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Aug 2008----.----26
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26 August 2008-----11:46 AM--------------Pondicherry and Auroville
On 25 August, I finally arrived in Pondicherry, ex-French colony. It is very hot and the air is like a constant caress on the whole body and an invitation to laziness. Thank to the indispensable Lonely Planet, we found a nice hotel The Ganga Guest House located at 10mn from the seafront.
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Impossible to move from midday to 5pm as it is so hot. I visited a doctor to take care of a small infection and was amazed by the quality Indian medical care. Their standards are identical to the European ones. The Tamil women in the waiting room were fun. Although their English was non existent or very basic, they managed to tell me that they were Hindu AND praying Jesus at church. Nothing is impossible with Indians in terms of religion! One young lady showed me the Holy Bible she had in her bag and always kept with her. More Christian than the Christians in Europe!
Tamil people are very very easy going and smiling. The harshness of the North has given place to a smiling welcome. So gooooooooooood!!!! Of course there is poverty here in South India but I am not hassled with the same insistence and aggression than in the North.
Our hotel has a lot of character with its yellow and red column and colonial spirt with a mixture of Bollywood posters on the walls. Colours are great and warm.
Essentially French customers. The night is very loud as Tamils are celebrating the youth of Shiva and sing and dance late in the night with the help of powerful loudspeakers. There is no other options than to listen to the songs from the terrace while drinking a cool beer and meeting other French people in the hotel. I met Patricia and the young Julie from Paris who came to do some voluntary work with children through an association called ASMAE. Good spirit. Nice to meet such young girls ready to help humanity and eager to discover the world. Very refreshing and stimulating!
Today I discovered the old quarters of Pondicherry.... very close to the seafront, the ex-French colony was concentrated in 3 or 4 avenues which look typically French and offer an amazing contrast with the Indian part of the town. Large and clean avenues with big houses nicely painted.
Of course I visited the Alliance Française which is dependent on Indian government and the French College. It was amazing to hear Indians speaking such beautiful and perfect French.
Although French is still spoken in Pondicherry, Tamil and English are getting more and more predominant in Tamil Nadu. No job for me in Pondicherry. Salaries would be too low in the Alliance Francaise and the French College depends on the French Educational system and only accepts French diplomas and not my PGCE. Never mind because I want to come back to UK and resume my musical activities! Both the Alliance Francaise and the French College are stunning buildings with columns, luscious trees, artistic paintings and sculptures. I had the feeling to be in France for a couple of hours and even had coffee and croissants in a French cafe!
At 10am we decided to go and visit Aurobindo ashram, Auroville and the famous Matramandir, a golden egg shaped temple in the middle of the jungle. Vicky managed beautifully to control his smoking habits and was able to only breathe oxygen for an hour and half. Such a different feel from Munger Ashram.
If I understood well, Auroville and the Matramandir are two different spiritual communities though they are close by. Auroville has some beautiful craftshops and cafes. The place is quiet and beautiful. From Auroville you can walk through the forest and discover the shining Matramandir. Unfortunately we could not visit the temple as you have to call one day in advance. On our way back, we went to the Cafe.Com where I had a baguette sandwich with cheese! A big change after two months of spicy food. But I must confess that it tasted a bit empty after these weeks of biryani and curries!
Vicky is now resting..... We are planning a day out on Auroville Beach and I cannot wait to swim in the Bengali sea.
On Friday we should leave for the Tamil temples of Trichy and by the weekend we should reach the extreme end of India and Kanyakumari where you can see the sunset and sunrise at the same time and admire the three seas, the bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabic Sea!
I am now to cool down with a good shower before exploring a bit more the towns and its French and Indian streets.... Much love xxx Mu
Ponticherry is a former French colony, designed on the grid pattern with neat sectors and perpendicular streets. Quite a lot of French influence still remains.
Pondicherry also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world including Plage Paradiso (Paradise Beach), Serenity, Karaikal Beach, and Mahe beach.
