Day 67 Two sides of Pondicherry

 The poverty level in India is 32 rupees per day- this sign reads that if you are over 65 years old, the government will give you 200 rupees per month - approximately $4 US dollars. To get an idea of what that is in India, a chai teas costs 7 rupees at the tea stall, the average thali- or local "plate lunch" of Indian food served at the local style Indian restaurant costs about 80 rupees.

Pondicherry is a former French settlement. This beautiful, clean European style neighborhood runs parallel to the boardwalk of the beach. There is a garden, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques that are a haven for tourists and visitors to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Keep walking north down the cobblestone streets of French Pondi...I thought I was in Europe.

On the north side of Pondi, these guys asked me to take their photo.

 This is Lakshmi. She will bless you, tapping you on the head with her trunk if you give her a few coins or some grass to eat. She lives and works at the Manakkula Vinayakar Temple.

The flower market

Inside the museum at the Pondicherry papermaking Company. It is run by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where the "mother" is fondly revered by followers. 

This goat is trying to eat the building.

Colorful Pondicherry.

The only beach with sand that I found in Pondi. Due to multiple incidences of drowning, it is illegal to swim in Pondicherrry.

Day 48 Madurai

Diwali in Madurai

Well, its been a long journey from Dehra Dun. I flew to Goa to meet up with my dear friend, Alex Dorcean, who is also here in India from the University of Hawaii. He is a creative writer working toward his Masters, reading about Shiva and writing a novel. We celebrated his birthday and spent a few days walking on the beaches of Goa discussing our ongoing projects in India and our life goals and dreams. One year ago Alex and I made a commitment to fulfill our dream of coming to India, and here we are! Watching that dream become a reality and sharing that dream with a dear friend is very special - I am excited to see how India directs our work.

I've been traveling by bus since Goa. Onward to the cottonbelt of India!!!  I pass many small farms, some cotton here and there, small, dry looking patches, accompanied by small fields of white roses. The sweet smell of the roses was a welcome pause from the car exhaust and rotting garbage that is the norm on a non/ac state bus in India. I like the bus when I can get a decent seat - and now that I have a broken foot and am limping around they give me the front where I can prop my foot up and see clearly out the window. I wasn't so lucky (if you can call having a sore foot lucky) on my way to Mysore - stuck for 18 hours squished between a large man in the window seat, one in the isle and suitcases looming over me in the seat in front of me. I got off the bus with two swollen feet and ankles - I had never had this happen before! I had to sit with my feet on the wall at the hotel for 4 hours before I could go out!

Today I am in Madurai - I've almost reached the southernmost tip of India. It has become sort of a challenge for me to see if I can get all the way to Thiruvananthapuram by bus. I'm going to meet with a University art professor there. Maybe I'll find some contemorary art! I'm okay if I don't. There is a temple complex there that is amazing. Afterwards I will take the train (probably) to Auroville and see what that is all about. It is supposed to be a completely sustainable community. We'll see what I learn there. I'll be going to Jaipur early, due to my toe, and so that I can begin learning some papermaking before I dive in to the foundry and ceramic at Studio Sukriti. I've heard so much about Rajasthan I am getting excited to go there. Moving from place to place is exciting but also exhausting. It will be nice to stay put for a while.

More pictures later when I can use my own computer!
Namaste!!!

Navdanya Conservation Farm, Dehra Dun, India

Navdanya Conservation Farm