Rough Ideas

I still can’t put it on on my own. The cleaner helped me after I had taken it off to go swimming!

That’s not the silk sari, as I still don’t have the blouse - it’s an everyday sari.

I went to a department store a bit like Littlewoods and C&A rolled into one. A really lovely assistant took me in, helped me choose my sari, matching ready-made blouse and underskirt. We went to the till, I paid, then she grabbed a friend and the two girls took me to the fitting room to dress me. Then they took me upstairs and chose for me really shiny jewellery (REALLY shiny!!). They painted my nails right there between the aisles. And put rings on my toes because I’m married. It was like a great celebration and everyone was full of friendly appreciation. Then the girls took me back downstairs, where we had our photo taken by the security who had a camera. He took one with mine too! Then I was introduced to more girls and finally, we parted effusively.

I felt again overwhelmed and walked a little along the road (the pavements are not really walkable here, everyone walks on the road).

After I recovered, I tried to get an auto to a park that’s in the guide book. But I didn’t have the book with me, and no one knew it. I ended up at the Ghandi Memorial. I asked the driver to wait, but instead he park his auto and escorted me, carrying my shopping….. We tried to talk a little, with little success as he only spoke Tamil.

But we were both happy.

I’m beginning to realy like Chennai. It’s a bit like Marseille. Just the traffic is not quite as mad there. With a good sense of play and a big grin, you can do more or less anything.
Travelling alone, I’m discovering how important
it is to talk to as many people as possible, not to feel isolated - and what wonderful fun that is!