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Published: March 27th 2010
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I have had requests from friends to update my blog for India, so here is a very quick one!
Pondicherry is as wonderful as I remember it from last year. In fact I was supposed to be going to Ooty but cancelled that so that I could stay longer here.
There are not many photos because I have been too busy doing things, meeting amazing people, reading incredibly inspiring books and meditating. What have I done to deserve this I wonder.
On prompting from friends, once again, I have been keeping a journal, here is my second day in Pondi.
21st March
This is where I wanted to stay last time I was in Pondi but it was full. Now here I am in my sparse but adequate and clean room, with a private bathroom, a wonderful sea view, a ceiling fan, all for 400rp a day, that’s about AU$10. There is also a simple canteen where I had a lovely breakfast of tea, toast, omelet and fresh fruit for under $2 and a lovely lady from Mumbai asked if she could join me and we had a interesting talk together, a pity she was leaving later
in the day. Lunch was a delicious tali platter with rice, chapattis and 4 different vegetarian curries for the same price.
Just had a phone call from Marion a German friend of Peter’s who I met last September. I am invited to dinner at her place with Hari, Petra, Heidi and Giti - wonderful! Pete had sms’ed her to say I had arrived.
I set out to Marion’s early as I wanted to find something to take. I found a little local shop where I bought Cadbury chocolate then wandering on I came across the wine shop where Pete had bought beer before. Although a very male dominated area, they were lovely and invited me in to choose. Having had a bad experience with Indian white I chose a red. It was about $17. I then found M.G. Road, a favorite of mine and bought some bananas, always handy and stood and had a cup of chai and watched life in all its glorious colours. This little stall made it fresh. Furiously boiled up the milk, added the spiced tea and a little sugar, strained it and then threw it from one cup to another until there was
a nice froth on top. It cost me 5rp. and was delicious.
Being a little early for Marion’s I strolled back to the beach and sat on a rock, like lots of others and watched the waves. Strolling along the water front, there is no beach, and watching the sea it a popular pass time for locals, especially at sun set. I then walked to Marion’s, up the steps to the roof and was welcomed like an old friend. We opened the wine and were pleasantly surprised. I must remember to buy the Zinfandel again.
The others arrived and we had a great evening. Marion is going to Kerala in May when I could be going and we may meet up. Otherwise she said that I could have her apartment in Pondi for the month. Then Heidi said that she and a few other Aurovillians are heading to Rishikesh and then on to Nepal in June and would I like to join them.
It is so wonderful how things happen when you are travelling alone and open to others. You can feel so alone in a town where you know so many people yet here in India
people are so much more spontaneous, non-judgmental and welcoming…….I love it!
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