We spent the first part of the evening trudging around like turtles with our massive rucksacs, and meeting "sorry , full" signs at every place. Argh, I was ready to sleep on the street, so long as it meant I could put my bag down. Finally, we were truly blessed when we happened upon the ashram I had wanted to stay in originally. The gods smiled on us, and we were lead to a massive massive room of our own with seperate toilet, shower, living area, and two balconies that faced the sea. For only about $6 ea a night! :) It was so beautifully serene, with the sound of the waves and a beautiful shady garden to sit and write in.
Pondicherry was a lovely little town too, quite unlike what we will see in the rest of India i think... it was full of the vestiges of any french colony - walled gardens and terraced houses. Oh and the colours mum, you would love it - they are all so bright and yet nothing seems garish or mismatched. I can't wait to come to India with you to discover it all again. We can dress in crazily bright Salwars and stand in front of these walls for photos.
Steph was quite pleased with Pondi too, as it meant she could eat French food - crepes and toast for breakfast every morning. I think she's not too keen on curries, the mad girl. As for me, I'm loving the thalis, and spicy food everywhere. The chai is like nothing I've ever had in Australia, although sickeningly sweet (yes, even for me). The vendors look at me like I'm a bit crazy when I ask for it without sugar. On the streets it is constantly bubbling away in huge vats of milk and spices, and comes served in teeny little plastic cups with about 3 spoonfulls of sugar. My only other complaint with the food would be that I want more fruit and veggies (you know me!), but oh well. I figure I can always stock back up on that stuff when I come home.
I've been reading the book, the city of joy while i'm here, and while its making me cry every 3 pages it give such a good insight into the world of those here in this country that struggle to survive. There haven't been too many beggars so far, but I think it will be much worse in the North of India. I have given to a few, but overall just say 'sorry, no' and then ignore them. It makes me feel really heartless and cruel, but I don't really know what else to do. Otherwise it would get too overwhelming.
Upon waking to our second day in Pondi we all looked as though we had gone about 30 rounds in our sleep. As fate would have it, the one downside of an ashram next to the beach was the killer mosquitoes that had savaged us in the night. I slept through it all, but steph and aaron said they tossed and turned all night. Still, the swollen lip and puffy eye was enough to launch me out on a mission to buy candy coloured mosquito nets and odomos insect repellant. Now its like i'm sleeping in a cloud of blue fairy floss..
Holy moly travelling with three people is slow going - we all mess around soo much in the morning. Luckily my mediation is helping me cultivate more patience i think.
Pondicherry passed buy in a haze of heratige walks and lazy afternoons writing on the beach or in the gardens of the ashram. No yoga as yet - the others really don't seem all that keen. :(
We kept seeing amazingly bright and intricate chalk patterns drawn on the pavement in front of houses. I'm not 100% sure, but I think they are to welcome the new year and bring luck and joy to a house. Its a really lovely tradition I think. There is lots about India that I am finding charming, but slighly confusing. On the beach one day I was surrounded by a bunch of bright, giggly Indian girls in saris, who tried to explain to me with a total lack of english why they were pointing. It turned out that my single toe ring was hilarious, as they all had three or more, but I don't know exactly why... any ideas? I'm going to have to put it on the list of confusing India questions..
