Friday, March 28, 2008

சென்னை

i know you can't read tamil, and neither can i . . . it says madras up there i think . . .
well i've been here a couple of days, and its starting to seep in, the salty breeze, alien language, crowded streets lined with the variety of a typical indian metropolis. coming from delhi its a pleasent drop in pace though. they've had a metro since the 30's . . . go figure. well i walked the marina beach, and i don't think i've seen a beach that large anywhere . . . and its full of people, fishermen to couples . . . vadapalini is where i'm based, close on nungambakam. but t nagar is where its at as far as i can gather.

. . . off to kanchipuram, dusty temple town north of madras . . .
;-)

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous15:21

    Marina Beach is an amazing experience. When i was there 10 years ago, as a kid, the best things were the horse back rides and the smell of 'chaat' everywhere. Also, I think Marina Beach is technically, one of the longest beaches in the world, and if its still as crowded as I remember it to be, all those silly but cute things like those merry-go-rounds and glass bangle stalls must still exist.

    Elliot's beach was an other amazing place. Then again Besant Nagar used to be one of the coolest places in Chennai. And the Ashtalaxmi temple wala part of Elliot's used to breath taking. (And you don't have to be religious to enjoy it.)

    Then again, I heard they all took a beating in the Tsunamis. And the last time I went to those places in 8 years ago. Things change.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous15:25

    Marina Beach is an amazing experience. When i was there 10 years ago, as a kid, the best things were the horse back rides and the smell of 'chaat' everywhere. Also, I think Marina Beach is technically, one of the longest beaches in the world, and if its still as crowded as I remember it to be, all those silly but cute things like those merry-go-rounds and glass bangle stalls must still exist.

    Elliot's beach was an other amazing place. Then again Besant Nagar used to be one of the coolest places in Chennai. And the Ashtalaxmi temple wala part of Elliot's used to breath taking. (And you don't have to be religious to enjoy it.)

    Then again, I heard they all took a beating in the Tsunamis. And the last time I went to those places in 8 years ago. Things change.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous15:30

    Also by metro, if you mean the local trains -- it can be such a nightmare. Years ago, it used to be the best way to reach the suburbs like Tambaram and Maraimalai Nagar and beyond. All I can remember is stains of paan on the walls, and those angry old ladies with big bindis and lots of vibudhi who were scarier than they looked.

    ReplyDelete

you were saying . . ?