Wednesday, January 2, 2008

A day in France....

Well not quite. I'm in Pondercherry and it is a very nice place. It's a town of two halves separated by a stinking partially covered canal. On one side of the canal is the French quarter. This is the stylish, clean(ish), boutique laden and arty side, frequented by white people going "Ooh la laa" and "mange tout rodders, mange tout". It's quite remarkable how French like it is and I do like it a lot.

On the other side of the canal is the more typically Indian area. Litter, cows, goats, beggars, pollution, manic traffic, beautiful women, fresh fruit juice shops by the dozen, cobblers, thousands of motorbikes/scooters/cycles, smell of fresly cooked samosas and samber, people sleeping on the streets, malnutritioned dogs, officials with whistles, the odd westerner, spit (national pastime), smiling children, saree stores, market stalls, tiny cafes, and so it goes on. It is wonderful.

The waiter at my hotel is fixing me up on a hot date tonight. An Indian woman from "Manchester Old Trafford". "You come restaurant at 8:15, she will be here, she is very nice". It's just a rouse to get me into his restaurant - business must be slow at the moment. 3 weeks ago when I arrived in India I would have fallen for it. I know most of the tricks now. I can spot a hawker at 400 metres. If I don't want to be bothered being polite (and it does sometimes get tiring when it's all the time), I pretend to be French - everyone expects them to be rude!!!!! Only joking, I love the French. I actually do my Mig Pilot routine and pretend to be Russian. Seems to work a treat.

Tomorrow I'm going to another seaside place up the coast, halfway between here and Chennai. It was recommended by an Indian couple I met in Le Cafe today. They are working in London for a few years and so speak excellent English. So if you read this, Indian couple, (sorry can't remember your names), enjoy your trip back to the UK and do visit the north of England - it's much nicer than "down south"

Got to go now for my hot date - hot cos all I'll be meeting is a Vindaloo (which I've not seen on any menu yet). Lots of Paneer (cheese) though so I'm in curry heaven. Just thought - last night I was served beer out of a teapot - it's not really accepted here. It was so funny.

I'll post some more pictures when I find an internet cafe able to download from my cameras.

See ya

Mig

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello you, HNY.
Tried booking you in for spinning but because you have 4 weeks of arrears? it was a ‘NO, NO’ until you clear them I’m afraid.
We(Sandra and moi)will be thinking of you tomorrow night 1st Jason class of the 2008 'isolate!!!!!!!'
lol x

Anonymous said...

Have thoroughly enjoyed following your journey...your Christmas day certainly sounded nothing like our hyperactive, children-high-on-E-numbers induced craziness!

Looking forward to seeing more of the photos when you get back, Love Kathryn x

Ladybird said...

Hello from the blogger who met you in Pondy yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year - may we spin till we're thin.

Sounds like your still having a ball.

Yep you have a spinning debt at the sports centre, how did you manage to get a tab?

Shall I try "how many viagra to wipe the debt?"

They mentioned my partner Louise when I rang yesterday, Need to get divorced so she can make an honest woman of me.

xxx

Anonymous said...

Alright there Denty!!

Listen be careful with the currys and in your condition I'm not sure a Vindaloo would do a certain part of your anatomy any good.

:-) x

Michael said...

Hi Louise/San. That damn computer system at Palatine. I have no arrears - how can I when I pay on the door?! I'm going to give them a talking to when I get back.

Michael said...

Hi Ladybird. Got to Mammapuluparuperuparam (I think that's how it's pronounced!!!!!!!!!!!). Enjoy your holiday in My India and I will enjoy my holiday in your UK!!!!

Michael said...

Hi Kathryn. I expect your lump is even bigger now, what with all the turkey and snapjacks you have stuffed down your neck at Christmas! Hope you had a good one. See ya soon

Anonymous said...

I thought the arrears may have been because you'd set up a direct debit and it hadn't been input onto the system. Think you'll have to put them straight when you're back. You're going to be too tired to spin for a few days on your return, though I do see you're getting some bike riding practice in - unless you want Jason to see your lovely brown legs!
Will get you a list of the extra classes @ Palatine.
See you soon x