Back at the beach - the other side

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Hi Mom - thanks for the message. Hello everyone! Tiruvannamalai was great - we did make it to the top of the mountain - it was the hardest hike I've done in a long time, and actually the top was a bit disapointing - the rocks were black and polluted from all the candles and oil that has been burned there. We couldn't stay for the full moon, because the rooms were double in price, and we decided to move on. (I herd it was a little chaotic and you couldn't even get near the temple that night because it was so crowded.) My only regret is that I didn't contact this teacher I met the first night there - he was going to show me the new Montesorri school there - but it just didn't work out. So we hopped on three different busses, changing in little towns that were off the map, and we made it to Mamallapuram. We are still in Tamil Nadu - on the beach - on the Bay of Bengal. It is a bit touristy, but you can get out of the tourist sceen just by walking to the fishing village or down the beach a ways. The ocean is a little rougher here, but still nice. There are lots of old temple ruins and amazing stone/rock carvings - it is a historical site because of this. There is one big park in the middle of town where you can wander around and look at all of this and climb on the big rocks to watch the sunset (it sets over the rice feilds which is really pretty). There are also some orphanages right in towm - we visited one yesterday, and played with the kids in the park. The people here(locals) have definitely been affected by all the tourism and money coming in. There are a lot of older European tourists with a lot of money to spend. So not only do the people hassel you to buy things a ll the time, but they are really sneaky and crafty about it. They often try to invite you into their homes and feed you - seeming sincere (as many Indian people are), then they proceed to tell you sob stories and ask for something. They family down stairs in our guest house invited Andrea in - then took her to a shop where she was put in an uncomfortable position and expected to but a sari for the mom. But she stood her ground, and it all worked out fine. We are leaving tomorrow for a 28 hr. train ride from Chennai to Kolkuta, where we spen a day and then fly to Bangkok! (and we could have flown from here for just as cheap if we got our tickets here - you live and learn). I'm getting sad to leave India and all its sights and sounds and tastes - I just went on a search for idlis(fermented rice and lentil cakes - steamed and server with sauce and chutney) - it was the wrong time for that, but I filled my belly with other authentic southern India treats - yum! Love to all, Laura

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