So, after a long plane journey and stopping off at Colombo in Sri Lanka on a connecting flight, i finally made it to Chennai. At least the food on the plane was nice. I was a bit nervous at first when I left the airport and got a taxi to take me to my hotel as he didn't have a clue where to go! But after asking directions from tuk tuk drivers, he finally managed to get me there. It only took about 45 minutes. And he had the cheek to ask for a tip.
Raj Residency - the name of my hotel - does not have cleanliness on its priority list it seems. But at least I got a relatively comfortable king size bed, a cold shower, air conditioning and a smoking balcony, so it's not all bad. You get what you pay for so to speak. I didn't obviously do much on my first day as I was tired from the long journey, so i just spent time getting myself an Indian sim card sorted out and since there's a bar opposite my hotel, I also had a Kingfisher beer which was quite tasty. Since I now had credit, I decided to message my Tamil friends to let them know that I had arrived.
The following day, I decided to get the train to Thiruvallur and then head to Thiruvalangadu - the town the YRC is at where I worked as a Restless Development volunteer. I had messaged my friend Arun to let him know I was on my way and met him when I got there.I spent the whole day with him, Raj, Mani and Ajith as well as meeting the new national and English volunteer. It was a great day and I reminisced the time I worked there. It was a shame, though, to hear that they are moving the YRC up the road and that most of the people I knew and befriended no longer work there. Things change though.
The next day, I finally managed to get hold of Aruna and Kalai, I arranged to meet Kalai in Katpadi. It was great to see her again and she took me to her brother's office where I got some sweet bread and a cool drink. I didn't stay long though as Kalai took me to the bus stand so I could get to Chittoor. Aruna told me that a friend of hers, Suman, would come and pick me up from the bus station and he soon found me. I guess I must stick out like a sore thumb, haha! He took me on the back of his bike to the clothes shop he works at where i relaxed and waited for Aruna to come.
Aruna looked beautiful as always and I was glad to finally see her again. We spent a little time in the town of Chittoor and in the evening she took me to her village, Mala Kunta. I met her family and Aruna cooked me some potato curry which was delicious! In the morning she made me some tea (milk straight from her cow) and breakfast and let me used her bath, which was certainly different from an English bath. She also showed me around her village and introduced me to more family members and friends. She took me to the nearby farms where I had some coconut straight from the tree and coconut milk. I had never tried it before and it was lovely! I also tried some sugar cane too. Very nice!
Samun came and picked us up and we visited a temple. Didn't stay too long though as there were a lot of monkeys around that were agitated by us and Aruna got scared. I did a little too as one started hissing at me. I think it wanted my camera! Afterwards, we went to Samun's village and I met his family and friends. Becuase i was so tired, i ended up staying there the night rather than go back to Chennai. But not before meeting and hanging out with more of his friends and having a small bottle of whisky at some stall/shop. Was a pretty good, spontaneous evening!
The following day, I met up with Aruna again at Chtittoor. I taught her some chords on my ukulele; she's a quick learner! She then took me to her friends place in a more rural area of the town. It was a lovely relaxing day; her friend cooked us some rice and chicken curry and I also had some fruit which tasted a lot like a lemon which Aruna put some chilli powder slat on which made them even nicer! We just sat outside and chatted with her friend and her mother. I could get used to such a life.
Late in the afternoon, I got the coach back to Chennai. Aruna seemed upset that I was leaving but hopefully we'll meet again real soon. I really enjoy her company and most certainly would love to see her again, for sure.
So, that's what my first days here consisted of and I hope my time spent here will continue to be awesome. So far, the people here have been very pleasant and hospitable and friendly. I love it here.
Raj Residency - the name of my hotel - does not have cleanliness on its priority list it seems. But at least I got a relatively comfortable king size bed, a cold shower, air conditioning and a smoking balcony, so it's not all bad. You get what you pay for so to speak. I didn't obviously do much on my first day as I was tired from the long journey, so i just spent time getting myself an Indian sim card sorted out and since there's a bar opposite my hotel, I also had a Kingfisher beer which was quite tasty. Since I now had credit, I decided to message my Tamil friends to let them know that I had arrived.
The following day, I decided to get the train to Thiruvallur and then head to Thiruvalangadu - the town the YRC is at where I worked as a Restless Development volunteer. I had messaged my friend Arun to let him know I was on my way and met him when I got there.I spent the whole day with him, Raj, Mani and Ajith as well as meeting the new national and English volunteer. It was a great day and I reminisced the time I worked there. It was a shame, though, to hear that they are moving the YRC up the road and that most of the people I knew and befriended no longer work there. Things change though.
The next day, I finally managed to get hold of Aruna and Kalai, I arranged to meet Kalai in Katpadi. It was great to see her again and she took me to her brother's office where I got some sweet bread and a cool drink. I didn't stay long though as Kalai took me to the bus stand so I could get to Chittoor. Aruna told me that a friend of hers, Suman, would come and pick me up from the bus station and he soon found me. I guess I must stick out like a sore thumb, haha! He took me on the back of his bike to the clothes shop he works at where i relaxed and waited for Aruna to come.
Aruna looked beautiful as always and I was glad to finally see her again. We spent a little time in the town of Chittoor and in the evening she took me to her village, Mala Kunta. I met her family and Aruna cooked me some potato curry which was delicious! In the morning she made me some tea (milk straight from her cow) and breakfast and let me used her bath, which was certainly different from an English bath. She also showed me around her village and introduced me to more family members and friends. She took me to the nearby farms where I had some coconut straight from the tree and coconut milk. I had never tried it before and it was lovely! I also tried some sugar cane too. Very nice!
Samun came and picked us up and we visited a temple. Didn't stay too long though as there were a lot of monkeys around that were agitated by us and Aruna got scared. I did a little too as one started hissing at me. I think it wanted my camera! Afterwards, we went to Samun's village and I met his family and friends. Becuase i was so tired, i ended up staying there the night rather than go back to Chennai. But not before meeting and hanging out with more of his friends and having a small bottle of whisky at some stall/shop. Was a pretty good, spontaneous evening!
The following day, I met up with Aruna again at Chtittoor. I taught her some chords on my ukulele; she's a quick learner! She then took me to her friends place in a more rural area of the town. It was a lovely relaxing day; her friend cooked us some rice and chicken curry and I also had some fruit which tasted a lot like a lemon which Aruna put some chilli powder slat on which made them even nicer! We just sat outside and chatted with her friend and her mother. I could get used to such a life.
Late in the afternoon, I got the coach back to Chennai. Aruna seemed upset that I was leaving but hopefully we'll meet again real soon. I really enjoy her company and most certainly would love to see her again, for sure.
So, that's what my first days here consisted of and I hope my time spent here will continue to be awesome. So far, the people here have been very pleasant and hospitable and friendly. I love it here.
sounds like your having a fantastic time terry!! you make me laugh- hope you tipped the taxi man! haha. take care :)
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