French India

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After a very hippy stay in Mamallapuram,South of Chennai where we stayed in a guesthouse with cold water only, electricity only a few hours a day, filthy bed sheet ( bottom only ) a,materess with holes ( insects?) and blood stains,on the walls...we have moved South to Pondicherry, a French colony in bygone days and are staying in a very pleasant boutique hotel Les Hibiscus with high ceilings,and a four poster bed.

We have had a good dinner with Moni, my friend /driver from Kerala and,his,brother Joseph who will be taking,us,around,for thenext 5 days. The bill came to £11 so that was reasobale for the 4,of,us! Last night we had a,narrow escape when, whilst waiting to be served in,a,restauarant, I ventured,into,the,kitchen,to look for the waiter,and,saw a rat eating,out,of,the,pan,of rice! Needless to saywe,picked,up our belongings and ran,out as fast as we could but,it,kept,me,awake,all,night thinking,of,what the,consequences,cohld,have been. Incedible India!

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