We traveled to southern India. Most people go to the north, which is where the Taj Mahal and other famous monuments are. Southern India is famous for its temples, silks, and delicious food!
more chennai from the rooftop of our $$ stinky hotel
the waterfall on the roof
Lunch, eaten on a banana leaf with one's right hand
flowers sold outside all temples for use in women's hair, placed on alters, or used as decoration
Temple in Chennai - many temple donations ensure its preservation
Clearly I am my mother's daughter. Susan, Chennai, India
The object of the memorial
Susan and Casey, Government Museum, Chennai, IN
Paving the street
Public busses.. very crowded during rush hour!
Packed full rickshaw!
Impressive temple near Kanchipuram
Shoe store! handmade sandals
Susan outside a temple, getting shoes made
Shoes getting adjusted
Our second lunch eatn with the hand. We're old pros now.
“I'm going to get eveyr last grain of rice!”
Nathan, our very sweet taxi driver/chauffer
Sari shopping in Kanchipuram
Sharing tea in Nathan's house, which was about 12 feet by 12 feet and housed his family of 4.
Nathan, Nathan's wife, and their 2nd son
A cow eating the banana peels that i threw to it from the bus. Yes, this is the HIGHWAY.
fruit stand by the road
A cow meandering across the highway. Looks like she needs milking.
When they saw me taking their photo, they were quite happy! Susan has a shot of them laughing.
The beach in Mamallapuram
rupees - already i forget the exchange rate.
looking pasty
Mother and Daughter
jumping into our hotel pool! whee!!!
Beautiful hair decoration
Public bus driver
The 7th temple
Viewing the temple
Mother and Daughter in Mamallapuram
Temple in the sky
Cow guarding the temple
Explaining the temple
“What's next?”
Making sugarcane juice!
Community reservoir, standard in most towns, Mamallapuram
7th temple (the only one not claimed by the sea) in Mamallapuram
Looking out on Mamallapuram
MONKEY!!!
Me, petting a monkey sculpture made to entertain children while the sculptors worked
The Mamallapuram Monoliths
Monolith elephants in Mamallapuram
Susan, contemplative by the monoliths in Mamallapuram
Taking a nap on the monoliths
“Butterball” in Mamallapuram, India
Susan, attempting to push over the “butter ball”
Amazingly strong children holding up the butterball!
Mama goat and Baby goat enjoying Sunday at the monoliths too
Sunday at the park in Mamallapuram
Refreshments for sale
Drying clean towels, Indian style
Susan, very hungry, at breakfast in Mamallapuram. Breakfast actually came from the restaurant next door since this place didn't make the traditional Indian breakfast that she ordered.
Cows enjoying the beach in Mamallapuram, India
“Take my photo!” Mamallapuram, India
Fishing boats on the Indian coast, restored after the tsunami
Contemplation in Mamallapuram
Making Noah's lion
Wind power!
Goats honor Ganesh
PCR lab in the middle of the countryside next to a rest stop populated by many busses. I wonder how they get business..?
Typical modes of transportation for the middle class
The sacred elephant sucks your coin offering up his nose and then taps you on the forehead to bless you. (Susan)
Ian, looking more bless-ed now
I look very scared of the trunk!
Hi, elephante
Elephants also like to eat small children. Or, at least, the apples they offer.
PUPPY!!
PUPPIES! Unlike most US puppies, these puppies were very scared of people. We lured them to us with broken up crackers given to us by the street vendor.
playing a game outside a fish market in Pondicherry
Three women playing a game outside a fish market in Pondicherry, IN
Nap time
End of the day at the fish market
Fresh fruit is abundant
A parade involving many people dressed up as kings and queens. We found it when in pursuit of wool yarn, which does NOT exist in southern India (for a reason!!)
Auroville's center
IAN, wearing a lungi and a shirt from FabIndia
visitors center in auroville
getting it while it's good
Not dinnertime yet!
ian and his buddy on the organic farm
We took turns driving the motorbike. Some of us were crazier drivers than others of us.
Now it's Mom's turn. Try riding a motorbike in a huge skirt!!
On the organic farm, a moment of peace.
Flowers in the Auroville visitors' centre
macro shot of flower in Auroville
THE MOTHER of auorville
Decorative flowers, which were everywhere in India
flowers around a pot.. in auroville
Lotus flower outside our lovely japanese-style room in Verite, a community within Auroville
lovely
Coming up (This shot was with my digital camera)
fallen flower by the big golden meditation center
flowers everywhere!
Madri mondo, the center of auroville
ewww a bug outside of FabIndia
Ian is tired of shopping
Ghandi in Pondicherry towering over Susan
Mom reading up on the Ghandi statue.
Sunday stroll on the beach
Sunday walk on the beach. I'm getting a suspicious look from one of the girls.
Casey on the beach of Pondicherry
Village cultural center near Auroville
“photo? photo? you take my photo?”
Kids in India are allowed (and expected) to play outside!
Ocean in November
Susan walking along the beach
Indian version of a beach umbrella. Beautiful!
Flapping in the wind
Aurovillian goat
Susan by the plowing farmer
Plowing a field near Auroville. It was quite hot, and VERY hard work. The man was in his 40s or so, all muscle, and wearing only a loincloth and a headwrapping.
Doorway of the cultural center in a Tamil village.
“That well is deep!”
Casey in another Aurovillian's home
Aurovillian friend and Ian on the capsule, which they were building on the organic farm for housing.
Susan on the capsule
We're like monkeys!
Ian, Aurovillian, and Casey in the capsule
where ian worked (the farm was named Solitude, and was in Auroville)
Mom on motorbike, look out!
Neverending wait in London's Heathrow airport. We were stuck there for 6+ hours. I slept in the middle of the busiest part of the terminal, and contracted strep throat somewhere along the way.
Garden wall
Susan, Swiss lady, and Manfred (German) on the roof of an avante garde modern home in Auroville
