Bye Chennai!

On Tuesday, we had our first Indian shopping experience! Paige and I went out with Usha to a bazaar area known as "shoppers paradise." The name was very fitting! We walked along several streets of bustling sidewalks surrounded in every direction by goods and merchants- saris being sold in stands on the side of the road, electronics spilling out of store fronts, men relentlessly following us while beating small drums to purchase, clothes and toys of all shapes and sizes even hanging above our heads. A constant chorus of "Madam, madam, madam, madam!" from the vendors followed us down the street. We felt very safe that we were getting a good deal with the help of Usha's firm bartering tactics to reduce already incredibly inexpensive items. I bought Indian style loose shirt and pant outfit off a stand on the street for only US$7. We both also bought beautiful blue, sequenced saris and undershirts from a larger department store (that drew hoards of people inside with its air conditioning!) for less than $10 each. We now wish that we had packed less and just bought everything here!
Despite the scorching midday heat, the streets were full of people as always. There's such a diversity of men and women all walking together, each with their own mission making their way through the city. It's shocking to see young boys begging on the road as a wealthy business men zip by in their new Mercedes cars. But there's a sense that everyone gets by and makes do with what they have.
It definitely takes a while to get accustomed to being a pedestrian in Chennai! When trying to cross one busy street, Paige, Usha and I clung to one another to run past rickshaws, bikes, cows and cars to make it to the middle of the road, only to be forced back to where we started by a large bus making a wide turn. We made our second bold attempt a few moments later, this time with Usha putting out her hand to stop traffic a few centimeters away from us as we hurried across.
Tuesday evening, we had to say a sad goodbye to Usha and Sarathy and leave for the airport to fly to Madurai. Usha and Sarathy are both such beautiful, generous people. We enjoyed Chennai so much and are so thankful for their hospitality, taking us into their home and calling us their daughters :) There couldn't have been a better introduction to Tamil Nadu city life!


It was sad to have to leave the bustling, beautiful Chennai already but little did we know the adventures that awaited us.

The colors, heat and energy of Chennai were very invigorating and the smiling, waving children were very sweet. It's hard to see the seas of garbage and women holding tiny, frail babies. But everyone is all together in the city, walking and motoring through the city, Hindus and Muslims, poor and rich. Oh, and Kelsey and Paige too.