April 19th-20th Welcome to India!

 

The spinning-wheel on the center of the Indian Flag of independence represents Ghandi's cornerstone of resistance in bringing India away from colonial influences and back to its traditional weaving and dress...interesting fact #1
   WoW! India! Land of contradictions....One third the land area of the U.S. and at 1.3 billion, 4 times the population.  900 million exist making below $1,000 a year. It has 22 official languages and 50% of its population is below 25 years old. There is a 65% literacy rate. 180 million muslims live in India although 80% of the population is Hindu. These are some of India's facts...but witnessing life here is amazing.




                                  The Descent of the Ganges sculpture in one solid rock   

   Our first visit is Chennai (Madras), India's fourth largest city after Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. The "Detroit of South East Asia." Besides the auto industry, hi-tech has a foothold as a major employer,  and movie-making is HUGE. Chennai is also a cultural heritage site for traditional dance and the arts. Over the past thirty years, the way into politics here, is by being a recognizable movie actor/actress or screen writer.
   Our introduction into India was awash in paperwork and customs scrutiny, both on the ship before we were allowed to disembark and then again, on the tour bus leaving the port...this last check done over twenty minutes as we sat astride an active railroad line track!!! We felt both secure and insecure at the same time. The amazing contrast between the frenetic traffic with tuk-tuks, mopeds, trucks, cars buses and pedestrians, the busy sidewalks with fruit and vegetable stalls, as well as an occasional sleeping body and large wayward cow, was somehow all tranquilized by the women in their beautiful sarees who almost floated around, adorning the streets and alleyways looking cool in this 93 degree 92% humidity. This city has numerous medical hospitals and colleges, but little attempt is made to organize and centralize garbage pick-up. The people are always waving and smiling as we pass, even as they sit precariously with 2 children on speeding mopeds. The cuisine is exquisite, with layers of exploding flavors and subtle spices and Lassi (yogurt drink) to quell the fire. It is so very different and enriching.

Receiving a blessing in the Shiva Temple in Kanchipuram

                    The Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. Only one of six original temples to have survived the surf.



Sidewalk watermelon stall



Ox drawn cart