The time went by so quickly, but it is time to go home. It was nice to see old friends and make new ones. We were able to accomplish so much in such a short time, but I was in no way surprised. A professor of Business Management from Tanjore, Tamil Nadu stressed that it was institutions that needed contractual relationships, but that most things in India were accomplished through personal relationships. My relationships in Madurai stretch back 15 years and I was confident of accomplishing our goals (though, truthfully, I did not know what form success would take).
Since my last visit...
Gas prices have skyrocketed. This drives the increased cost for everything;
Sugar is now optional in South Indian coffee. On previous visits to India, one could expect to get a little tea or coffee with ones sugar! On this visit, it was not unusual for the hotel (restaurant) to not include sugar in the coffee. This hints at a looming obesity/health crisis which you can see in the physical size of people;
There is now a very large proportion (compared to 0% from years prior) of North Eastern immigrant workers. These folks look Southeast Asian (from an American perspective) and stand out against the South Indian population. Prior, the only North Indians present were those from the state of Kashmir fleeing the violence of their region;
Lots of dogs on many of the streets, where before they were limited to certain areas;
Massive egg consumption in restaurants and at home;
Increased food waste in Chennai;
And, lastly, I just could not find a comfortable, air conditioned Cyber cafe!
Since my last visit...
Gas prices have skyrocketed. This drives the increased cost for everything;
Sugar is now optional in South Indian coffee. On previous visits to India, one could expect to get a little tea or coffee with ones sugar! On this visit, it was not unusual for the hotel (restaurant) to not include sugar in the coffee. This hints at a looming obesity/health crisis which you can see in the physical size of people;
There is now a very large proportion (compared to 0% from years prior) of North Eastern immigrant workers. These folks look Southeast Asian (from an American perspective) and stand out against the South Indian population. Prior, the only North Indians present were those from the state of Kashmir fleeing the violence of their region;
Lots of dogs on many of the streets, where before they were limited to certain areas;
Massive egg consumption in restaurants and at home;
Increased food waste in Chennai;
And, lastly, I just could not find a comfortable, air conditioned Cyber cafe!
Good-bye Madurai!
Chuck Norris is no Ph.D!
Nightime shopping Pondy Bazaar
Good-bye Chennai!
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