Ponderous in Pondicherry
Hi everyone,
Sorry we've taken so long to post... and our postings have been so brief (and sorely lacking in photos). The internet gods are consipring against us, and the reality is that we simply haven't been able to get online so easily. Ironically, it was much easier when I was last here 4 years ago...!
We've just arrived in Pondicherry, midway up the eastern coast of India in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Pondicherry (or Puducherry, Pondy, and perhaps other names as well) was one of several French colonies from the 18th century, and just reverted back to local rule within the last 50 years. Unlike most Indian cities, this one is relatively quiet, with wide, tree-lined streets and a beautiful oceanside prominade. The residual colonial feel still pervades this place, and it already feels like a haven of calm for weary travelers. It's no surprise that it's a hotspot on the traveler's circuit, and we've seen more Westerners here in 30 minutes than in the rest of India.
We're staying at a guesthouse run by the Sri Aurobindo ashram, and our 2nd story room has a balcony overlooking a beautiful garden adjacent to the ocean. The breeze and the sounds of the waves floats gently into our open window, soothing and sweet.
Ian and I shared a lovely meal last night -- a couple of different dosas and something called appam -- a sort of crepe served with sweet coconut milk and pea curry... delicious. Then I had a chai, and was throwing up about 4 hours later. I suspect the chai, as it was the only unique thing I had in the meal (Ian and I shared everything else). But, I'm returning to normal, and life goes on.
We're sitting in a hip, western-ish cafe called Coffe.com, and the sign on the wall says 'wireless available'. If this is true, we'll be able to post some new stories and photos that we've been saving up on the laptop. Check back in a few days...
We'll be staying here for two days (maybe 3, it's really restful here!), then meeting up with a friend in Chennai. After that we'll wind our way back to Kerala over a few days time, stopping off at Sri Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvanamalai, and possibly a day in Ooty, a 'hill station' that sounds pretty interesting. We'll be metting up with my friend Harilal in Keralal for some elephant and firework festivals, and local Keralan life.
Love from the road,
Mark, Lenka and Ian
Sorry we've taken so long to post... and our postings have been so brief (and sorely lacking in photos). The internet gods are consipring against us, and the reality is that we simply haven't been able to get online so easily. Ironically, it was much easier when I was last here 4 years ago...!
We've just arrived in Pondicherry, midway up the eastern coast of India in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Pondicherry (or Puducherry, Pondy, and perhaps other names as well) was one of several French colonies from the 18th century, and just reverted back to local rule within the last 50 years. Unlike most Indian cities, this one is relatively quiet, with wide, tree-lined streets and a beautiful oceanside prominade. The residual colonial feel still pervades this place, and it already feels like a haven of calm for weary travelers. It's no surprise that it's a hotspot on the traveler's circuit, and we've seen more Westerners here in 30 minutes than in the rest of India.
We're staying at a guesthouse run by the Sri Aurobindo ashram, and our 2nd story room has a balcony overlooking a beautiful garden adjacent to the ocean. The breeze and the sounds of the waves floats gently into our open window, soothing and sweet.
Ian and I shared a lovely meal last night -- a couple of different dosas and something called appam -- a sort of crepe served with sweet coconut milk and pea curry... delicious. Then I had a chai, and was throwing up about 4 hours later. I suspect the chai, as it was the only unique thing I had in the meal (Ian and I shared everything else). But, I'm returning to normal, and life goes on.
We're sitting in a hip, western-ish cafe called Coffe.com, and the sign on the wall says 'wireless available'. If this is true, we'll be able to post some new stories and photos that we've been saving up on the laptop. Check back in a few days...
We'll be staying here for two days (maybe 3, it's really restful here!), then meeting up with a friend in Chennai. After that we'll wind our way back to Kerala over a few days time, stopping off at Sri Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvanamalai, and possibly a day in Ooty, a 'hill station' that sounds pretty interesting. We'll be metting up with my friend Harilal in Keralal for some elephant and firework festivals, and local Keralan life.
Love from the road,
Mark, Lenka and Ian
posted by Mark and Ian at
3:55 AM
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