Thursday, April 24, 2008

Travelling around South India

Statue dedicated to the traveller.  Oviedo, Spain.Image via Wikipedia

Intending to get up early in the morning. Didn't happen. No walk and then could not make out if I overslept or underslept. Zonked thru the car ride with Father reading Mint. I took a snap of his reflection in the side mirror. I think his face came out decent but the stupeed front seat covered his face.


Anyways, decided I would step into the local CCD and imbibe a cup of black kapi. Wonderful the walk was – felt nice in the warm sunshine with the sweat pouring off my face (slight exaggeration of course) The kapi was wondrous. Relaxed for 30 minutes, read the complete Hindustan Times – starting with the Business section and then reading the main section. I think HT started me off getting more interested in business, stock market and I do occasionally read the Mint too.


I am going on a trip to South India soon. Starting 30th April and ending on 14th May. Starting from Chennai, proceeding towards Mahabalipuram and then Pondicherry. I have done research on what to see and eat there. Booked my accommodation as well so that has been sorted out. I worry about travelling alone. This man will be in the last leg of my journey and he is excited too especially the part where we walk on hot melting earth - direct quote from him.


From Pondicherry I am travelling further to Salem. Salem is where my Mom was born. Her memories of the place are driving me there of course. She of course doesn't know that I am travelling alone. She threw a hissy fit (err, no other words for that fit fit :P) at me going alone. By mistake, I said something about going alone. But what the heck, you gotta do what you gotta do. From Salem, the original plan was to go to Madurai. But Madurai is overbooked so I am going directly to Kuttralam. The bloddy place is called Courtallam – blech how anglicized can things get.


Kuttralam – is where Amar Seva Sangam is located. Dad has been giving money to this place for the last 20 years. They started off against female foeticide and infanticide. Apparently they r looking forward to me coming there. This man told me abt Tenkasi – a place I am planning to visit. One thing that I am worried about is the way people are going to stare but then again I get stared in Bumbai. I am going to be carrying pepper spray or some variant on it too so that should make things okay I reckon.


Back to Coimbatore from here and onwards to Bangalore on the 9th. Shall meet up with some friends then. Onwards to Hospet and then Hampi :) I am looking forward to this part of the journey. Yaaaay..3 days spent here and then back to Bangalore for a day and then catching a Jet flight to Mumbai. :)


My travel itinerary has now been fleshed out. Like I said my only worry is traveling alone. More than the safety issues I am concerned about how I am going to do trip without company. I like pointing things out, see details and love to share that with people. That is not going to be feasible on this trip except at Hampi. It is shaping up to be an interesting journey and I am looking forward to it with some parts excitement, some part trepidation and most parts YAAY :D


1 comment:

dharmabum said...

sounds like a very exciting trip. travelling alone is joyful - you've got it all at your own pace, theres nobody to wait or worry for!

am a little concerned as it is going to be very hot these days, hope you'll take the weather, its not the best time to travel down south.

good luck!