Random thoughts from India.
Today was a cultural day for the GV team. In the morning we drove to the Chidambaram Temple. (Google it!). It was amazing. Last trip we went to many temples in one day and they were all very impressive in their own way. This temple is HUGE. They told us the priests own about 40 acres of land and a lot of it is the 4 entrances and inner temple grounds. Very impressive. One part that we couldn't go into but could view through a gate was this 'hall' with 999 columns. Each one intricately carved. Amazing.
After the temple we went to Pichavaram which is an eco tourism site for a ride through the Mangrove forest. It was beautiful and it felt great to be out on the boat enjoying the salt water spray, gentle rocking of the waves and laughter of my team mates.
It was a 2 hour drive to the temple and then about a 2.5 hour ride back from Pichavaram so it made for a full 9 hour day. I napped for a bit on the way back. :)
Supper at the hotel again tonight. It was buffet night. I think I prefer the buffet as not only do we normally have an incredible selection to choose from; 1 or 2 chicken dishes, usually a fish and a lamb/goat or two, a couple of vegetarian dishes, a couple of chinese style dishes, 2 rice dishes, sauces, 2 soups, dal and a paneer of some kind....plus the salads and don't forget the dessert table. WOW. Ice cream, fresh fruit, a different custard every night, a ghee sweet of some kind, cake, etc. Yep, hard to go hungry here.
The restaurant posts the name of each dish and they have a red or green square on the top corner, non-veg or veg. They also put the spice level at the bottom spicy, medium, light or less. Too cute. Even the sugar packages have a green square on them marking them as vegetarian.
They have done a set menu for us a couple of times where they serve us. The food is always so good....but there is way to much. Last night for instance we had 4 appetizers, a soup, then a chicken dish with veggies and mashed potatoes followed by a dal, a paneer, a curry of some kind, naan and then dessert. Unfortunately by the time we got to dessert our table had gone from 12 to 6 and only 2 stayed for dessert. \We felt bad about potentially wasting the food, but it was almost 10pm and I didn't think I needed any sugar in my system at that point. Our waiter looked disappointed when we left.
Breakfast is buffet style and they always have the same menu but there is so much to choose from you can have something different almost every single day and there is a cook who will do eggs to order. I have been having boiled eggs and toast. I ate the idly for a few mornings and then stuffed dosa a few other mornings but I really just want a bagel with peanut butter and some of my stinky tea at the moment.
We had lunch out today and along with the dal, sweet n sour chicken, rice, roti there were french fries. It certainly was interesting. the little cup of ice cream at the end was delishous and I think everyone devoured theirs.
Tomorrow is a quieter day. We are heading out to Auroville which is only about 10km outside of Pondicherry. It is a large, well known ashram. We will learn about life at the ashram and then walk the grounds before returning to Pondicherry. The team has the afternoon off to shop, sit by the pool or do whatever they like. I am going to head out on my own and have some me time. I told a few people at supper that I'm taking the afternoon off. I will likely head out for a glass of fresh lime soda--sweet and then some shopping. Sari anyone???
I should get off the computer and get some of my mess put away. My side of the room is a bit messy tonight. It looks as though my suitcase exploded.
To those of you who have sent emails--thanks. I may not always get to respond but I am certainly reading them.
Today was a cultural day for the GV team. In the morning we drove to the Chidambaram Temple. (Google it!). It was amazing. Last trip we went to many temples in one day and they were all very impressive in their own way. This temple is HUGE. They told us the priests own about 40 acres of land and a lot of it is the 4 entrances and inner temple grounds. Very impressive. One part that we couldn't go into but could view through a gate was this 'hall' with 999 columns. Each one intricately carved. Amazing.
After the temple we went to Pichavaram which is an eco tourism site for a ride through the Mangrove forest. It was beautiful and it felt great to be out on the boat enjoying the salt water spray, gentle rocking of the waves and laughter of my team mates.
It was a 2 hour drive to the temple and then about a 2.5 hour ride back from Pichavaram so it made for a full 9 hour day. I napped for a bit on the way back. :)
Supper at the hotel again tonight. It was buffet night. I think I prefer the buffet as not only do we normally have an incredible selection to choose from; 1 or 2 chicken dishes, usually a fish and a lamb/goat or two, a couple of vegetarian dishes, a couple of chinese style dishes, 2 rice dishes, sauces, 2 soups, dal and a paneer of some kind....plus the salads and don't forget the dessert table. WOW. Ice cream, fresh fruit, a different custard every night, a ghee sweet of some kind, cake, etc. Yep, hard to go hungry here.
The restaurant posts the name of each dish and they have a red or green square on the top corner, non-veg or veg. They also put the spice level at the bottom spicy, medium, light or less. Too cute. Even the sugar packages have a green square on them marking them as vegetarian.
They have done a set menu for us a couple of times where they serve us. The food is always so good....but there is way to much. Last night for instance we had 4 appetizers, a soup, then a chicken dish with veggies and mashed potatoes followed by a dal, a paneer, a curry of some kind, naan and then dessert. Unfortunately by the time we got to dessert our table had gone from 12 to 6 and only 2 stayed for dessert. \We felt bad about potentially wasting the food, but it was almost 10pm and I didn't think I needed any sugar in my system at that point. Our waiter looked disappointed when we left.
Breakfast is buffet style and they always have the same menu but there is so much to choose from you can have something different almost every single day and there is a cook who will do eggs to order. I have been having boiled eggs and toast. I ate the idly for a few mornings and then stuffed dosa a few other mornings but I really just want a bagel with peanut butter and some of my stinky tea at the moment.
We had lunch out today and along with the dal, sweet n sour chicken, rice, roti there were french fries. It certainly was interesting. the little cup of ice cream at the end was delishous and I think everyone devoured theirs.
Tomorrow is a quieter day. We are heading out to Auroville which is only about 10km outside of Pondicherry. It is a large, well known ashram. We will learn about life at the ashram and then walk the grounds before returning to Pondicherry. The team has the afternoon off to shop, sit by the pool or do whatever they like. I am going to head out on my own and have some me time. I told a few people at supper that I'm taking the afternoon off. I will likely head out for a glass of fresh lime soda--sweet and then some shopping. Sari anyone???
I should get off the computer and get some of my mess put away. My side of the room is a bit messy tonight. It looks as though my suitcase exploded.
To those of you who have sent emails--thanks. I may not always get to respond but I am certainly reading them.
1 comment:
Jennifer:
The temple trip sounds great and it is nice for the hard working team to have a break and see some of what India has to offer.
I can also understand why you need some "Jennifer" time.
Edith
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