India...almost there

Hello there, and I’d like to almost welcome you to India.

First things first, Location update as of noon, March 8, 2006 (10.5 hours ahead of EST):
Latitude: 07 degrees 44.2 minutes N
Longitude: 082 degrees 05.4 minutes E
Average Speed: 18.13 knots
Distance to India: 338 NM
Sea Depth: 3838 m or 12588 ft
Sea Temp: 29 C
Air Temp: 28 C
NNE winds at 11 knots with slight seas and good visibility.

You know, I woke up this morning and didn’t feel any different. I’ve lived today, and have still felt no different. (It’s 2120 local time, 3/6) I feel like I should feel different, somehow some way though. When I really sat and thought about where I was going to be tomorrow morning it didn’t make sense; it still doesn’t make sense and I don’t expect it too. I think I’ve touched on the topic of sea travel in past posts, but it is just so hard to explain. The distance we’ve traveled is massive. Unimaginable, really. I feel the only way I can explain is that since it takes X number of days to get from port A to port B…the distance does calculate. It’s not like flying somewhere when you leave one place, fly far, far away, and end up somewhere else. It feels like you should be somewhere else when you get off the plane, it’s different when sailing. The ocean looks no different in the morning as it does at night…besides of course the occasional white cap and dolphin.

India: the largest democracy in the world; population: 1.2 billion - the most populous country per square mile, the second most populated, only second to, that’s right, you guessed it…China. A country where 70% of the population lives in rural or country regions, it is one of the most successful countries in the world; successful does not mean prosperous and wealthy, it means the country has dramatically improved since gaining its independence. And, surprisingly, unlike all the other countries we’ve visited thus far, India is one of the most pro-American countries in the world with 82% of the its citizens saying they generally like America (according to a Newsweek poll). Go figure?!?

India is defiantly one of the highlights of my trip. Not only the seeing and absorbing of the sites, but also most importantly…tasting it. Food, food, food, food, food. I’m going packed with Pepto expecting to get TD…and that’s no worry. We’ve got kind of a joke on board where we do our best to eat the local food and drink all the water so we can get it, because TD is not just Travelers Diarrhea, it the Travelers Diet…helps you keep a slim figure while traveling! HAHAHA, just kidding. But food is defiantly going to be the highlight of my trip.

India is the second largest English speaking country in the world…no surprise considering the wonderful British Empire occupied it until the 60s’. Granted there are about 9 other languages throughout the country, it won’t be to bad getting by with English. Chennai, formerly Madras until 1997 is in the state of Tamil. It’s about a quarter of the way up the coast on the eastern side of the country. Just a note: Bombay is on the western coast, along with Delhi (the capital, in the Northwestern part of the country). People have said that India is one of the most paradoxical countries in the world; no matter what you say about it, the opposite is also true. India is an incredibly Beautiful country, however, it is also an incredibly repulsive nation; India is surprisingly wealthy, but it also one of the poorest nation’s in the world. I think the only thing that doesn’t have an opposite is the awful smell that looms over the country.

As for my trip, we dock (hopefully) at 0800. I’ll be spending the first day right in Chennai, exploring its great, eclectic mix of things to do. My trip leaves at 2130 the first night (03/09//2006). We depart by overnight train for the rural city of Erode for a village home stay. I’ll be frank; I’m not sure if it’s north, south, or west, but my hunch says it’s to the south because there are so many trips going to the north…this one seems to be fit for the south. As we all know, there was a terrorist attack in the Holy city of Varanasi, which is in the north, is now locked down to outside travel. There were two trips going there and they are no longer doing so…needless to say, I’m thrilled with what I choose. And, funny story; part of the reason I choose the trip I’m going on is because in the description. It said, “Your meals will be prepared by your host in traditional vegetarian style.” I was basically a shoe in at that. Especially since India food is by far my most favorite foreign food in the world. I feel like that was a really random and confusing paragraph…but o well.

I’ll be in Erode for three days and take an overnight train back to Chennai and arrive at 0600 in the 12th. Our ship debarks on the 13th at 2300, so I’ll have two more full days in Chennai…and I’m fucking thrilled. From Hindu temples to street theater, and Fort George to Spencer’s Square there is much to do. I’ve been brushing up on the country and culture by way of my good ol’ Lonely Planet guide to South India. From food to beverage, and shops to sites…there is just so much in Chennai alone, let alone the surrounding communities.

Well, I’ll be nice and keep this one brief because let me tell you, I’m sure when I get back on board and recover and get ready to write…I’ll be dumping loads and loads of words onto a page for you to read and enjoy. It also keeps me thinking, so that’s good too.


Well folks, that’s all for now. I’m not sure if I’ll be writing at all while I’m in port. There are multiple internet café’s throughout the city so I’m going to do my best to post some pictures…but I’m not making any promises, so don’t get pissy if I don’t, you winey shits. Well, Cheers for Now!