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Published: August 21st 2007
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After an exhausting trip of roughly two days (I think, this whole time difference thing makes absolutely NO sense to me) we finally arrived in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA! The end of the flight was a rocky one and on descent we hit some pretty major turbulence and at one point I was actually lifted from my seat for a few moments of free fall. Not going to lie; I definitely screamed. My ears, fine on the flirst flight, gave me some problems in the second descent, but were manageable.
Upon arriving at Ana International Airport in Chennai (Madras), the humidity was immediately perceptible and warmly welcomed after our frigid 10 hour flight from Paris. We were hustled by the throngs of passengers through immigration and customs, where surly men officiated over our passports and baggage with cold, calculated bureaucratic efficiency. We made our way out into the night to the waiting hoards of auto drivers, and others meeting arriving passengers. I felt a little bit like The Beatles or some other popular dignitary as we made our way along the passage lined with barricaddes, austensibley there to maintain some order and distinction between those arriving, those waiting and those
Sangeev & Shiva
They dirve on the wrong side here! But I didn't even notice for awhile because I was so preoccupied with the INSANE roads and traffic. loitering. Those waiting were present in large numbers and were pressed against the barricades like cattle, shouting, jostling and exuding a high frequency of energentic vibration.
We found Sangeev (Abi's future husband) - or he found us rather - and we stood making decisions about accommodations for awhile. While this all went on (in Tamil, of course - Laltha, Abi's Ama (Mum) assures me I will learn the language shortly) I spied a pair of backpackers, of Chinese descent, being accosted by hungry auto drivers all vying for their fare. As the backpackers waffled on being utterly clear in their conviction that they did not need a ride, they attracted more auto drivers, looking to score on these fresh arrivals. Sending these two well-wishes, I turned to our own hired car to make our way from the airport.
Leaving the airport, we made our way along narrow roads, with no lines, no defined order. By far the craziest car ride I have ever experienced, I was happy to be trusting of our able driver, Shiva, who navigated with assured confidence among the chaos. It was almost 1:30am local time at this point, and I was surprised at the derth of activity on the streets. Here and there you would see a group of men, walking, standing, smoking, or stooping in a doorway. Not a woman was to be seen anywhere and Abi told me that women seldom venture out so late at night and never without a male escort. Our only other company on the deserted streets were stray dogs, picking among the rubbish and howling mournfully at their wretched existence.
A fire earlier in the evening at the hotel we were supposed to stay at made it so that we had to find alternate accommodations. This equated to us spending a 'Cinderella' night at an upscale hotel called the Quality Hotel. This was quite ironic after having prepared myself for roughing it in India.
My first sleep in India was good but brief and I fell asleep with the dawning realization that I am here and will be for another 4 1/2 weeks! Bernard, you were right (as per usual😊 this does seem like a much longer time now that I am here... but I am happy still!
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bernard
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Loving the updates keep em coming