Temple tour-2: On road to Srirangam

Maybe there are better ways, but we did the temples in and around Trichy in taxi - an Ambassador. We were five, which meant two of us had to share the front seat with the driver.
The choice for sharing the cramped front-seat fell on Baby and Raghu. Presumably, because Raghu, who has been under a special diet regime, has thinned out perceptibly in recent weeks. Beside, I wonder if they, as grand-parents, find very many occasions nowadays to be seated so close together.

Hiring tourist taxi in Trichy, like most other places, calls for negotiating skill. Our driver demanded Rs.750 for a six-hour hire, during which he would do 50 km. Every excess km. would be billed Rs.5 ; and,if the taxi is retained beyond seven hours, you pay for another six-hour segment. We hired him; so much for my negotiating skill.
On our way to Srirangam we got held up at a level crossing close to the railway station. Wonder how many pilgrims travel by train to this temple town. But a lot more of them using the road get held up at this level crossing. While waiting for the gate to open we witnessed a bout of domestic violence, involving two men and a woman, at a slum close to the railway crossing.

The incident was witnessed by a captive audience at the closed railway crossing. I joined others in the crowd in shouting at them to break it up, threatening to call the police, if they didn't. It didn't work. Nor did my threat to take a picture, in the hope that this would shame them into stopping their fight.
I took this picture, and moved on as the railway gate re-opened for road traffic. The photo prompted me to blog on domestic violence in another forum. Traffic hold-up at railway crossings help us get a glimpse of life around, if we pause to look around.

At another, quieter level crosssing, on way to Gunaseelam, an aged village cobbler is seen stretching it out. Apparantly,he doen't get very many customers. The likes of him face life-long recession;and they don't complain.
The lady in blue is the railway employee manning this level-crossing. I had never met a woman gate-keeper, though I had seen women employees at wayside stations. When I mentioned this the lady said she has been in railway service for 12 years. Asked if i could take her picture, the lady gate-keeper blushed and sat upright for the camera.
No such thing as over-taking on this bridge over Colladum river.The one ahead,be it a man or beast, has the right of way on this single-lane passage.