Pondicherry Hi jody,
glad to know that you enjoyed Pondicherry.
For all your blog readers, I want to inform you ppl of a quaint shop / boutique called KHAZAANA ( it means treasure chest in Hindi, btw) on the Gandhi road in pondy (door No. 338). It is a beautiful small shop run by a pretty young lady called Manju, and she keeps the most wonderful cotton stuff you can imagine....
Punjabi Baggy pants and Tops, Cushion covers, Bedspreads and tapestries, and beeeeeeuuuuuutifullllllllll silver Jewellery..
Her establishment is opposite a school called Petit seminaire. Since Manju runs it from her residence, in all likelihood you might miss it, if u are not careful. Her house has a long driveway, and you got to climb the stairs to the 1st floor. Belive me, the hunt and effort is worth it!!!!!
Do not blow all your money when you are shopping in India, u'll regret it, once you see her goods, and cry 'cos you are short on the moolah!
Happy Shopping!!!!!
Pondicherry.. Dear Jody, I live and work in Pondicherry.
I chanced upon your blog, and your wonderful remarks and comments about your experiences at Pondicherry. I thank you for writing such honest and praiseworthy comments about my city. Most tourists equate Pondicherry to the rest of India, while it is not so. I am myself a North Indian from Jaipur, whose family migrated and settled down here 40 years ago. We have prospered and are now a part of the social landscape of Pondy. I have worked in many nations abroad - including Germany, Dubai, Qatar, singapore, etc, and have also travelled to other parts of the world. Yet, for me PONDY is HOME, and I am happiest when I am at Pondicherry.
I am truly glad that you and your friends enjoyed your stay here.
Please do contact me, if you ever plan to come back, and I would be honored to meet you.
you can mail me at guptapravin@hotmail.com
Baby? OK Jody, I know we joked that you would come back from India married and pregnant, but I don't think any of us really believed that you would be thinking about it seriously. Actually, I think you would make a wonderful mother! Hope you start feeling more in sorts soon. It is difficult to adjust from the experience you had even when you are not talking a culture that is so opposite ours.
I'm in, just let me know when Jody,
I'm in for the party. I look forward to seeing the pictures and hearing the stories. I would suggest you wear your nose jewelry, it's the "new" you that was always there. Dan
A New Career? Jody,
Thank you for all of your notes, they have been great. I think I smell a new career here...perhaps you should write a book about your experience and go on the road to promote it? If you need a place to present to a large group, maybe where our club meets would be good. Thanks so much...chuck
Welcome Home Wish I could have met you at the airport. Been thinking of you and wanting to call. This blog is my favorite of all of them. Let's go SHOPPING for an "entire new wardrobe." YEAH! Love ya to India and back.
Hey - you're home - or will be by the time you read this! I just wanted to say how much I truly enjoyed your travels. I laughed and cried and will really miss them.
Glad you are home all safe and sound and ready (I'm sure) for some wild nights with Nick!
Have fun!
Love ya
Pam
the chapter ends, the journey continues it has been such a treat to read about your adventure. can't wait to see you. i WOULD LOVE to experience this trip. i have to laugh when i read your blogs and the missing of 'normal' food.. i remember my two trips to europe and craving/missing SALSA! :-) i don't know that i would be ready for the next rotary trip.. but maybe the one after that? let's talk when you get home. many blessings and safe travels. p.
Denmark and a Book Jody, Seems like you've been gone such a long time. Thanks for plugging the rotary GSE team to Denmark. I would love to go myself but alas, don't qualify on several points. So....your book idea sounds intriguing. It would be interesting to explore how women from these two very different cultures view themselves and there lives. Looking forward to your safe return, as well as the other team members.
Thank god you will write some more Jody,
You had a lot of great things to share as usual but the part that got my attention was that you will be writing more in the blogs post trip.
On the down side, I see that that Rotary limits participants to between 25-40; I was thinking about getting my application ready.
Get some rest and spend some alone time.
Dan
Less than a day away Hi Jodi and Team. You're are now less that a day away and probably won't even get this comment before you get back but wanted to add it anyway. It sounds like your trip was tough but such an opportunity for personal growth on so many fronts. You will never be the same again. Hope you enjoyed London and wish I could be at the airport but not a chance. I know you would rather see your loved ones anyway! Hope to see all of you in person very soon.
Debbie Beebe
Congrats Jody,
I give you a lot of credit for taking this on and keeping us constantly informed. I have mixed feelings also. NOT because of having you come home, but I really looked forward to reading your blog.
Let me know when you plan to homecoming party.
Dan
Finally sat down and read your last 10 entries - what an amazing adventure you are having! You are the perfect American Ambassador and I am so proud of you and glad you chose this journey. I can't wait to see you, your photos and hear all about your journey!
