Frustration

Frustration
28th May
Well it has been that. Came back from Mamallapuram to get to the shipping agent by 9.30, he took my passport then said we might as well go back to the hotel until he hears from the customs. Of course we didn't get a phone call
Still, we had a couple of positives: finding a bank that accepted Flexicard Plus which meant we can access the account where our holiday funds were, and finding a shop where we could buy a gas cylinder to attach to our cooker. We had to leave our cylinder behind as it was a fire hazard on board ship.
Methylated spirits is the fuel we use for the normal cookers in the van. Before leaving I checked on the internet to see if it was available in India, it seemed to be, but on enquiring once we arrived found it was restricted to the medical profession. It seems to have been a popular drink with the alcoholics over here. The last place we tried said that that was the case in this state, Tamil Nadu, but should be available in other states. It's things like that you take for granted in your own country, being able to by something like meths.
You may think I spend l my time writing for my blogspot. Not so. I have my laptop with me and write what I want to say at some time during the day, copy it on to a memory card then plug that in when I get to a connection and transfer it to my blog. Now I'm getting the hang of it, the time involved is not great., Fills in time while waiting for the van to be cleared.
A couple of observations we have made since arriving though it mightn't be the case all over the country: the burgeoning middle class. Even when we were here 7 years ago it didn't seem so large, now the standard of living has risen, the variety of goods offered are expanding, the hotel eating places are filled with locals who seem to eat twice as much as ourselves, even the faithful Ambassador is now in a minority with small Hyundais, Suzukis and Hondas the preferred option of the middle class.
We see very few locals smoking. The government have put into place strict laws about smoking for civil servants with fines being handed out for 'scoundrels' who persist. Not sure on the rest of population but it is very noticeable.
The variety and hygiene of the food is much improved. Again I would say due to the middle class explosion. The Indian food is fantastic with that from the southern states still quite spicy but, although, thank goodness, we haven't seen any Macca's, there are other shops for western tastes. You can get sick of the local tucker after a while. Now there is a choice.
29th May.
After spending 4 hours waiting in the agent's office we were told, the customs formalities have been completed but the Director of Customs was at a conference and couldn't sign the clearance. We hope tomorrow morning is the day.