While we're out sightseeing a floral arrangement appears in the bedroom. Chrysanthemums on top, a bit of palm frond for a tail and some white, soft , wispy material as a base. '' Quite remarkable " says ' the font ' once the shock of discovery has worn off. The front desk clerk asks if we like it. We lie.
Our last dinner in Chennai.Time to order a 'flavourful' curry.' Angus attracted by the word 'Yetti '. 'The font 'wonders aloud if it might be too spicey. Angus replies along the lines of ' how spicey can a prawn curry be ? '.Two mouthfuls later he knows. Was the clue in the word ' flavourful ', ' chillies ' or ' spices ? ' The loss of vision is temporary.
The small print at the botttom of the winelist - All prices are inclusive of 62.94% government taxes . '' This is a Christian country " says the wine waiter by half hearted way of explanation. This answer is, to say the least, puzzling on so many different levels. There'd be a revolution in Scotland if they ever try to tax booze at those rates.
Up at four. At the airport at five . We hand over our pre-printed boarding passes. '' Your flight is cancelled . Go to the ticket desk for a refund " says the Air India check in clerk with a rudeness that only employees of government owned airlines can muster. The ticket desk is closed. We peer through the windows. There is a man asleep on the floor and another asleep on the counter.
Who would have thought Air India was an operator of Boeing 787's ? They've all been grounded. Our flight is cancelled. The idea of finding a replacement aircraft inconceivable. The man at the check in desk tells us there may be another flight tomorrow. Time to buy tickets on another airline.
Ever met a Ryanair employee?
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "bunt" speciality? For a moment I thought it said, "burnt".
ReplyDeleteSeems Bunts are Tulu speaking folk who live in Mangalore. Their style of cooking is apparently famous all over India. Anyway, that's what I was told by the waiter. Whether his answer makes any sense or is correct is another matter .
DeleteLaughed my way through the entire post. Trouble picking the funniest bit but the floral tribute on what is no doubt a yeti skin would be hard to beat. Only disappointment is that you didn't share what the Font had to say about the staff of the Air India office.
ReplyDeleteAngus, I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts about your trip! But I have to admit, that at first I thought the flower arrangement was a cat...
ReplyDeleteThat floral arrangement should have given you an inkling of what was in store for you. If I didn't know any better, I would say that was the Yetti itself, but I guess it represents the national bird of India, the peacock. The white wispy material surely must be its nest.
ReplyDeleteA hilarious installment. What surprises me most about the liquor tax is the .94%...Did they thing rounding it up to 64% would put it beyond the pale?
ReplyDeletewonder why every flight was cancelled. were the planes broken? or the weather monsoony?
ReplyDeletethis is better than traveling with inspector clouseau!
The flower arrangement looks as though it is arranged on a flattened Maltese. And the sleeping man! Crazy place!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe title of your post should have prepared me. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, what an adventure!
ReplyDeleteThey tried with the floral arrangement. Now Angus, just remember,we shouldn't go abroad and expect to find things exactly like home. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you made it home! That floral arrangement was "bizarre" to say the least.
ReplyDelete