Villa Helena Pondicherry

My wake up call at 5:30 came at 5:22, sort of the way things work here in India, just not quite on time, a little early, a little late, but somehow it gets done. Didn't matter too much, I had already been awake for 45 minutes at that point, there was no way I'm going to miss that train. . . Paid up my bill at the grungy but friendly hotel Anukool, and stepping outside into the relative quiet of 6 am, I saw taxis. Plenty of them. Around the corners of all streets they were clustered, their dri...

Up in the morning at 8, and off in the van at 9 am. Driving to the spice plantation takes time, as do all things in India, especially when it is some 60 km away. On the way we looked for cigarettes, our driver junping out of the van at numerous locations, looking for our brand of choice, Red and White. Generally they are 12 rupees a pack, sometimes the vendor will charge 15 and keep the extra as a "commission." Funny things, these Indian cigarettes. For one, hardly any Indians smoke, but almo...

Journal entry, March 4: "Last night I slept to the hum of the ceiling fan, and the shoosh of waves on the Arabian Sea. . . charming. . Prakash keeps the place clean, the sanitation is alright, I don't worry about a fly having stepped in **** before landing on me. I'm starting to "get" India--one mustn't be in a hurry here, all things in time, and so it is. No bother, I've always had that sort of streak in me and it is a bit like coming home in that respect. . The whole seaside is like a gigan...

My new guitar became permanently attached to me in the first day of ownership. So good to have music again after a couple of weeks without. Down at the surf club again, after a long day in Arumbol, I entertained my friends with song. Maggie, the owner came over with her guitar, and we played a song or two together, the patrons tapping their feet and listening respectfully. When Maggie sings, you better listen, or she will give you a what for. She's a bit like the tough lady with the heart of ...

Time is relative here in Goa. Some people get stuck here, and that is not only understandable, it is contagious. Already set to stay 6 days, I have stretched my booking for 9. The beach is lined with bamboo hut bars and restaurants, people are relaxed and friendly, the sea is bathwater warm, and every night at exactly 6:30, the sun goes down in a spectacular display over the Arabian Sea. The days are warm and sunny and the nights are cool. Perfect weather, though perhaps a little hot for my l...

After four months in India without any true vacation to speak of, I decided to take two days off and schedule a four day weekend for a getaway somewhere outside of Hyderabad. There are many places I want to visit while I'm living in India...so where to go? I definitely want to save my visits to the Taj Mahal and Goa for when I have some friends in town from the States. Kerala is another location I want to check out, but that too would be better spent with friends. I've already been to Delhi a...