The day began with a sense of calm,we both had a deep sleep leaving us feeling more human. As we got ready for breakfast the phone rang, Param Guru, our chauffeur for the next ten days, had arrived early. It sounds so entitled having a chauffeur, but logistically it has been the cheapest least stressful option. Will only two weeks here it seemed a more straightforward idea, but also means that we can go off the beaten track.
Wearing crisp white ironed shirt and trousers, as well as a big smile. I couldn’t work out his age, but later, he said he was 60. When I said I was 60 too, he said I could be his big sister.
With a smile, he placed flower garlands around our necks a traditional welcome he said. The beautiful perfume of the flowers carried with me all day. I think they were jasmine flowers.
Breakfast followed, soft idlis with coconut chutney and sambar, and a bowl of sweet seviyan kheer, its saffron and cardamom fragrance lovely first thing in the morning. I even had a second helping of the idlis, they were so light and fluffy.
We met with Param, who is very chatty and good to get along with. The day centred on visiting the top attractions of Chennai, with a few detours that Param suggested. He said I will be your servant for the next ten days, so we countered by saying we hoped to be friends.
Param made a point to say he was driving slowly so we could see as much of Chennai as possible. Everywhere we passed he would point out a building or a street and give a running commentary. He was not adverse to a bit of horn beeping but it was done more discreetly.
The first stop was to the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Param said we were very lucky as we were visiting towards the tale end of a festival. We hadn’t realised how lucky we were because it was such a colourful spectatcle. Pete found out it was the Paguni festival, celebrated in the month of Paguni.
We had to take our shoes off to goinside the main part. As our things haven’t arrived from the airport yet, this was more of a palaver for Pete as he was wearing proper shoes.
A woman warmly approached me and gave me a bag for the sandals I was carryin, then she placed a red bindi on my forehead, calling me ‘sister’.
Groups of people huddled together as free food was passed out, jalebi, rice etc.
Pete got worried about his shoes as he had left them outside, but then he wasn’t allowed back in! So for a moment I thought I had lost him!
I think the thing that I am enjoying is that it is so different. I haven’t got a clue about what is happening but it isn’t stopping me appreciate it. Before coming I thought we would get hassled and that was a preconception that so far has been firmly proved wrong.
Our next little detour was to an art gallery shrine. Which was an explosion of colour. As we were coming out we saw a procession, with a holy man held aloft, he waved to Pete.
The next stop was the Basilica of Saint Thomas, but Param thought it would be good to stop at the fish market on the way.
Again we snaked through the city to the next leg ofthe trip, passing horses in stables, ready for wedding ceremonies and more little shops and big traffice jams.
So….despite writing all this the confusion between jetpack and wordpress meant half the blog was lost. Very annoying!
So quick update. We visited Santhome Basilica, a white cathedral that stands out.
Very gothic! Inside a fusion of typical Christian imagery with the added Indian bling.
Then it was on to St George’s Fort, the first English stronghold in India, built in 1644 and nothing to be proud of.
It is now a government building, the moat long gone due to issues with crocodiles. A lot of security before going in. I was escorted to the ‘ladies frisking room.’
Param helped met us and helped us across the road, otherwise we would still be there!
The next stop was the Government Museum, beautiful architecture. Unfortunately alot of it was closed but we did see quite a bit.
Random Acts of Travelling 