10 days now

Since I first logged onto the internet years ago, this is the first time I have gone one whole week without tapping into the Net.

In fact, I haven't even touched a computer for 7 days.

This is simply unbelievable, for me at least. I am progressing well on my no-internet therapy. And you know what? I don't think I have missed much.

Nor was I missed, I think. In this world now, everything happens so fast, so many things changing that everyone seems insignificant in reflection. Perhaps only one or two persons would really notice your absence!

My classes are progressing excellently. My teachers are pros and friendly. They think that I am picking up quickly and so they pressed me quite hard, forcing me to listen to their fast speech. People here speak a zillion languages, and when I try to pick up words on the street, I really couldn't tell if it was because I sucked at listening Tamil or just because they were speaking in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam etc.

I have made quite many friends here at Dakshin Chitra where I am staying and at the Institute of Asian Studies where I am studying. Even at Kovalam, where I change buses every weekday, I have made friends...those few guys that helped me out with directions the first time I got into Kovalam, well now they see me every weekday and we chat briefly if time allows.

Every meal at DakshinChitra is something to look forward to, as I will be chatting with Ajith (the waiter) and Ratamani (the chef). They told me their stories, their aspirations, their struggles. I taught them Mandarin and even some French (what I can remember of course, and very imperfect).

Every weekday is also exciting, as I will be learning new words and classes are really very friendly. I buy my cookies (lunch) from the grocery store on my way walking into IAS, and the storekeeper was always eager to give me Tamil practice :). Naagu and Rani (who I find very pretty!) who takes care of the guesthouses also talk to me in Tamil whenever they catch me hahaha.

Today I read some poems from classical Tamil texts, translation of course. Simply breathtaking. Their love poems are really so...good!

During my free time here, I read my Song Ci and English poems that I brought with me. In IAS, during breaks, I hungrily read up on Tamil literature and Hinduism.

This Tuesday I have taken a day's holiday from IAS. Why? Because I will be bringing Ratamani and the Sanjay gang (see pic below) out for bowling and maybe cinema at Mayajaal, the entertainment center just minutes away from DakshinChitra. Looking forward to it!

Apna keyal rakhana (take care in Hindi).

Everyone gets so close during such times :)

Fort Museum at St.George Fort, Chennai. I once promised a friend that I would take dancing pictures of myself for this friend wherever I travel. Well, I hope a picture of my dog in place of me would suffice. If this friend is reading this, know that I miss you and I wish you all the best.

Lady making flower garlands in bus. After stealing snaps of her, I told her I was taking pics of her and she sportingly said ok and smiled at my camera. Of course with her looking at me I got nervous and the subsequent pics weren't as good as this one. I spent at least 5 minutes trying to figure out how she tied the knots but I failed.

from left: Pramod, Jogi, Sanjay. These guys are handicraft vendors in D.Chitra selling works from their villages. All the vendors at D.C. are my friends, but I am particularly close to these guys. They are all from Orissa and speak no Tamil, so I pick up some Ordio (spelling?) from them. They invited me to join them for a fruit juice session at Kanathur, just minutes away from D.C.. That was my virgin roadside stall meal experience in India, and luckily I had no stomaches. The fruit juice selection was broad and juice was good. After that I even joined them for their grocery shopping, including a visit to the chicken slaughterhouse haha. Oh yeah, these guys excitedly bought me Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate...haha...macam small boys je.