Pondicherry

So here we are in beautiful and quaint Pondy. The "French Quarter" is so drastically different than any other place we have visited so far. Just over the canal- i.e. wastewaterway that smells so horribly rank that our gag reflexes are triggered - is the India Quarter which looks and feels much more like the India we have experienced thus far. Needless to say we really enjoy the quiet walks on the cobbled streets of the French Quarter, the yummy restaurants - even though they are serving "french" food we are savoring the lovely spices of the various indian dishes along with a nice sweet lassi - we are in food heaven! These photos are from scenes around Pondy - me (Kelley) waiting for the bus to Pondy; a little streetside laundry service; the "no horn blowing sign" which NOBODY abides by; the sacred cow napping on the sidewalk (which people don't use, so good thing it is being used by someone!); and last but not least, let us introduce, the ubiquitous MG, aka Mahatama Ghandi...word up!

South to Mahabalipuram

We woke up early this morning to take a bus to Mhabalipuram which is 2 hours - 10 miles (hahaha) south of Chennai. Parts of the coastline was hit by the 2004 tsunami and is still being rebuilt by various NGOs. This shore temple pictured is from 700AD and is slowly being eroded away by the salty sea. There are many other temples here including the 5 rathas which are carved out of big huge rock formations. Pretty impressive. The stone carvers are chisling away at granite all day long creating those trinkets you find in World Market. Not major craftsmanship but amazing dedication on a very tough stone. It is definitely more chill here but we are onto Pondicherry for a bit of yoga and french influenced architecture (and maybe coffee too!). Hope you are all doing well and that your 2007 is starting off with a bang! Lots of love to all of you - Kelley and Anthony

Onto India!

After an 8 hour flight from Joburg to Mumbai we had a 6 hour layover in the Mumbai domestic terminal! from midnight to 6 am! then we flew directly to Chennai (on the east coast of southern India in Tamil Nadu). Instead of my usual double cappucino i was jolted into consciousness by the crazy taxi ride from the Chennai airport to our hotel. Holy mother of god! I was not sure if we would get there alive or without running over the mass of cyclists, pedestrians, scooteristas, cows, goats, dogs, children or rikis that were all trying to use the same lane...did I say lane?...actually there is no such thing. There are some lines painted on the streets that you may think indicate lanes...not so, they are obviously just a decoration of some kind.
And those chickens hanging from the bicycle are alive (see picture)! not for long. We settled in for a walk to the beach, risking our lives but determined to walk so we could take in the sights and SMELLS (yipes) of the city. We stopped quickly at the lifestyle mall for some indian fast food and then onto the beach where everyone gathers for hot corn on the cob and some fun rides for the kiddies.