire trip, she was convinced they’re just bored going up and down the carriages and that’s led to the nasal drone of the sales pitch. We captured a bit of audio, here’s a mix.
Later on I hung out the train and grabbed some footage of the countryside. It is beautiful in Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu.
