Auroville

We visited Auroville today, a community created by an Indian man and continued after his death by his French partner, who is remembered under the name "Mother". The idea was to create a community where people from all nationalities could live together in peace. And that idea still survives today, with more than 1700 people from 36 countries living here and gathering around the MATRIMANDIR, one of the most amazing constructions we have ever seen.

Auroville

It looks like a cross between a golden golf ball and a NASA Mars probe and contains the largest crystal in the world, where all the positive energy is collected.

Whether you believe or not, it was a relaxing place. If you ever want to stay there, you should apply well in advance and be prepared to work at least for 2 weeks there as a paying volunteer. Yes, YOU will have to pay to volunteer.

Peddling on the backwaters

Afterwards we went to Sri Krishna Sweets, which is not a sect but the name of a chain of sweet shops that also do quick lunches. Then we had a siesta (something Vinoth had never heard of) and we also went on a small backwater tour with a pedalo :) We didn't even have to paddle or cycle as vinoth and his friend were in front. They showed us the nests of crabs and it was lovely on the river.

When we came back to Pondi it started raining and in less than 2 minutes the whole street was blank, not surprising if you see the rubbish that people throw on the streets. No wonder everything gets clogged up immediately. Compared to India Belgian cities are clean :)

Rainy Streets of Pondi

We wanted to thank Vinoth and his friends for their hospitality so we decided to invite them all for a true French dinner, something they had never eaten. Since they are vegetarians we got them different Italian and French dishes, like vegetable gratin, roasted potatoes, pizzas... well, the Indians were not impressed by our food. It tasted very bland (normal when you are used to nice spicy dishes) and one of Vinoth's friends said that the gratin looked like bird brain...at least, I think he said brain, but it could have been something else of a bird :)