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Back in Mysore, we went to a "package-wallah". He's the guy who helps you pack and send stuff - and woe betide those who try to do it without his help.

This particular PW has a small plein-air "office" in an alleyway near the main post office. Surrounding him are the tools of his trade -- cardboard, newspaper, tape, pens -- and the all-important white cotton fabric with needle and thread. Every package has to be wrapped this way.

It took him over an hour to carefully wrap and tape one box. Then he precisely cut and sewed a cotton muslin cloth around the package and topped that off with smears of sealing wax on the stitching.

He went with us into the post office. There was a large crowd but our PW has friends in the "back room" so we were in and out quickly. (Could you imagine, say, FedEx, working this way?)