The Equilateral Triangle Zone

The Bermuda Triangle as we all know is that mysterious area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and planes enter, but are then lost forever.
I have entered the Equilateral Triangle Zone. No matter where we try and go, it takes on hour.
From the airport to the Temple Bay Resort hotel is one hour
From the hotel to the Plant is one hour
From the hotel to Marty’s hotel* is one hour
From Marty’s hotel to my hotel is one hour.
From either of those hotels to Chennai City is one hour

So apparently any of leg of any direction of travel must all be the same length, thus an Equilateral Triangle (can’t wait for engineering nerd son to comment on that conclusion).

But there is more to it. Much like the Bermuda Triangle where strange, weird, and other inexplicable things occur; the same happens here. Roads with no lane markings. It’s OK to drive on either side of the road. Everybody just drives and walks wherever they want to (Photos just don’t do it any justice, trust me on that).

And then there is the train crossing.

The train crossing occurs about halfway to the plant in the little suburb area of Chingleput. A 2 lane road (one lane each direction) which means there are about 3 lanes of cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians moving in each direction. The road last saw new pavement maybe 25 years ago. There is a slight bend in the road. No sidewalk, but shops and stores along both sides. And right in the middle of all this is a little man under a covered roof staffing the manual crank crossing rail barricade bar. Our USA team here calls him “Mr. Itchy Fingers”. He knows when the train is coming. The people know when the train is coming. And everybody is trying to get across the tracks before Mr. Itchy Fingers drops the gate. And you can tell by those twitching fingers he is excited to run the crank. Finally, the big moment and he lowers the bar. All traffic stops and the train comes rumbling by. Now you think that I’m about to tell you that while the view across the tracks is blocked, everybody on each side is completely spreading out across the 2 lanes in anticipation of the train passing and gate raising moment. And you would be correct! That is exactly what happens.

And then the train is passed and the gate raises two lanes of people are staring at each other with nowhere to go because both lanes are full of people trying to travel in opposite directions. So 10 minutes are wasted trying to undue this chaos and everybody trying to squeeze past each other and keep on moving. Meanwhile, Mr. Itchy Fingers is just sitting in his hut doing the evil villain laugh to himself while idly waiting until the next train arrives. It seems the Equilateral Triangle effect occurs every hour or so.  This is fun. I can ride shotgun everyday and be fully entertained.

The other effect of the Equilateral Triangle zone is that is has sucked in not one, but two Mercers into its gulf.  My brother Marty is here in Chennai at the exact same time.  Nothing planned, it .. just ... happened. 

He is at a different hotel, but is only an hour away form mine and he and I and others will join for dinner tonight, Wednesday (Queue the eery mystical music now).  * For those curious types, read about his adventures in Global traveling by checking out www.martymercer.com/news.

And finally, my own personal satisfaction with the Triangle.  My breakfast included what I am goiing to call ... Indian Grits!!  Looked and tasted just like grits.  I need to learn the official local name, but these were grits.

So I am definitely a happy camper.

Strange things are a-brewing, so look out for the Triangle. You never what lies ahead of the next curve, twist, or bend!