I haven't posted in a few days, though there's always plenty to tell you about, because I've been miles away from my computer. Even though I hadn't actually started working in the office yet, I was invited to accompany my co-workers to a hill station. Hill stations in India were, for the most part, developed by the British as places to go to escape the blistering heat of summers in India. As you might guess, they are situated in the mountains, where the elevation provides more comfortable temperatures. Now they are popular destinations for both Indians and foreign visitors.
The particular hill station we went to, one of the most popular in southern India, is Kodaikanal, a little over 300 miles from Chennai. Apparently, it's extremely popular in the summer, but this time of year the crowds were manageable.
The interesting thing about the crowd, anywhere we went, was that it was pretty much made up entirely of Indians, with four exceptions (that would be Alain, Steve, Mary, and I). I didn't really think much of that--I'm in India, after all--until a strange thing started happening. A group of Indians (male or female, teens or younger adults) would come up and ask to have their pictures taken with one or more of us. They would pose with us, generally ask where we were from, and then, after several shots, politely thank us. Some of our Indian friends suggested we make a little extra spending-money by charging them. As it happened to me three or four times in just two days, that might be worth a try.
Okay, I've always had my oddities, but they were never apparent enough for strangers to ask to pose with me! To be honest, this has never happened to me in Chennai, where people are just going about their daily lives. The people posing with us were tourists, looking for interesting views and experiences, just not as far from home as we were. Wish I could hear them explain these pictures to their friends back home.
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8 comments:
I shared your experience with Charles and Margaret and they laughed and said the same thing happened to them often when they were there.
The cooler weather must have been a nice change for you. We're anxious to hear more of what you did while there. Did you travel back in the daylight hours instead of sleeping? on the train? Our same friends have been to that same "hill".
This is so funny that you were asked to pose with the folks you should have been asking to pose with!
I wonder if the others would have been asked if you were not with them. Your beautiful hair is quite likely one of the things that attracted them to your group. :-)
Cathy, What a fun way to share your experience. I was in Korea (25 yrs ago - that dates me)and remember the different food, people, crowded buses & streets,foreign language around me, and insane taxi drivers! You make the Indian clothes look good, I like your new wardrobe:-) I look forward to keep up with your travels & experience. Life is so new now, then it will become more "normal" & at times tiring, but in the end you will feel sad to leave.
Cathy, it was nice taling to you last week.
Thank you for the email regarding your blog, it is very nice. Your pictures turned out nice. I'm glad everything is going well for you.
I would like to receive your blogs.
Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Ryan
This is BLOG 101 for school. Mom took us here to see what you are doing. -Tyler
What a great way to keep us updated! I thought of you a few days ago and prayed for your transition, figuring you were probably in India by now. I love the pictures! I've saved this in my favorites and will check regularly.
Hi Cathy,
So glad to hear you've arrived & are acclimating well - the adventure begins! :-) Beautiful outfits - esp. the orange one.
Will keep you in our prayers - if any specific needs, please notify. Do you have a (snail) mail address to receive mail there yet?
Looking forward to "sharing" your experiences thru this blog.
Love, Cindy & Greg
Congratulations, Cathy! I'm so glad this adventure worked out for you! I'm thrilled to be able to read along! Susan
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