Chennai formerly known as Madras

The old colonial mansion where the outdoor reggae gig was held. Next to the ocean, warm tropical sea breeze, great music, rustling palms, aaah, la vie tough!


The last post I wrote disappeared into the ether somewhere. It was from Puducherry formerly known as Pondicherry. I mentioned that although the primary drive to go there was the fact that the great seer, spiritual giant and home rule agitator Sri Aurobindo had made his home there in 1910 (we arrived 98 years to the day after) after being sought for sedition by the British - a hanging offence. As he was also fluent in French the French governor thought it best he stay, and he had a considerable impact until his death in 1950. We enjoyed the brief stay there, and Cathy had only just said to Saskia that she felt like some dancing, and lo and behold a French reggae band was playing next door on Saturday night. A good French reggae band! It was in the grounds of the old colonial mansion which houses Alliance Francais - huge double story whitewashed building with enormous columns and wide verandahs. The band set up in the courtyard on the lawn under the palms swaying in the cool evening sea breeze - it was right next to the beach. After a lot of walking during the day, our legs had given out by a reasonable hour, and to the chagrin of the guest house proprietor, the music was clearly audible even in our room. I quite enjoyed sitting on the balcony listening to both the waves lapping the shore, and the beat of the music. The unexpected has been popping up at every turn. We catch the train tomorrow morning for Kolkata formerly known as Calcutta. This trip has so far been revisiting places I have known, and tomorrow we venture into new territory for both of us. Quite exciting. At the place we had some meals in Puducherry, there was a map of Sikkim and Gangtok on the wall, which also showed aunt Grace's school; and the woman at the next table had just come down from there and gave us some accomodation info. I think it will come together nicely.