Incredible India 2

The plane landed in Chennai and my concerns and fears grew giant. Will she be there? How will she look like? What will she say first?

Of course she was there, and she looked very nice, and I don't remember what did she say first...

We had a long way to Pondicherry by bus, the fellow passangers were sleeping, the seats were uncomfortable, it was very drafty and I had my big bag on my laps.... and Raquel next to me... the best part of my journey to India...

On Thursday we had a free day, so we woke up late and went to Pondicherry - we live in the outskirts - the center is 25-20 minutes by bus. My first impressins were mixed: interesting and attractive with all it's dirt, heat, noise, and man-made chaos.

On Friday we went to a tour around the area my project is operating. The group consisted of a nice Ambassador car, four strange Tamils, Raquel and me. We arrived in the first village after one and a half hour. The locals surrounded us immediately, they got chairs for Raquel and me, stood around us and stared at us. This procedure repeated several times during that day, and it is quite general, the white guys have to sit, they get the food first etc.

Then one of the guy with us told me: "Now You ask." Well, I was the main attraction so I had to speak. Of course I had no clue about anything so my questions were rather childish and naive - I'm afraid. But village by village I gained some routine... All in all, it was quite embarassing apart from the funny side.

Next day we visited some of Raquel's students in their home villages. One thing to mention: Raquel has some Indian clothes, dark hair and eyes, and... well, her height is that of an average Tamil's. BUT.... I am big and blond... well... a stranger from very far, smiling like and idiot and repeating: "Vanakamm, I'm Peter." Panem et circens sounds the old wisdom. I am here rather because of the bread part but I have had more success so far in the circus business :-(

We got coconut straight from the tree, very tasty juice and then they cut in half so You can get the fruit itself. I saw rice and sugar cane fields, a whole family of five on one motorbike and volleyball court next to a Hindu temple, occupied by monkeys, cows and dogs. I had a little insight in the life of the locals, I could see how poor many of them are, but I saw also their willingness to enjoy life and I relly respect them for it. It was a very nice Saturday with lots of food, new people and fun... I felt related, and touched by the genuine kindness of those people and the beauty of the countryside. I arrived to India...