Love ya
Pammy
Thank you Jody, I cannot tell you what a wonderful treat you have given me by all the great things you wrote about. I feel as if I was there with you. An unexpected gift!!! Looking forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Guida
Growing Pains Hi Jody and team! I read this blog with much interest. Living in a culture that is so diametrically opposed to ours for five weeks has to be really difficult. It sounds like everyone will come home with an appreciation for what we often take for ganted in our country and also a better understanding of what others live with or without everyday. Your lives will be forever changed. It makes me proud that Rotary is able to provide such amazing opportunities for young people to help bring about world peace and understanding. Just think...you may have opened the mind of someone without ever knowing it just as they have opened yours. It is great that you wanted to be a part of this. I know you will make a difference!
Retrospection Jody, you have shared so much of yourself thru this experience. This blog was especially revealing. Not only is there nothing wrong with you (not being married) there's just plain nothing wrong, period. I would hate to live in a society that expected me to be married to one man my entire life especially if it was arranged and not based on love. And, the idea that it's not okay to remarry if my husband were to die but if I were male, no problem. That it's okay for a man to have girlfriends and women aren't even supposed to take a walk alone. The whole idea is so unpalatable. And, for you to have to answer the questions again and again and be scrutenized and judged based on your marrital status is outrageous. We have so many freedoms here that we don't even know we have let alone appreciate them. This is so enlightening. When you have these conversations, do they seem to be open to a new view point on the matter? Deenie
Wow Jody,
I give you credit for being, shall we say, very descriptive. I don't think I ever look at eating and relieving the same way.
Re: relationships in India, seems kind of brutal about women not remarrying and men not taking other men's children. Of course, married men having girlfriends is a very interesting.
Re: the driving, I think I would like to try that sometime. It would add a little excitement. However, I'll bring a helmet and flame retardant suit.
I can hardly wait to see the pictures.
Dan
P.S. I am also interested in some of those entrepreurial ideas. I always interested in ways to make money (once a capitalist, always a capitalist).
More questions about women We hear sometimes on the news about "honor killings" and a woman who was gang-raped as punishment for her brother dating someone above his station. Do women in India face these kinds of problems? And are they able to freely enter the work world?
How fun! So glad you can take advantage of little "spontaneous" things, like your elephant ride! I always assumed that no way would I eat American fast food when in another country, but now I totally understand how even Pizza Hut can be a blessing! Can't wait to see the picture of you and the baby elephant!
Home will be odd Hi Jody and all the team. Home will be good, but odd for a little while...because you've all changed. Take some time to decompress. We've broken the record here for days without rain. No ladle food for awhile...no soup, stew, glop, etc. if you don't want it. Travel is the best and most exciting thing, but I agree about being grateful for living where I do and when in history that I do. It would be difficult to be a woman elsewhere and else-time (i'm sure that's not a word). Thank you for blogging so candidly. It is SO appreciated. Hugs to all the team!
Desperate Housewives jody - i am getting a tremendous amount of enjoyment over your 'scandalous international profile!' you should revel in it, roll around in it, savor it.. you are a JUICY WOMAN worthy of raised eyebrows! imagine if being a divorcee in our community was that exciting.. you would be splashed all over the society pages. .. please, dahlink, no photos... :-) can't wait to see you! hugs, p.
Almost Home Jody, after weeks of living vicariously through the travel blogs you and Mags have sent and the wonderful e-mails Mike sends, life will seem anticlimatic. Each day I can hardly wait to read what the team has been up to. I know the Rotarians in the district that are keeping up with you feel the same way. I will be thinking of you this Saturday - have to give a training so cannot be at the airport. Hope your warm clothes are waiting for you in London. Enjoy the warm water of the Hilton and eat all the things you have been dreaming of!
Would you mind staying - I enjoy reading the blogs Jody,
You blogs get more and more entertaining and informative. Perhaps you can stay a bit long or schedule a another vacation for your family and friends and act as the tour guide.
I am glad you are finally able to walk by yourself a little bit. I am sure you need a little "alone time."
Pondy sounds like a great place to visit. If I ever go to India, I'll have to keep that in mind (along with all the other areas I can get a little American food).
Btw, I know this is not your area of focus, but what about the single women in India? Just curious.
Keep the blogs coming.
Dan
Reva
non-member comment
Pondicherry
Hi jody, glad to know that you enjoyed Pondicherry. For all your blog readers, I want to inform you ppl of a quaint shop / boutique called KHAZAANA ( it means treasure chest in Hindi, btw) on the Gandhi road in pondy (door No. 338). It is a beautiful small shop run by a pretty young lady called Manju, and she keeps the most wonderful cotton stuff you can imagine.... Punjabi Baggy pants and Tops, Cushion covers, Bedspreads and tapestries, and beeeeeeuuuuuutifullllllllll silver Jewellery.. Her establishment is opposite a school called Petit seminaire. Since Manju runs it from her residence, in all likelihood you might miss it, if u are not careful. Her house has a long driveway, and you got to climb the stairs to the 1st floor. Belive me, the hunt and effort is worth it!!!!! Do not blow all your money when you are shopping in India, u'll regret it, once you see her goods, and cry 'cos you are short on the moolah! Happy Shopping!!!!!