Pondicherry

Anyone that's read the Life of Pi will have heard of Pondicherry. We're here! We got the bus yesterday, from 'Mam' (as I now call it, to prevent previously mentioned mispronunciations). It was another nail biting journey with me clinging to my bags, the seat, closing my eyes and holding my breath for two hours as the driver religiously waited for a blind corner before over-taking the speeding bike in front of him. Near misses counted: 45.

Sam, meanwhile, oblivious to the danger and my silent fear - is making friends all over the place. This time with a nice chap called Raj. I'm sure Sam will go into more detail as they are now mates. I will take this moment to note the fact that Alice was right when she warned me: Nobody talks to the girl. Every question, answer or comment that is passed is directed towards Sam. I don't actually mind that much, they're not being rude, that's just the way it is. On the other hand, I get looked at a lot.

We were also warned (this time by Zach) that visiting India would give us a taste of what it might be like to be Brad and Ange. No, we're not suddenly super-attractive, mind-blowingly rich actors - but for some reason everyone wants to get there photo taken with us. Or at least stop and shake our hands. The photo taking is very odd indeed. On our last day in 'Mam' we got up very early to go to the Shore Temple and visit the carvings before it got too hot and the tourist crowds arrived. We got there at 7.30am, at the same time as a large school party. The children must have been between 7 and 9, and there were about 60 of them all in line waiting to get it. As we walked passed them up to the ticket booth they all gawped at us. Then there was a tentative 'hello, how are you?' followed by about 20 little 'how are you?'s. After a few 'we're fine, how are you?'s, they were taken on to the shore temple by their teacher. We followed about 10 mins later after taking some photographs from a distance. Sam was still about 200 meters away when I was suddenly surrounded by about 20 little boys, all jumping up and down and asking me my name and wanting to shake my hand. Then another 10 joined. By which time I was a little overwhelmed. I felt under pressure to perform or at least do something interesting. So I got my camera out. Oh God, they went NUTS. Screaming, shouting, pushing in front of one another to get in my photograph. I was getting some disapproving looks from their teacher so I tried to play down the whole situation but it was too late. Sam came along and taught them 'High 5's', which needless to say went down a storm. I got some great photos, but this silly ancient computer won't let me add them now. I will later.

Later as we walked along on our own an Indian family, obviously on a family day trip from another part of the country with Granny, Aunty, Dad, Mum and 3 kids, tried to take a surreptitious family photograph with us as the back drop... not the amazing, ancient, beautiful carvings.. but us! And what is more they tried to do it with out us noticing! I moved away, feeling a little uncomfortable. There was much whispered pushing and next thing I knew the Dad had run over and put the baby next to me and was taking photographs. It's happened about 5 times.

Pondi is very pretty. It was French until the '50s and the area we are staying in could be France, apart from the rickshaws. We even had Fish Provancal last night. We're staying in a nice little place and have met some old travel casualties. WAY too much weed and sunshine has made them go soft in the head. Bernard is the particular old dude we are trying to avoid at the moment.

Tomorrow we're going to the 'international community' of Auroville. A project in 'human unity' which now has over 1700 residents. HIPPIES. Interesting, but I don't think we'll be staying long. Don't worry.

Over to Sam. Photos to follow.