Thursday, 21 February 2013

Last day in Pondicherry

I have really enjoyed my time here at Mango Hill. I settled into a routine very quickly, involving daily massage, a little trip in a rickshaw and swimming in the pool. The massage/torture has been really beneficial and would probably rate amongst the best treatment I have ever had.

I liked Auroville much more than I was expecting. It was very clean and rubbish free and some of the houses were lovely. As a visitor you don't get to see much beyond the visitors' centre and the bizarre Matri Madir dome, which is the'soul of Auroville' but looks a bit like a giant UFO but it had less of a cult feel to it and it does provide work in the area, there is a sense of community and it is meant to be non-religious- although there is a bit of 'Mother' worship which seems to go on.

Petra my German neighbour and I visited some wacky local temples which was fun and it has been really nice to have some company ( Eric the French man is still in the background but there have been no further developments, although she does talk about him a lot). Most of the other people I have met here have been French or Belgian so I have been speaking lots of French. I've also enjoyed finally installing Skype on my laptop and being able to catch up with friends and family. Talking to Ginny from my balcony as if she were sitting there with me was a surreal experience.

I'm off to Mamallapuram tomorrow, by rickshaw rather than local bus because my driver is very sweet and the journey will be fun and more comfortable....although it will cost at least twice as much. Mamallapuram will be my last stop in India and I intend to enjoy it, although I will be back to basic guest houses.











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