Day 26: Hoboing and beer tower

When we went to the train station in Jerantut at 12:15 am (right when the ticket counter opens) to buy tickets for the 2 am train to Singapore, we were shocked to find out that the train was completely sold out and the next available train wasn't until the next afternoon. After brief contemplation, we decided to pull the blue card (definition: to use your US passport as justification for unlawful actions) and board the train without tickets - thus the title of this entry. Walking through several cars, we realized that the train really was totally full, and there were no empty seats for us non-ticket holding slumdogs (at one point we contemplated riding on the roof). Locals were even sleeping in the luggage compartments.

We noticed an empty table in the dining car and sat down and ordered food for the next 2 hours so they wouldn't kick us out of our seats. To be economical, we would order the two cheapest things on the menu - fried rice and sweet hot dog buns filled with chocolate paste (it was disgusting, but well worth it for the seats). We thought we had outsmarted the system, but eventually the conductor realized that he had yet to check our tickets. When he finally did ask for our tickets, we responded with, "How much?" He didn't like this response. After a small bout of shouting and waving of arms, we convinced him to accept our bribe (only a few dollars more than the cost of the original tickets - we're that good) in exchange for him getting us sleeper seats. We don't know how the beds opened up, but within 10 minutes we had 2 beds to ourselves in the airconditioned sleeper car. Eight hours later, we were awoken by the Singaporean immigration agents opening our curtains and demanding our passports.

Our travel bible suggested we stay in the area of Singapore known as Little India. Let the fact be known that there is nothing little about it - this place is straight up India. In fact, Danny has now crossed India off of his list of places to travel and will soon be adding the country to the "Places I've Been" app on facebook. Ashwin confirms the likeness, and keeps reminiscing about childhood experiences in the real place. We had an authentic southern Indian dinner (we even ordered Paper Masala Dosa - just like Vishali!), and to add to the authenticity we mimicked the locals and ate with nothing but the fingers on our right hands. We can't claim that it wasn't messy.

Given that we were in Singapore on a Saturday night, we decided to make the most of it and headed to the popular nightlife area of Clark Quay. Upon the recommendation of the nice bartender at our hostel, we went to the Pumproom Microbrewery and Club. After the bouncer took our temperatures to make sure we weren't infected with H1N1, we headed to the bar and couldn't resist the house special - a 4 foot tall, 4 liter tower of wheat ale. As you can imagine, this was the start of a great night.

After completing the tower, we met 3 girls at the bar by asking them where they were from. When they told us "Singpore", Ashwin responded with "No really, where are you from?" We still have no idea why he said this - it must have been the tower speaking. We also met 3 old Scottsman who bought us a round of Scottish Ale (this wasn't the last round to be bought for us). When Danny suggested that we all chug the beers, one of the Scotts replied with, "You don't chug Scottish Ale. Coors and Bud are chugging beers" (at least they are useful for something).

When we hit the dancefloor, we quickly became the center of attention, overshadowing the boisterous bachelorette party. One of the girls suggested we go with them to her uncle's bollywood dance club. Given our abilities at rational decision making, we immediately agreed without a second thought. Before departing, to our surprise the girls bought us a round of shots. It turns out, a "bollywood dance club" is like a strip club where the strippers don't actually strip. Instead, belly dancers dance on a stage to hit bollywood music videos while patrons stuff money in their wastebands. The girl's uncle gave us free table service of Absolute vodka and mixers. Ashwin refused to drink any more (his decision making skills were slowly returning). Danny, however, made a different decision and was soon on the stage dancing with the strippers. Surprisingly, he held his own and became a crowd favorite (this is Danny's forte). You will believe this when we show you the video.

Having so much fun, time sure flew by and we didn't make it back to the hostel until 5 in the morning (mind you, the beer tower had commenced at 9 pm).