Chennai Experiences Part I

Meant to post this last Sunday, but my internet connection refused to co-operate. Read on anyway.

20/2/2005, 1900 Chennai

Vanakam!

That means welcome in Tamil, by the way. We've had 2 full days in Chennai so far, and each day has brought an influx of new things. We have met so many people, and definitely will meet more people in days to come, but the names and faces have all meshed together, and we don't know who to call what. Hopefully in the coming days we will be able to remember names.
I've sort of been in limbo the past few days. India, in essence, is like Malaysia. There wasn't any change in weather, the time difference is minimal to say the least, and, well, you can find lots of Indians in Malaysia too. But of course, there are great chasms of differences. The road system is such that you horn everywhere you go, whether turning, or just going straight. The vehicles all seem to be of the same small size which makes squeezing in and out of traffic so easy for them, and they come so close to the other vehicles that you can reach out and hold on to them.
The Indians have a way of shaking their heads from side to side, without saying anything, in response to whatever you say to them. I've found myself doing that a few times. *shakes head* It is quite infective.
The children here are wonderful! I spent some time during the Tamil church service today playing with a 1-year-old girl. They are captivated by different things than the kids back home. She paid no attention to my little toy dog, but smiled at facial expressions, and actions. The older ones come around you and ask your names, and introduce themselves, in the shy manner in which they speak English. I must say that their English is quite good, seeing that they only have 1 English lesson in school. We've mostly been in contact with girls though, the ones that stay in the CMCT hostel, because they're only allowed to house girls, and boys and girls are to be housed separately. The boys we see are those studying in the Bethany School and they're equally as friendly. People stare and point, and giggle as we pass by, and the children swamp YP and Elena to get their pictures taken, and to see the pictures. Even the adults do that, and smile when shown their photographs. It's interesting how a camera can break barriers.
We had a deluge of fruits yesterday because we went sightseeing at the market. The two complexes we visited housed flowers and fruits respectively and the two places certainly smelt like the wares inside! Fragrances of jasmine, roses, and other flowers were replaced by those of oranges, apples, grapes, bananas and the like when we went from one complex to another. Our "guides" insisted on buying fruits for us, so we ended up with grapes, pomegranates, ciku, and apples, all grown in India. And they were quite cheap too. That night we had a fruit feast of grapes, and today I struggled to finish one pomegranate. At least we're making progress. Other than that, we've been having vegetarian fare. It's nice, but I'd really like some meat. Really really like some meat. I'll never be a vegetarian, and I'm glad for that.
We've been spending time around the lower castes and it's a sorry sight most of the time. Slum areas, stories of children and relatives dying told like telling of the weather, old women who've become accustomed to their day-to-day living of trying to make ends meet. But among all that CMCT is making a difference, by helping them and their children. I'm in awe of the workers here who go day by day trying to help people who don't take their advice. We haven't been helping much though… we've just been shown around the place. Hopefully next week we'll be able to make ourselves useful.
There is one thing that we can do though. CMCT runs a handicraft workshop which churns out wonderful handmade cards, towels, toiletries bags, dolls, towel hangers and the sort. If anyone is interested, leave a comment here! It'd definitely for a good cause, for the workers are from the slums and the proceeds are used to support them and the other children in CMCT. That's all for now, will write more in the following days. With YP along for the ride, I'll definitely get some internet time! Read more at YP's blog and Elena's blog.