February 15
Slept for about 5 hours, and couldn’t anymore so got an early start on the day. Took a stroll around the hotel, pretty swank, not quite the Taj in Calcutta, but very nice. The staff here is amazingly gracious, but a bit more distant then at the Taj. Had a great South Indian breakfast consisting of Idlies, Vada, Aloo Paratha, and some various rice/potato mixtures which I do not know the name for. After breakfast I visited the shopping lobby of the Hotel, where I had an interesting conversation regarding my upcoming nuptials. :-) I think my favorite lines from the conversations were: “You mean Black and White? You like black?” and his explanation to me that, “Indian woman are tough, it is not like the West, you cannot see other women when married to Indian woman…” I can only imagine what the general perception of the West is for Indians having never left their home! :-)
Geetha met me at the Chola around noontime for a fairly lazy day, I unfortunately could not get out of my own tracks. Eventually we hired a car: a nice old Tata Ambassador with a somewhat humorless driver and headed out. (Note: relatively comfortable car and driver, 8 hours: $25) Our mission didn’t really have any focus beyond getting me off my butt, and doing something so the day wouldn’t be wasted. Before we left we visited the Hall at the Chola where the reception is going to be held. Seems quite large, but then again I’m told there will be over 100 people attending.
After leaving the Chola we went to another hotel, I think it was called the Kanchi. This is where the actual wedding ceremony will be held. It was interesting, and in retrospect it will be just fine, it will be an adventure to say the least. My understanding is that Geetha and her parents will be staying there the day before the ceremony to get things all squared away, then after the ceremony they will transfer everything to the Chola for the reception. I think all this effort is taking place out of concern for my comfort, which is greatly appreciated, but I wish they had made it easier on themselves…
Our next adventure was a trip to the Spencer Mall, which I belive is the largest shopping center in Chennai. The shops were busy, and ran the gamut of a watch store specializing in Rolex and Cartier, to “Trouser World” where you could buy a pair of pants for less then $3. Geetha kept assuring me that it wasn’t really all that crowded, but it seemed that way to me. I am told that there were some not so nice passing comments about Geetha and I being together at the mall. I was blissfully ignorant, until Geetha told me… and well… I was pissed… but I chalk most of my attitude up to being over-tired. These people lead a hard life, and if they can gain some self-elevation by disrespecting others, well I guess my sympathies are with them. We eventually bought a couple of books in Thamil to use as learning aids as I continue to struggle with this language.
No pictures today, which is too bad, saw a lot of interesting stuff. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that wall outlets have their own switches here, and that the switch is ON in the down position… The camera sat charging all night, in an outlet that was turned off… oops… That’s all rectified, so I should have more pictures for the entry on the 16th.