Basically, nothing special happened between Feb 26 and March 5. We went to Mahabalipuram again on Saturday, Feb 28 but this time the purpose was a beach party. First I didn't want to go there (I wanted to go for a trip to a different place) but many people were supposed to come so I decided to go. However, not many people appeared and those who appeared had quite a different idea of beach party than me, Telcio and his friend Rama who came just for 2 days from Hyderabad. So finally we were just sitting on beach, drinking and chatting and it was quite a nice (almost romantic ;o)) night. Next day we went to this luxurious tourist resort again but this time, thanks to my hangover (we were drinking some Indian whiskey), I was quite looking forward to laying on clean, nice beach, swimming in sea and relaxing.
But many things happened after March 5! A friend of mine from Prague (for BS members: Hanka Kodymova) who has been in north India with her boyfriend since the end of January, came to Chennai on Thursday, March 5 for few days. We met on Marina beach (the pride of Chennai), walked and chatted. It was quite a strange feeling to meet a Czech speaking person and moreover a friend in such a huge Indian city. I really enjoyed speaking Czech again and exchanging our Indian experiences which are quite different since Hanka is in India as a tourist and travel a lot, whereas I work, travel by public transport and haven't seen that much so far.
We met again on Friday evening and went to visit Kapaleeswar Temple, one of the biggest and best-preserved temples in Chennai. I pass by this temple every day when I travel to and from my office and I just love it.
Then we went to the biggest shopping mall in Chennai (Spenzer Plaza) where Hanka wanted to by a charm with precious stone. It was really funny because when she was choosing the charm she asked the seller: "Is this silver?" "Yes, yes, madam, silver, silver!" But there isn't any mark on the charm. There should be a mark if it is silver," she said. "Oh no, it is silver, they just forgot to put a mark!" Whow, already this made us laugh - they FORGOT, it happens ;o) Hanka said: "But how can I know that it's silver if it doesn't have any mark?" "Do you want a mark? Wait a second, I will make a mark for you!" he said, took pliers (or what it was) and made a mark on the charm. "Now it has a mark, you see?" He was so happy that he could make it and solve Hanka's problem ;o) Well, although this "proof" didn't convince her, finally she bought the charm together with another one and a chain because it was quite cheap. However, she still has doubts about purity of the silver and stones as well, especially after having read the seller's business card saying 'Specialist in Gems & Jewellery, Imitation Jewellery'...well, this word 'imitation' together with silver purity mark make one feel suspicious ;o)
Our Chennai adventure continued on Saturday when we went shopping (or rather walking and enojoying the atmosphere) to the most famous Chennai market Pondy Bazaar. Here you can buy very cheap (but with questionable quality as well) clothes, shoes, bags and other stuff. Shopkeepers, when they saw two white girls, were persistently trying to get us into their shops, they were showing us everything they had and were assuring us about 'good price, good price'. How big their disappoint was when we didn't buy anything ;o) After one month in Chennai, I finally bought a handbag (it's really nice and it cost Rs. 140=56 CZK!!!) and two western-type tops that I find more comfortable for travelling. Mission accomplished ;o)
In the afternoon we went to visit two famous places in Chennai:
St. George Fort
Lonely Planet guide recommends this 'military architecture marvel' built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD as one of the first places to see in Chennai. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. It served as a home away from home for the officials of the East India Company. This helped in the development of the city of Madras. From historical point of view, it's quite an interesting place. However, from touristic point of view, there's not much to see: one little church called St. Mary's Church, Fort Museum (we didn't go inside) and many old, ruined, empty buildings.
Other 'famous' and 'must see' places in Chennai. Well, not breathtaking, but quite nice ;o)
After seeing these Chennai treasures we were so full of emotions that we decided to go home and take some rest before barbecue party in my house. The party was really nice with many guests and great Brazilian beef ;o)
PS: Some more pictures of Chennai follow
autorickshaw = common means of transport
Sri Rama Krishna Math - place of pilgrimage
typical 'outfit' of rivers in Chennai
everything is of a very good kwality!!!
"Egmore, boss, Egmoooore"
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