the beach

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Although there are many things the same about the beach here, near the city, there are some notable differences. Although it is hot outside and the water in the Bay of Bengal is warm everyone is walking on the beach fully dressed. It doesn't stop them from playing in the water and taking their children out to jump the waves. Of corse the cows and stray dogs all come to sleep on the warm sand and there are venders walking along ringing bells and selling shells, fresh roasted peanuts and jewelry. As the day progresses fully loaded carts of hot food are wheeled out on the sand to sell. There are also the beggers who see "white guys" and hurry up to us. We are getting pretty skilled at dodging the ones who look like they got dressed in rags for the day to earn some spare change. Along the parking lot there are multiple games of cricket being played by men and boys of all ages. Our driver says that the appeal of cricket is that it takes no athletic skill but is actually a game of luck. Along with the venders are small carnival rides that fit on a push cart that are turned with a hand crank, there is a ferris wheel and a ring of cars that each can hold 4 small children. They have large wooden painted boats that go out fishing with nets in the morning. In the evening they are hauled up on the sand and the people sit on them to hang out while the fish are sold fresh on the street. All in all an interesting way to spend an afternoon here. We will add some photos when we get home. We take the train back to Bangalore today to meet up with some of our group, then a middle of the night flight to Paris and on to home. We have to be at the airport 4 hours early because all international flights leave at the same time and there is only one bag screening station and check in desk. Jenny

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Photos

beach rides
4 chair, hand crank ferris wheel