I arrived in Rameswaram by train on India’s south-east coast over a clanking bridge that connected the island to the rest of Tamil Nadu. In those days, there was only the railway bridge to the island from the mainland, so with no cars, everyone walked or biked along the island’s main sandy street.
Continue reading First glimpse of a tamil nadu islandTag Archives: Chennai
my first encounter with india
My Air India flight arrived from Singapore at something like two in the morning. Like a lost lamb, I edged my way through the chaos of coolies and taxi drivers badgering for business. After I slunk into the back of a wonky taxi seat, the driver whizzed through the darkened Chennai streets (Madras back then).
Continue reading my first encounter with indiaJourney into the past
When I first set foot in Chennai decades ago, I stayed near Egmore Station. On my recent return, I decided to venture back to see if there was anything I recognized from all those years ago. Continue reading Journey into the past
Around Chennai
Chennai had stately old buildings but unfortunately, many stood in stained neglect. I idled on busy corners to uncover their past glory while crowds dodged by . Continue reading Around Chennai
Chennai’s Fort St George
I sat in the women’s section of a train that rattled to Fort St George. This was the only place where I enjoyed a real footpath that skirted the circumference of the fort. There were no crumpled sections or potholes. Continue reading Chennai’s Fort St George
People of Chennai
Even though Chennai’s traffic was daunting and it was difficult to walk on a level footpath if there was one at all, I met a number of friendly people. Continue reading People of Chennai
Chennai alleyway street food
After catching ae bus, then another from Mamallapurum to southern Chennai, I idled in alleyways; anything to avoid the roar of traffic on the main road. Continue reading Chennai alleyway street food
Mamallapuram visit
I wandered for several hours through the main heritage site. It was a Friday and filled with more local adventurers than foreigners. Continue reading Mamallapuram visit
Puducherry
I bussed south from Chennai and passed walled plots of coconut plantations, pine trees, an occasional rice paddy field and gained a taste of the old India. But resorts were encroaching on this farmland to the point where some farmers had signs plastered on boundary walls, “This property isn’t for sale.” Continue reading Puducherry
Chennai gems
While I was in the midst of endless traffic and tooting horns I came across two gems in Chennai’s back streets. Continue reading Chennai gems