Sorry we're just throwing things up here when we get a spare minute! Today we drove to Auroville and Pudicherry. I can't describe enough how crazy the driving is here.... Somehow, they survive it, and we actually feel quite safe with our driver Rajendran.
Auroville was interesting. You'll have to read about the community online. We had a nice walk and saw the real Golden Globe. We also bought some very tasty treats called dry fruit laddu, made from almonds, cashews, pistachios, cardamom, sesame seeds, chana dal and dates.
Then we were off to Pudicherry. The instant we emerged from the van, we were swarmed by street vendors trying to sell us knick knacks. They were very persistent! The other thing that happened about instantly is people wanted to touch and take photos of Lydia. She's quite a celebrity everywhere we go, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. She told me tonight she's uncomfortable with all the attention. I hardly blame her. It's a lot to take for a seven year old! It already feels like a rush of humanity, and to feel like they're all coming at you.... She does very well. All the girls are doing great. We've made fast friends with the other volunteers here, several of whom are young women. It's perfect for our family. Elizabeth has adopted a couple of these as big sisters or aunts, and you can bet they teased each other all day!
We next went to the rocky beach and took some photos. There was garbage in all the nooks and crannies of the rocks. It wasn't a place to go swimming! (In fact, there's garbage pretty much along all the roads as well.) The bazaar at the center of Pudicherry was quite an experience, with aisles and aisles of little booths filled with people selling just about anything. There were lots of vegetables and fruits, lots of clothing, some fish, etc, etc. The whole downtown was also lined with shops and full of people.
I mentioned that we don't use utensils here. You put the rice on your plate, put on the topping (I don't know all the names for them yet, but they're tasty!), and make a little ball of rice with the fingers or your right hand (always your right hand). You then shove it off into your mouth with your thumb. It actually works pretty well! Saves on dishes, too. We got essentially all we could eat for $1.
We topped off the day with great ice cream, then drove home. Dinner here we actually eat with just the volunteers (and we do use forks for that meal). It was movie night for the kids, so we went over to the dining hall for that. We took our malaria meds, and we're off to bed.
Bye for now!
Auroville was interesting. You'll have to read about the community online. We had a nice walk and saw the real Golden Globe. We also bought some very tasty treats called dry fruit laddu, made from almonds, cashews, pistachios, cardamom, sesame seeds, chana dal and dates.
Then we were off to Pudicherry. The instant we emerged from the van, we were swarmed by street vendors trying to sell us knick knacks. They were very persistent! The other thing that happened about instantly is people wanted to touch and take photos of Lydia. She's quite a celebrity everywhere we go, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. She told me tonight she's uncomfortable with all the attention. I hardly blame her. It's a lot to take for a seven year old! It already feels like a rush of humanity, and to feel like they're all coming at you.... She does very well. All the girls are doing great. We've made fast friends with the other volunteers here, several of whom are young women. It's perfect for our family. Elizabeth has adopted a couple of these as big sisters or aunts, and you can bet they teased each other all day!
We next went to the rocky beach and took some photos. There was garbage in all the nooks and crannies of the rocks. It wasn't a place to go swimming! (In fact, there's garbage pretty much along all the roads as well.) The bazaar at the center of Pudicherry was quite an experience, with aisles and aisles of little booths filled with people selling just about anything. There were lots of vegetables and fruits, lots of clothing, some fish, etc, etc. The whole downtown was also lined with shops and full of people.
I mentioned that we don't use utensils here. You put the rice on your plate, put on the topping (I don't know all the names for them yet, but they're tasty!), and make a little ball of rice with the fingers or your right hand (always your right hand). You then shove it off into your mouth with your thumb. It actually works pretty well! Saves on dishes, too. We got essentially all we could eat for $1.
We topped off the day with great ice cream, then drove home. Dinner here we actually eat with just the volunteers (and we do use forks for that meal). It was movie night for the kids, so we went over to the dining hall for that. We took our malaria meds, and we're off to bed.
Bye for now!
Oh my goodness, I am just tuning in to your trip. It is so fun that you keep us updated on your blog. I love that, then I kind of feel like I am there with you guys. That is so funny about Lydia and all the attention she is getting. She will always remember that her entire life. So fun! Your are making such great memories for your kids......and you. They have such wonderful lives. The pictures are awesome. I just read the book, life of pi, and it mention he lives in Pudicherry. I am pretty sure, is that true? It sounded like Pondicherry, I listened to it not read it so I am not sure if it is the same place that is mentioned or not. Anyway, I loved your shirts that you all are wearing did you buy those there? Is that a traditional kind of clothing they wear?
ReplyDeleteKeep up the updates! Can't wait to hear more of your adventures.
Thanks lisle for tuning in. Yes Pundicherry was the place in Life Of Pi. It was fun to be there with all the venders and people. It's what you think of when you think of India. The clothes we are wearing we are asked to wear so that we stay modest. Here in the south they are very conservative, very modest. So Rising Star provides the clothing. The girls are having a great time choosing something from the closet to wear each day. It is better than ken barbies house in toy story.
Deleteoh I just love your updates! please bring me back some of those awesome clothes!
ReplyDelete