Elephants, Silks and Monkeys
January 14th, 2008
So, I had no time for blogging over the weekend. We used our two days off to do some traveling and sightseeing in southern India.
We visited the ancient Hindu temples in Kanchiporum, where we also got to sit atop an elephant and later overwhelm ourselves shopping in a tiny silk and saree shop.
At first, the shopkeeper sat us quietly down in a line of plastic chairs in front of a long table. One by one, he unfurled a silk scarf or a saree across the table — each in a more vibrant, rich color than the next. They were all so gorgeous. How could we choose? And then, there was this palpable moment. With the silks spread out before us, the indecision and excitment swelled..and then BAM! With our chairs pushed back, we were bent over the table, sorting and sifting through the gorgeous silks like mad people, claiming our items in heaping piles. I’m pretty sure each one of us left with at least one well-stuffed bag.
Then it was onto Pondicherry, a beautiful part of the country whose architecture shows a lingering French influence. Right along the Bay of Bengal, it was a lovely place for a morning run on Sunday. And at 8 am, it was already packed with activity. Tourists and locals walking up and down the strip, and a buzz of activity outside the massive bazaar. It was refreshing to finally not be the only person running. But I was still the only woman, and received my share of stares.
From there, we stopped off at Auroville and quickly visited the ashram there, the Sri Audobindo Society. We were only actually able to tour the visitor’s area and see from afar (but not enter) the ashram’s giant golden sphere (imagine Disney’s Epcot Center). Called Matramandir, it was constructed in the 1960s, and is really a strange sight to see out in the middle of a grassy field.
From there, it was onto Mamallapuram to see the ancient stone carvings, get hissed at by a clutch of unfriendly monkeys and watch an amazing sunset from high above a lighthouse.
A great weekend — and I’d have great photos to show you. Only, I can’t seem to find my little flash USB stick that’s allowed me to upload photos here at the Zoom internet cafe. I’m really bummed about it. I had even managed to put together some video from last week’s work at St. Joseph’s and was excited to post it up. If it doesn’t turn up today, I’ll go into town and buy another.
So, you know…Please standby while we’re experiencing technical difficulties!
Asi missed you for those few days. But reading and seeing today, made up for those days. Keep the good work going and showing.
love ciocia zosia
posted by Aunt Zofia (01/14/08 4:37 pm)Wow, I admire what you are doing. Listening to what all the politicians say they’ll do contrasted to you actually doing something. God Bless & Good Luck
posted by Uncle Doug (01/14/08 5:52 pm)We are enjoying your stories and pictures that you send and Uncle Joe appreciates how far you have gone no one in the family has gone that far and happy you have chosen to do this and help others, the family as you know is very proud of you. Love Aunt Joyce and Uncle Joe
posted by Uncle Joe & Aunt Joyce (01/14/08 6:16 pm)